Living In Denial Allen
by Kevin Allen
August 23, 2020 · Centerpointe Apostolic Church (Murfreesboro, TN)
Kind: sermon
Scripture: Matthew 16:21-25, John 1, John 21, Luke 14:33-34, Genesis 8:21, Numbers 28:2, Ecclesiastes 10:1, 2 Corinthians 2:15, Ephesians 5:2, Matthew 10:38, Galatians 2:20, Romans 12, Genesis 3:4, Luke 14:25-27, Galatians 5:24, Luke 9:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Lamentations 3:21, Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 26:37, John 12:27, Psalms 69:20, Matthew 26:39

Source: https://acts238.life/repository/sermons/kevin-allen--living-in-denial-allen
Published by Acts 2:38 Life from the sermon transcript on that page.
Free to copy and share with attribution.

------------------------------------------------------------
We're gonna go to Matthew chapter 16. I'm going to read a few verses of scripture. Today glad to see everyone with us appreciate all of our guests that. Are here today we're so honored to be part of this service happy? That you're here with us and all those who are watching online around the world thank. You for being with us and part of this service today Matthew 16 says. This from the time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples how. That he must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders of the chief priests. And scribes and be killed and be raised again on the third day. Then Peter took him and began to rebuke him. Now you just know this isn't going to end well any time you're going to pull the messiah aside. And say hey we need to talk about what you're saying here this isn't going to end. Well so he takes him aside he begins to rebuke him saying be. It far from thee Lord this shall not be unto thee. But he turned and said unto Peter get thee behind me Satan and.

Look at your neighbor say ouch man that was rough I don't know about. You but I would probably always remember that moment you know life gives. You some of those moments you're just never going to forget and I guarantee. You Peter never forgot the moment that Jesus turned to him and referred to him as Satan. Then he says thou art an offense unto me for thou savers not the things. That be of God but those that be of men then Jesus said unto. His disciples if any man will come after me let him deny himself take up. His cross and follow me for whosoever will save his life shall lose. It and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it and for a little. While I want to preach to us today living in denial Jesus we love. You and thank you for your presence that we've felt already today God I pray. That your will will be done in this place Lord anoint us to receive. Your word which is already anointed in Jesus name we pray and amen. Now this is an interesting passage of scripture.

Because I don't know about you but it it feels like there there could be a little better way to. Do some recruiting seems like maybe he should have read a couple of zig ziglar quotes or? Maybe brought up a few more things it might have been a little bit more appealing besides referring to the method. That if you're going to come after me you're going to have to deny yourself and. Then he goes on and begins to talk about an instrument of death. That they were very familiar with now it it feels like in in using human logic. If we were going to go out and recruit some people to come and be a part of. What we're doing the last thing we would want to say is you know? What once you come be a part of what I'm doing why don't? You grab up your electric chair or grab up your lethal injection syringe and. Come after me and we're going to do some great things that seems like a mixed message doesn't. It you kind of be sitting there maybe scratching your head a little bit going like wait a minute.

No you want me to grab what and follow you. Because that's exactly what Jesus was doing when he said if you're going to. Come after me you're going to have to take up your cross he's speaking to a group of individuals. Who the cross wasn't quite the symbol that we have in our world? Today now we we we are very respectful of the cross and I'm thankful for the cross of Calvary. And what all it represents some people have unique way that they they respect. That cross but quite often it doesn't have near the impact in the world. That we live in today as it did when he was speaking to. This group of people the cross wasn't just the cross at Calvary the cross represented anything. That rebelled against rome the cross represented what happened to you if you didn't fall in line. And become obedient to what the law had to say that's what the cross represented in fact many historians have noted. That anybody that tried to go against the roman authority anybody that tried to buck the system. And there were a Lot of so-called messiahs of the day who had revelations from eating bad pizza overnight.

