THERE AROSE A COMPLAINT...

Text: Acts 6:1-7.

Delivered on: August 31, 2008. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

1. It is as inevitable as death and taxes.

2. It is as inevitable as the sun coming up in the morning.

3. What am I talking about? “There arose a complaint…” Acts 6:1.

4. Notice that in Acts 6:1, we read that the number of the disciples was multiplying.

   1. Their numbers weren’t just growing, they were multiplying.

   2. The church was flourishing under the leadership of the apostles.

5. Even under these circumstances, brethren will find something to complain about.

   1. Sometimes (as in this case) the complaint deals with a valid concern.

   2. Other times (as is often the case today) the complaint is over something trivial and unimportant.

6. Regardless of the nature of the complaint, it needs to be handled.

7. The leadership qualities that are exhibited by the Apostles here in Acts 6 are truly amazing.

   1. What is the best way to resolve complaints?

   2. Let us notice how they handled it.

8. There are times in all of our lives when these lessons will come in handy.

   1. Whether you’re an elder.

   2. A parent.

   3. An employer.

   4. Or a member of just about any group where there are more than two people working together.

9. You can use these lessons.

10. Notice the text. Acts 6:1-7. Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ² Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; ⁴ but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. ⁷ Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

BODY.

1. THE COMPLAINT. Acts 6:1. Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

   1. Hebrews and Hellenists. Who are they?

      1. At this point in the history of the church, the gospel had not yet gone to the gentiles.

      2. The Hebrews were the Jewish people from the area of Palestine.

      3. The Hellenists would have been Greek speaking Jews from other parts of the world.

         1. Remember that when the church was established, there were Jews from all parts of the world present. Acts 2:5. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.

         2. So, in a sense, this group of people may have been viewed as outsiders.

   2. The Hellenists had a legitimate complaint.

      1. Their widows were being neglected (or overlooked) in the daily distribution.

      2. It is very likely that many of these Hellenists were homeless and the widows especially would be with the means to provide for themselves.

      3. God has always shown great concern for widows and other people who are unable to take care of themselves.

         1. Exodus 22:21-24. “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. ²² “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. ²³ If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; ²⁴ and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

         2. 1 Timothy 5:3. Honor widows who are really widows.

         3. James 1:27. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

2. THE APOSTLES ACCEPTED CRITICISM.

   1. The apostles were the leaders of the church in Jerusalem.

      1. They were the ambassadors of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

      2. They were ultimately the ones responsible for making sure that no widows were overlooked.

      3. As a result, this complaint could have been viewed as a criticism of their leadership.

   2. Notice what we are not told about their reaction…

      1. We are not told that they got angry.

      2. They did not rebuke the ones who brought the complaint to them.

   3. How do we respond when people come to us with a complaint?

      1. Do we get angry?

      2. Romans 12:17-18. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

      3. Proverbs 15:1. A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

3. THE APOSTLES DID NOT IGNORE THE PROBLEM.

   1. There was a real problem in the church.

      1. Either by intent or by accident, some widows were not being given the help that they needed and that the church was required to give.

      2. What if the apostles had taken no action?

      3. What if they had the mentality that many have today and thought, “Let’s leave it alone and the problem will go away by itself eventually.”

      4. When people do this, the problem will sometimes go away but other problems remain.

         1. Like hurt feelings by the ones who were wronged.

         2. Like the negative image the church may have gotten in the eyes of the world.

         3. In some instances, a problem left unchecked can spread through the church and poison it. 1 Corinthians 5:6-7. Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? ⁷ Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

   2. Do we sometimes ignore problems in the hope that they will just go away by themselves?

      1. If we do, the problem may eventually go away.

      2. But all involved will remember that when the problem was there, nothing was done to correct it.

      3. James 4:17. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

      4. Matthew 7:12. Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

4. THE APOSTLES HAD A PLAN OF ACTION.

   1. They called an assembly.

      1. The problem involved basically the whole church.

      2. Therefore, they got the whole church involved in the solution.

      3. They allowed the members to have some control over the solution.

      4. They didn’t stand back and dictate, “This is how it is going to be.”

   2. They delegated authority.

      1. Good leaders delegate authority.

      2. Good leaders don’t micro-manage.

      3. The apostles knew that the most important task they had was prayer and the ministry of the word. Acts 6:4.

         1. This is not to say that they thought the problem before them was insignificant.

         2. If there were no other way to solve this problem than for them to handle it themselves, surely they would have done so.

