DCLM Sincere Milk 6 April 2022 — The cost of following Christ
DCLM Sincere Milk 6 April 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The cost of following Christ
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TOPIC: THE COST OF FOLLOWING CHRIST
BIBLE TEXT: MATTHEW 16:24-28
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
KEY VERSE: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
MESSAGE:
To every achievement, attainment and accomplishment in life, there is a cost. To every successful story, reward received, history made or established in one’s life, there is a cost. The price you pay attracts the prize you’ll obtain. Following Jesus starts with accepting Him as personal Saviour and Lord. You then continue to follow His steps by taking up your cross and determine to follow Him till the end. This important step goes with a cost.
Jesus laid down the example by taking the: C – Critical decision to O – Overlook His glory so as to S – Save T – The lost. He: C – Considered not Himself but O – Only concentrated in becoming the S – Sacrifice to liberate and T – Translate sinners to become saints in His kingdom. Now, Jesus commands and encourages His friends to carry their cross and follow Him. *Have you ever thought about how much it will cost you to be totally surrendered unto God? Have you ever thought of the price you have to pay in soulwinning before you can confidently obtain the prize as a soul-winner?
The cost of following Jesus is total surrender of your life, all your talent, time and treasure to Him. There is a beautiful crown waiting for you in heaven.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to surrender all to You, take up my cross, and follow You.
FURTHER READING: Matthew 10:37-39
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