And decided to proclaim that they were the savior of the world rome dealt with them very swiftly in fact history goes on to tell us. That that cross was a part of the landscape of the day you would. See dead bodies hanging on crosses all around. Because rome wanted you to know don't you ever forget what happens to. You if you buck the system so when Jesus comes to this group of people and as. He's beginning to explain what he is going to have to do and. Then Peter's kind of bold saying hey that that's kind of negative talk. Jesus I don't think maybe you want to say the words you're saying. Because it seems to be demotivating what's going on and Jesus turns to Peter and says hey Satan. Why don't you get out of the picture right? Now because you're too concerned with the things of man you're not really worried about. What the kingdom's trying to do in this moment and then he spins to? His disciples his followers the ones who he has had a very intimate relationship and. He begins to explain this if you're going to come after me you're going to have to take up a cross.

And follow that just seems like a radical way to recruit people. But it is what Jesus decided to do the cross had a real clear message and. Jesus speaking on this subject was basically saying if you're going to come. After me you better be ready to die and I'm wondering today does. It feel to preach this message we really ready to die. Now the death I'm speaking about and it's the same death that Jesus. Was referring to wasn't an actual physical death even though some of them did die? What he was referring to is you dying out to self see we? Are living in such interesting times when there seems to be a an overwhelming surge of people? Who claim to be christian yet it seems as though the christianity they're living for? Is whatever feels good to them in the moment and I have been studying? This word of God for over 25 years and I'm going to tell. You right now I have found no place where it says in his scriptures. That I can take God and to fit him into any way I want him to be matter of fact the more I study.

This word out and the deeper I go in and understanding what scripture says the more I. Come to an understanding of that Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. Jesus does not change it is not a part of who he is. He has maintained the same and because of him staying the same we have the ability to understand. Who he is now what I'll bring this up? Because so many people want to have an experience with God and not live a life dedicated to. God as long as he's conveniently on my side in the moment I need him. I'm all on board but what about this dying out to self business. That seems a little heavy-handed in the world in which we live in. Today another time Jesus put it like this in Luke chapter 14.. So likewise whosoever be of you that forsaketh not all say all that. He hath he cannot be my disciple man that seems a bit extreme doesn't. It let's look at that again these are red-lettered words Jesus specifically says. That if you don't forsake all you cannot be my disciple.

Now do you know what all means all exactly I don't have to explain. That one you know you can go to the greek and it means all right revelation right. There for you so he is saying that there cannot be anything that comes between. You and I in fact he goes on in verse 34 to say salt. Is good but if the salt hath lost his savior wherewith all shall? It be seasoned it is neither fit for the land nor yet even for the dunghill I think. We get that picture but men cast it out he that hath ears. Let him hear and let him hear do you notice it says all oh everything in. My life must be weighed against where it stands in comparison to Jesus everything. Now God you wouldn't really mean that that it's going to interfere with the kind of house I live in. God you don't mean it's going to interfere with the job I might have. God you don't want me to live in some kind of uncomfortable lifestyle would. You God he wouldn't want to be to be.

So caught up that I end up sacrificing my dreams and desires well. I'm gonna give you some information that's exactly what all means all. Now I know this isn't a popular prosperity message I preached today. But I've always promised you I will preach you the truth and the word of. God from this pulpit and for me when I see what he is requiring. There is no no gray area here he is simply black and white I will have all or I will have none salt. Is good but if it loses its savor it turns out ladies and gentlemen? That God is very concerned with you and I being savory in fact. I'm going to read you a few passages of scripture just. So that we get a clear picture and understanding of what it is. That God is expecting look at your neighbor and say God expects us. He's expecting for you and I to live a way that is savory Genesis 8 21. And the Lord smelled the sweet savor and the Lord said in his heart I will. Not again curse the ground anymore for man's sake for the imagination of man's heart.

Is evil from youth neither will I again smite anymore every thing living as I have done numbers 28-2 command the children of Israel sent to them? My offering to my bread for my sacrifices made by fire for a sweet savor unto me shall. You observe to offer unto me in their due season ecclesiastes 10 and 1 dead flies caused the ointment of the apothecary to send forth the stinking saber. So does a little folly in him that is reputation for wisdom and honor second Corinthians 2 15. For we are unto God a sweet savior of Christ and them that. Are saved and in them that perish in ephesians 5 and 2 and walk in love as Christ also has loved us? And hath given himself to us an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savior. I'm going to ask you a question how are you smelling right. Now he said well pastor kevin that's a little weird well I'm not going to ask. You to smell your neighbor okay but I'm asking you as far as God's concerned. Are you living in such a way that your life is a sweet smelling savor unto him?