         3. However, there was a better solution that allowed them to continue their critical work.

         4. They allowed the church to choose seven men who would serve to facilitate the daily distribution fairly.

         5. They realized that every member has a role to play. 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. ¹³ For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. ¹⁴ For in fact the body is not one member but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? ¹⁸ But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where would the body be? ²⁰ But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. ²¹ And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²² No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³ And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, ²⁴ but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, ²⁵ that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. ²⁶ And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

      4. The apostles were using time management.

      5. We must realize that every time we say “yes” to something, we must say “no” to something else.

   3. They retained the ultimate authority for themselves.

      1. Acts 6:3. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

      2. A good leader does not micro-manage, but a good leader also maintains oversight.

      3. The reason that they are leaders is theoretically because they have more wisdom and experience than those under them.

      4. Therefore, they need to keep an eye on things without smothering the process.

   4. Prayer played a definite part.

      1. Notice how important prayer was to the apostles.

         1. Acts 6:4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

         2. Acts 6:6. Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

      2. A good leader leans on God and seeks His wisdom. James 1:5. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

5. THE RESULTS.

   1. Notice the wonderful results. Acts 6:7. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

      1. God was glorified.

      2. Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

   2. One has to wonder how things would have turned out if the problem had just been ignored.

IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST A DENOMINATION???

Text: Various.

Delivered on: August 31, 2008. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

1. It is a question that we have all been asked.

2. “Are you a Christian?” to which we answer, “Yes.” Then, “What denomination?”

3. It is another way of asking, “What type of Christian are you?”

4. Denominations are different groups of people who claim to be Christians but who hold different beliefs and therefore, denominate (or name) themselves.

5. This world is full of literally thousands of different denominations.

6. Is the church of Christ just another denomination?

7. Or is it different?

8. There are at least four things that make the church of Christ different from a denomination:

   1. It’s origin.

   2. It’s doctrine.

   3. It’s unity.

   4. It’s destiny.

BODY.

1. ORIGIN.

   1. Time of founding.

      1. During the times of the Roman kings. Daniel 2:44. And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

      2. During the lifetimes of those present during the ministry of Jesus. Mark 9:1. And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

      3. The church started on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. Acts 2:47. Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

      4. Try as hard as you like and you will not find a denomination around during the times of the apostles.

         1. Denominations came 1500 years later.

         2. Paul had never heard of a Baptist or Methodist.

      5. Some, in order to attempt to justify themselves, say that the church of Christ was started by Alexander Campbell in the 1800’s.

         1. This is simply not true.

         2. We read about the church of Christ in the Bible! How could Alexander Campbell have started it.

         3. The truth is that he was one of the many men who helped to restore the church.

         4. Most of us knew nothing (or at least very little) of Alexander Campbell when we became members of Christ’s church.

      6. Therefore, the church of Christ is not a denomination based upon the fact that it was around long before denominations.

   2. Founder.

      1. The founder and foundation of the church of Christ is Jesus.

         1. Matthew 16:18. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

         2. 1 Corinthians 3:11. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

         3. The church of Christ has no other founder.

      2. All denominations can trace their roots back to men other than Christ.

         1. Methodists – John Wesley.

         2. Lutherans – Martin Luther.

         3. Mennonites – Meno Simons.

         4. Presbyterian – Thomas Cartwright.

         5. Baptist – John Smyth & Thomas Helwys.

      3. Therefore, the church of Christ is not a denomination because it was not founded by any ordinary man but by Christ.

2. DOCTRINE.

   1. A warning concerning false teachers and false doctrine.

      1. Acts 20:29-31. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. ³¹ Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

