Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.
(Hebrews 6:16-18 NLT)Lesson Focus: Crosswalk – when following Jesus gets personal.
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." – Tolstoy
There is a point in each of the gospels when the disciples finally understand that Jesus is going, they don’t get to go, and it sinks in that Jesus thinks they are going to spread the Good News. In John’s gospel Jesus encouraged them by saying, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12) In Matthew’s account Jesus challenged them with a promise. Knowing how lost they felt He said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26 ESV)
Crucifixion is a shocking metaphor for discipleship. A disciple must deny himself (die to self-will), take up his cross (embrace God’s will, no matter the cost), and follow Christ. What are the challenges this promise creates for you today?
Let’s look at our Case Study from the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11.
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. (Hebrews 11:24-28 ESV)
Moses chose to leave a life of great personal pleasures to follow the Messiah (v 26). (die to self-will) (embrace God’s will, no matter the cost) Are there some personal pleasures that tend to get between you and Christ? (i.e. Distractions like TV that you consistently replaces personal worship time)
Following the parable of the rich young ruler Peter feels the need to remind Jesus of the sacrifices He, and the others, had made. Jesus replied with another great promise about dying to self will.
And Peter said, "See, we have left our homes and followed you." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life." (Luke 18:28-30 ESV)
What are some of the ways God has blessed you for taking up your cross and following Jesus?
Moses considered the promises of God to be worth more than the riches of Egypt. How much stuff does it take to make you happy? Last year some researchers from Princeton University decided to find out if money could truly buy happiness, and how much happiness costs. As it turns out, past $75,000.00 a year in household income most don’t get any happier. Only a third of American households make more than that. Obviously there are plenty of us who make less. The point is, being rich isn’t what makes people happy. In the midst of the disciples worldly concerns Jesus said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (Luke 18:27 ESV)
The riches of God always lead us back to the same place - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24 ESV) It’s a crosswalk, “Take up your cross and follow me,” “crucify the flesh,” and a divine game of follow the leader. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:25-26 ESV)
Promises Kept: We have created an information system that tempts us with worldly pleasure constantly if we allow it. A one hour television show now contains only 42 minutes of actual “acting”. That means there are at least 36 commercials. With the new trend of 15 sec. “hooks” you could boost that to around 50 ways to put your cross down and have a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese before you agonize over the setting on your Sleep Number Bed. There is a discipline to the crosswalk. The Message Bible paraphrases the walk well, Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? (Matthew 16:24-26 MSG)
So . . . Stop, Look, and Listen
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