When you cross his mind is it fond memories when he evaluates the life. You live your comings and goings your daily actions your decisions your behavior. Is is God happy with the smell you're admitting? Because I can't help but read what I just read in the word of. God and come to this understanding that his desire is for me to live. That way we would love to soften the words of Jesus and and make them uh loose enough to accommodate the desires. That we have in our life and we don't mind being driven. But but not so fiercely that I have to make major decisions based on. What God might want out of my life? But here's the issue Jesus is relentless Jesus says half commitments are not worth anything in fact. He believed it so much that he went ahead and set an example and said I'll show. You what I'm talking about and he went to Calvary first to show. You that I'm all in for you I love this. Because God always does that God always goes and sets the bar and says.

Look I'm not going to ask you to do anything that I won't be willing to. Do first so he went and said look you're going to have to take up a cross in order to know? How to do that I'll show you what it looks like half commitments make? You miserable because you're torn all the time between do I really follow him and. How much can I hold back for me? So I'm asking you today in this place are you fully committed to. God are you fully committed to God or are you more than just chris a christian in word or. Are you really a follower of Christ in every area of your life? Not just the parts where people are paying attention to most of the time. But are you living a life everywhere including online to please God how. Are you measuring up how are things going for you Jesus says this on? Another occasion Matthew chapter 10 verse 38 and and he that taketh not. His cross and followeth after me is not worthy not worthy these are. Again red-lettered words Jesus says himself if you refuse to pick up the cross.

You're not worthy of what I did he defineth his life shall lose. It he that loses his life for my sake shall find it this. Is the real issue here today is this do I really believe that? Jesus is worthy of following I'm asking you it should feel a little bit uncomfortable. If you're not where you need to be is he worthy of you following. Is he worthy of you given your life Jesus always presents us with a choice in the beginning of gospel John? You heard me say this just a few weeks ago it starts out by him giving the disciples a choice in the last chapter in the gospel of John. He's looking at Peter and again he has given him the same choice both times. It was simply this follow me follow me we live in such a self-sufficient world and. We all want to be leaders and nobody wants to follow you have to understand. His desire is to lead your life are you allowing him to lead. You see there's there's something that we struggle with and I call it the cain's.

Not sure it's proper english but the canes you ever ever have a a case of the cain's. Now you don't go get a shot for this. But you have to recognize that it's there as a part of your life. See when we live a life following Jesus it's going to be built on the foundation of death to self. And if you're not willing to deny yourself you can't follow Jesus he doesn't allow. It it won't take place there there is there is permission that has to take place. So some people struggle with the cain of permission I just can't do. That I I can't do that and and here's the deal when you. When you run into the cain of permission then you also run headlong into the cain of impossibility. So you're ready for this if you don't take one note all day here's the note. You need to take don't miss this one simply this whatever I refuse to die to competes with. Jesus and it will always win whatever I refuse to die to competes with. Jesus and it will always win that's why you have to figure out the areas of.

Your life where you have not 100 bought in. Because whatever that is that's the very thing that will keep you from being. Who it is he wants you to become that's why you need to to to pursue? It you need to ruthlessly pursue whatever it is in your life that. You refuse to die out to because I promise you this God knows. What it is and so does the enemy and the very thing that? You're going to fight the battleground on is the very thing you refuse to die out to. And whatever prevents you whatever it is that keeps you today from moving forward in the spirit. Is the same thing that's going to keep you from going to Heaven? If you're curious as to what it is that's going to prevent you from being in Heaven. It's whatever you don't die out to he said oh oh oh oh everything. So let's get real concrete here today Jesus says if we're going to follow him. We must begin dying to ourself so what does that mean see I believe quite often. This gets misunderstood quite often this even becomes a little bit offensive to.