      2. 1 Timothy 4:1-3. Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ² speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

      3. 2 Timothy 4:2-4. Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

   2. Three areas in which doctrinal error is prevalent.

      1. Plan of Salvation.

         1. Hear. Romans 10:17.

         2. Believe. John 8:24.

         3. Repent. Luke 13:3.

         4. Confess. Romans 10:9-10.

         5. Be baptized. Acts 2:38.

      2. Organization.

         1. Elders. 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 20:28.

         2. Deacons. 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

         3. No councils or conventions or central rule.

         4. Each congregation was autonomous.

      3. Worship.

         1. Pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

         2. Give. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.

         3. Communion. Acts 20:7.

         4. Bible Study. Acts 20:7.

         5. Sing. Ephesians 5:19.

   3. You may find some denominations who observe most of these doctrines but you will not find one that observes all.

   4. Therefore, the church of Christ is not a denomination because of its doctrine.

3. UNITY.

   1. God’s desire for unity.

      1. John 17:20-21. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

      2. 1 Corinthians 1:10. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

      3. Romans 15:5-6. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, ⁶ that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

      4. He wants true unity. True unity comes through obedience to the word. John 17:20.

      5. He wants true believers to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Ephesians 5:11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

      6. This includes even the works of those who claim to be followers of God but who do not teach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

   2. What denominationalism teaches.

      1. Denominationalism teaches that division is unavoidable.

      2. Therefore, God’s followers “denominate” (meaning to name) themselves, as a form of identification.

      3. The logical conclusion of this belief is that God has asked us to do something that is impossible… and we know that He would never do that.

      4. Therefore, the church of Christ is not a denomination because it teaches Biblical unity based upon the Bible alone and not the teachings of man.

4. DESTINY.

   1. The destiny of the church of Christ is heaven.

      1. Acts 2:47.

      2. Revelation 2:10. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

      3. 1 Corinthians 15:24. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

   2. The destiny of man-made churches is Hell.

      1. Matthew 15:8-13. ‘ These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. ⁹ And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” ¹⁰ When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: ¹¹ Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” ¹² Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” ¹³ But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.

      2. Matthew 7:21-23. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

      3. 2 Timothy 3:5. Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

   3. Let it be said that we take no pleasure in the knowledge that anyone will go to Hell. It is especially sad that many who believe in God are going to be lost. Nevertheless, Jesus said it is so.

   4. Therefore, in regard to destiny, we see that the church of Christ is not a denomination.

CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP

Text: Luke 14:25-33.

Delivered on: August 10, 2008. Streetsboro.

Introduction.

1. Disciple = One who follows the teachings of another.

   1. Not simply one who knows the teachings of another.

   2. But one who is an active follower of a particular teacher.

   3. John 8:31. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

2. Only disciples of Christ can be free from sin and its consequences. John 8:32. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

3. We are told to go and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19-20. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

4. While it is the desire of God for all people to be disciples of Jesus Christ, in order for one to be a disciple of Jesus, he or she must meet certain conditions that Jesus set forth.

5. Therefore, today let us consider the CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP.

6. Luke 14:25-33. Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, ²⁶ “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷ And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. ²⁸ For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— ²⁹ lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, ³⁰ saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? ³¹ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³² Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. ³³ So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Body.

1. IN ORDER TO BE A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST… ONE MUST HAVE A CORRECT VIEW OF OTHER PEOPLE. Luke 14:26. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

   1. First let us make sure that we understand what Jesus is saying here.

      1. Jesus is not saying that we should hate our parents in the way that we use the word “hate” today.

      2. The main meaning of the word “hate” is to detest and have malicious thoughts toward another.

      3. That is not the meaning here.

      4. Here is simply means to have a preference for one thing over another.

      5. We can know this because we are also told to hate our own lives.

         1. Obviously, Jesus does not expect us to hate our lives in the sense of detesting our lives.

         2. Matthew 22:39. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

         3. He means that we love God more than we love our life.

      6. So in our passage, Jesus is saying that our supreme love and loyalty must be toward God and not man.

   2. We often neglect to realize how much influence others have on us.

      1. Solomon allowed his wives to pull him away from God. 1 Kings 11:1-8. But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites— ² from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. ³ And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. ⁴ For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David. ⁵ For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. ⁶ Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as did his father David. ⁷ Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. ⁸ And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.