Some a little bit taken back if you're looking for this message to calm. You down and soothe you and tell you the way you're living is. Okay it's not that kind of message this is not that kind of church and. I'm not that kind of preacher see I have a responsibility and obligation according to the word of. God either do what he asked me to do or that your blood. Is required at my hands but if I preach the word of God and? What he lays on my heart then I can hold my hands up in innocence and say? God I preached exactly what you told me to preach. Now listen self-denial is not self-rejection are y'all okay with this self-denial is. Not self-rejection self-denial is not self-protection it's a very good thing that you're alive and. God is delighted that you exist and you should be too it's not false humility self-denial. Is not trying to pretend that you're worse at something than you really? Are that's not it you don't have gifts that God's given you you? Are uniquely created and equipped by him everything that makes you you God put?

There on purpose everything about you he designed intricately knitted all together to make. You you but it only comes alive when you give it back to him. It only comes alive when you when you offer your life back to. God and say everything that I have and everything that I'll be I'm given to. You God to use in any way you desire and in that moment. When you die out to self then you can fully become what it. Is he has designed you to be self-denial is not that you have to give up anything? That has joy or happiness self-denial is not the same thing as being a door matter or being in relationships where people just roll over. You that's not it self-denial was the process of being liberated from the compulsive need to have. Your own way I'm going to say that again self-denial is the process of being liberated from the compulsive need to always have. Your own way it's to live in such a way where you ask. God what is your will for my life see I can learn and I.

Can survive without my will being done I can matter of fact I've learned? I'm going to explain this here in about five more minutes of how alive. You really are when you submit yourself fully over to him self-denial is the process of being weaned off of selfish attitudes. And sinful appetites that as it turns out can can never ever really lead to any kind of life. It always leads to more and more misery. Because the the flesh will never be satisfied we see this all around the society. We live in how many people seemingly have everything they could ever possibly want in. Their life yet they're the most unhappy miserable people why. Because as long as you're trying to make self happy it's an endless quest. That will never be satisfied but the moment you learn to turn those things over to. God and say I'm not about making myself happy anymore God I want to make. You happy it's in that moment you become alive. Now some of you don't believe me some of you don't believe me. But hopefully if you give me a couple more minutes I'll try to convince.

You to self is always the death of the lesser false sinful self. So that the better more noble more glorious God honoring self can become alive. So that you can learn how to truly flourish it's very important to understand. What dies and what comes to life and there's no other way to? That life than denying sinful self that's why we must ruthlessly pursue it and find out. What it is he wants us to do in our life I'm a? I'm a firm believer I believe it I preach it I teach it I tried. My best to convince you everybody's a minister everybody's a minister everybody has a ministry everybody has a calling everybody has something. That God has designed you to be you may never be a person. Who pastors a church or or preaches across a pulpit that doesn't make me any better or? You any less than me because what's important is when you figure out. What it is God designed you to be it's in that moment when? You come to an understanding that he has purposely put things in you. So that you can benefit his kingdom that's why he designed you that's.

Why he made you that's why he is always pursuing after you? Because there's something great and grand he has planned just for you and. Your plan and your purpose is different than my plan and my purpose and. How you'll affect the kingdom is way different than how I affect the kingdom? What I have realized in my life is you have no idea just like I have? No idea exactly what benefit we will play in this life only eternity will tell. But I've realized and understood this that the moment I committed my life to. God was the day I became alive I thought I was alive before. But it was all empty hopeless dreams that was shattered and broken. But the day I came to God and said I don't have much to give. But here it is he took what little I had and he's made much of. It I didn't do it on my own I'm not smart enough I'm. Not bright enough but God says I'll come alongside you I'll bless what. You do I can use you for my kingdom and some of you have yet to realize.

Your potential some of you have led yet to realize and engage all. That God wants to do and can I say this for just a minute and I feel. This in the Holy Ghost some of you some of you have have experienced the setback in. Your ministry and you've convinced yourself that you bought into something that wasn't really. There I'll rebuke that in the name of Jesus Christ sometimes things don't go according to. Our plan but it doesn't mean it didn't go according to his plan I feel good saying. That some of you have sat back and you and you've pulled back the reins. Because you were 100 bought in and you were given everything that you had to give. And you were thinking God was fixing to bust the doors wide open and. You were going to go at hell with a water pistol and all of a sudden. You fell a prey to the wave that overcome you and you felt like. Maybe you missed a boat I don't believe for a minute you missed the boat. Maybe the timing was off and what was going on.

But the calling of God is without repentance the calling of God is without in other words. God has not said oh I regret I asked them to do that. No not one time but I'm telling you the enemy will play and he'll. Come into your mind and try to convince you that what you are doing. Is not what you were supposed to be doing it was all made up in? Your head and I'm telling you that is not true. But I'm looking at an army of people who are sitting here and I want to tell. You pick up where you left off and start fighting again don't you dare. Let the enemy convince you that you are not called by him we have too much to. Do and the hour is growing too late now's not the time for? You to be taking a back seat and what's going on. Now is the church's finest hour there's never been a more important time for. You to be doing what God called you to do than right. Now so get up get up get up and fight get up and fight get up remind yourself of.

What God called you to do Paul puts it like this and these? Are very deep words he says in galatians 2 and 20 I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet? Not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I live. Now in the flesh I live in the faith of the son of. God who loved me and gave himself for me Paul was saying hold or really live I had to die to really live I had to give up the things. We're talking about a guy I mean he he was a jews jew. He knew the letter of the law he was a guy that you didn't go toe-to-toe. And try to quote scripture on because he would just own you well all of a sudden. God come down and struck him down blind saul saw wow persecute us thou me what's funny as. That scripture so I wasn't persecuting Jesus he was persecuting the church. But Jesus said you're persecuting me Paul had to come to an understanding. That it wasn't about being so legalistic that you push away ever having a relationship with.

God so much to the point that God himself had to stop him on the road to damascus. And wake him up and say you're missing the boat you're missing the boat saw matter of fact I got something I need. You to do but before you can do it you got to die to. You you got to die out because as long as you're going down the path. You're going I can't use you matter of fact I have to resist. You I have to oppose you I have to stop you I may even have to blind. You to keep you from doing what you're doing. Because my kingdom's gonna grow now I would rather do this with you. But if you keep pushing it I will stop you. Now I look at this verse of scripture it doesn't mean that we have to become. Some kind of strange person that doesn't have you know normal desires and passions. That's not what this is saying it doesn't mean we have to be. So consumed with with all things that are God that we can't have. Some kind of semblance of normal life there not what he's saying at all.

No but but I love when Paul says I've been crucified in other words I have brought. My flesh under subjection because just as Jesus identifies with his crucifixion we. Come to identify with him through crucifixion what is it it's simply this ladies and gentlemen. It's participation see you got to be very careful. Because what's being pushed in mainstream christianity today is consumerism it's consumerism it's coming. Here and we're going to make it as comfortable as we can we're going to make. It pleasant as we can we're going to sing the songs that are just right. We're going to try to accommodate every whim. So that everybody is always happy right temperature right sound right look everything's got to be just right. So that you come in and we're going to preach you something that's always going to leave. You here feeling good about yourself consumerism that is not what the word of. God is about it's not about you leaving feeling good that word that Paul used. There in galatians 2 20. That very first word there the word I. If you look at it in the greek the way it's translated the word.

Is simply e g o I'm making this up you look it up yourself? Do a little interlinear study right there e g o guess what word? We use in english language that came from that word ego do you think. It's a coincidence that Paul says ego is crucified with Christ um. Now has anybody here ever had a problem with your ego I know a little nervous a little nervous. There isn't it I'm not gonna make you raise your hand I'm not. Now some of you honest I'll raise my hand yeah my ego's it's gotten me a Lot of trouble yeah. It has I've been I've been been been called back many times. Because of oh ego there's a story oh mayor Daley in Chicago was famous for being one of those last of the big time bosses always barking everybody should just be. There he had a staff writer one time that went in into his office and asked. For a raise and he said raise this I'm gonna give you a raise. It should just be an honor you worked for a great american hero and sometime later.