      2. Rehoboam was led to disaster by listening to the wrong advice. 1 Kings 12:3-14. Then Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, ⁴ “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” ⁵ So he said to them, “Depart for three days, then come back to me.” And the people departed. ⁶ Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, “How do you advise me to answer these people?” ⁷ And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” ⁸ But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. ⁹ And he said to them, “What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?” ¹⁰ Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you should speak to this people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us’—thus you shall say to them: ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist! ¹¹ And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’” ¹² So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had directed, saying, “Come back to me the third day.” ¹³ Then the king answered the people roughly, and rejected the advice which the elders had given him; ¹⁴ and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!”

      3. We are warned many times about the influence of others.

         1. 1 Corinthians 15:33. Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

         2. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

         3. How many times have we seen Christians pulled away from the Lord because they allowed the influence of family or friends to cause them to fall?

         4. When we love others more than we love God, there is always a danger of being pulled away from God.

      4. God must be our first love! Even more than our brothers and sisters in Christ.

   3. Therefore, the correct view of other people is to love them but to realize that our supreme loyalty and love belongs to God.

2. IN ORDER TO BE A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST… ONE MUST HAVE A CORRECT VIEW OF HIS OWN PERSON. Luke 14:26b-27. …yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷ And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

   1. Jesus says several things here about how we are to view our own lives.

      1. We are to hate (love less) our life.

      2. We are to bear our cross.

      3. Notice also Luke 9:23-26. Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ²⁴ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. ²⁵ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? ²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

         1. We are to deny ourselves.

         2. Our cross bearing is to be daily.

         3. We are to lose our life for Christ’s sake.

   2. To summarize, we are to give our lives up to Christ.

      1. Many believe that “bearing our cross” simply refers to bearing our burdens for Christ.

      2. I am convinced that it means more than that.

      3. When Jesus bore His cross, He was bearing the instrument of His death.

      4. By bearing our cross daily, we are giving our lives over to Christ for His use. Up to and including even giving up our lives physically if necessary.

      5. We dare not be ashamed of Him. If we are, He will be ashamed of us.

      6. Notice the following passages:

         1. Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

         2. Romans 12:1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

         3. 1 Corinthians 15:31. I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

         4. Revelation 2:10. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

   3. “Whoever loses his life will save it.”

      1. If we desire to save our life (Keep it for ourselves. Not willing to give it up.) we will lose it ultimately in the fires of Hell.

      2. If we are willing to give up our life here on earth, we will find eternal life.

      3. A short time of serving God here on earth will gain a person eternal life.

      4. Nothing that this world has to offer can compare to that promise!

3. IN ORDER TO BE A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST… ONE MUST HAVE A CORRECT VIEW OF HIS POSSESSIONS. Luke 14:33. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

   1. We must be willing to forsake not only family, and self, but all that we have.

   2. This includes our possessions.

   3. We cannot allow our possessions to be more precious to us than God. That is idolatry. Colossians 3:5. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

   4. When you are wealthy (as most of us are) it can be very difficult not to love your possessions. Matthew 19:16-22. Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” ¹⁷ So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” ¹⁸ He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ¹⁹ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” ²⁰ The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” ²¹ Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” ²² But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

      1. Only one thing stood between this young man and eternal life.

      2. His riches.

      3. Jesus knew that his riches were his true love.

   5. 1 John 2:15-17. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

   6. Which do we love more??? Our riches or the Lord???

Conclusion.

1. Jesus wants you to be His disciple.

2. But there are conditions to be met.

3. You must love Him more than people, self, and possessions.

4. Count the cost!

5. If you are willing to do that, then why not become a disciple today through obedience to the Gospel of Christ.