He was giving a speech on veterans day he goes up to get. His papers and he's in there and he says I want you to know. Your veterans I have not forgotten you and I have put together a proposal a 17-point program both at the federal. And the state level that's going to help you out veterans get you in a better place. And he's beginning to read through the speech. Now the deal is he didn't write this speech. So as he's reading through it he's thinking himself man this is pretty good. He was excited himself to see what the 17 points were and when. He flipped the page over it simply said this you're on your own. You're great american hero you got to be careful ego will get you in trouble it'll bring. You down we live in a society that exalts the ego to where. It's about being number one it's all about you your way whatever makes. You happy we live in a world that's all-incoming all-encompassing how be what. You want to be in fact that seems to be the american direction.

We're going is that that whatever anybody comes up with decides that they want to be believes. That they are in their heart of hearts we have to receive it and say. It's okay we have to be very careful. But how far will that ego go because ego has a way of edging. God out the first step in coming in contact with God is learning. How to deny so what we're going to do is we have to learn? How to level the playing field now I got a little exercise for us in? This room everybody okay we're doing a little exercise not a physical exercise. But it's a little participation everybody okay all right here we go this involves. Your neighbor okay I want you to turn to your neighbor and this. Is how I want it to go I want you to say you know? My name is and whatever you do so I would say my name. Is kevin okay so turn to your neighbor and say my name is and? I'm an egomaniac there you go there you go you know what do.

You feel that that was a Lot of truth just spoken in the church right. There a Lot of truth this is helping us get in the place where. We need to be today it's going ahead confessing I'm an egomaniac given the option by default I'll always go into self-preservation I will protect myself I'll be about me. That's why every day I got to learn to get up and make a conscious decision to step off the throne of. My life and say God that place belongs to you you've heard me say. This more that's what Paul said in chapter 12 of Romans I beseech. You therefore brother and by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice what's the difference about living living sacrifice. Can get off the altar anytime it wants to because it's still a alive? That's why I have to make a decision every day I'm dying out to self. Because every morning I wake up guess what I'm sitting back on the throne. Again it's the default position that I have to willingly step down off of and say.

God I don't belong there that's your spot today I commend myself to. You that's why he asked us to take up our cross in the very beginning. It all started Genesis chapter 3 this way verse number 4 and the serpent said in the woman. You shall not surely die liar liar I don't know he was a serpent I. Don't know if he had pants on for God doth know that today? They eat thereof your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as gods there's the appeal right. There ego oh I could be a God wait a minute hold on stop the bus I. Can be God if I eat that the very first sin was all about edging? God out because that's what our ego does it messes it up if mankind would have obeyed the law in the first place the world wouldn't be in the shape. It's in come on you want to know what's wrong with our society. Today first of all explain it in three letters s-i-n sin right there. But if you want to go a little deeper I'll tell you what.

It is we're living in a world where nobody's ever wrong we're living in a world wants to take away all absolutes. We're living in a world where if I can justify it it makes. It okay we're living in a world that if you don't agree with me. You hate me that's the world we're living in right. Now this is stuff we're facing and it's eroding all around us Jesus stakes. His claim with you having full devotion and you need to die out to. That wannabe God called ego one time he says it like this in Luke chapter 14 verse 25. And there were the great multitudes with him and he turned and said to him. If any come after me and hate not his father and his mother and. His wife and his children his brother and his sisters yeah his own life also. He cannot be my disciple did you see that that's red-lettered words Jesus says. You got to hate your mama and your daddy and your kids and. Your wife now some of you I know have been looking for this verse.

Your whole life I've seen some of you grab your Bible like where. Do you say that was it I gotta we got family reunion coming up I need to be like I gotta hate? You that's what the word of God said. Now you know that's not what I said look at verse 27 and whosoever doesn't bury. His cross and come after me could not be my disciple. Now obviously Jesus who told us to love everybody including our enemies he's. Not saying that you hold anybody in contempt and that you allow that hatred inside of. Your heart to brew towards somebody else that's not what he meant it's very strong words. Here and I don't have enough time to break down and do an interlinear study on. This but it's worthwhile if you've got some time to go and study out exactly. What he is saying he's using very strong language into what it is in? Your life that gets top priority because whatever it is that gets top priority. That's what is loved and everything else becomes second and that's exactly what. Jesus is saying he goes I have to be top and everything else has to.

Come underneath there it doesn't mean you hold it in contempt it doesn't mean. If your family or your job or your sports those things that you can't have. It says if those things get in the way if it's your family. If it's your job if it's your hobbies it's your self-image if it's. Your appetites if it competes with God God has to win every time. It means to love versus hate and the sense of priority in this verse the idea. Is Jesus is saying if you're going to follow me there can be? No rival in your life there is no close second there is nothing. That competes with me and should get in the way and if that sense and. It's in that sense that you have to hate your family you have to hate. Your job you have to hate your insatiable appetite for more and hate the endless addiction. For approval from other people and you hate the applause of the world. Because if that is all you want he will never be Lord of. Your life Paul says this in galatians 5 24 and they that are Christ have crucified the flex flesh with the afflictions affections get all.

My elves mixed up affections and lust you see this isn't a one-time deal and. I'm afraid that so many in our world view it that way that has. Come down and please understand my heart when I say this okay please understand. That I I'm about to say what I'm saying and I mean it from the best place. But there are individuals who come down and they'll make a confession with. Their mouth that he is Lord and they feel like that one time confession seals the deal. And from that moment on they go on and live any way they choose to live. And they're okay that does not hold up here it does not hold up. Here can you take a verse and say that sure. But are you going to base your soul sum total of salvation with him on a verse. I'm not willing to take that risk I'm going to tell you ladies and gentlemen I opened the whole thing up. Because he gave me the whole book he gave me the whole thing and I better know. What the whole thing says I better understand and comprehend what thus saith the word of?

God not what thus saith a verse the truth of the matter is. You can take in one verse through the matter is you can take. This book and make it say anything you want to say you can chop. It and dice it and trim it mold it shape it and form. It and you can justify any desire you have in your life. But that doesn't mean that's what the word of God said you better know. What the word of God said you better have somebody that has the ability to rightly divide the word of? God and teach you what thus saith the word when I deal this as a one-time deal I immediately face. Another problem because you can come in you can come in and you. Can you can shout the rafters down I mean you can you can bite the sheetrock? And kick holes in the wall and I mean we're an absolute church. We buck and shout and snort and spit and holler and we do. It all we get going because Jesus comes in we get excited. But you can do all that and walk right out that door and be as lost as a goose.

Because it ain't about how much you flip and flop and roll and shout and. How much you speak in tongues it's about taking up a cross and following? After him so here's another part and it's key in the teaching of. Jesus he says it's in Luke 9 verse 23 if any man will. Come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross what's. That next word what's that next word he didn't just say one time did. He he didn't just say if the preacher's preaching really good he didn't just say. Well if it's camp meeting time he didn't just say well if you're. So down and out and you're so depressed in that moment you come in. It's all that what's this say what's the word oh what does Daley mean. Well you get y'all bright bunch daily take up the cross daily and follow me. Why did Jesus have to say that because if it wasn't there guess? What we'd do we'd pick it up whenever we wanted yeah it'd be like? That treadmill that you got all your ironing hanging on whoo pastor stepped on toes didn't I yeah daily.

He had to come back and say it's a day by day deal day by day the aim of self-denial. Is freedom isn't it isn't that what it's about having this emptiness lost and the reason? It's hard for us to see is when we get attached to something. We feel like we we're there but we have this world we get in where. We end up getting addicted we feel alive when that addiction is there. When it's around us and it can be alcoholism it could be sex. It could be applause it could be drugs it could be materialism whatever. It is whatever it is people get addicted to the crazing addicted education and degrees and all. This stuff that goes on and none of it in itself necessarily is bad. But where is it going where's it going what are you putting on. It you see we end up getting this little burst of gratification and satisfaction and. It's in those moments what do we do I feel alive in that moment like Julie Andrews. I'm alive some of y'all get that a few father daughters you get.

That that was funny but the rest of time you feel kind of dead. You think if I deny myself if I lose the habit I'll just feel dead all the time. Because it's only in that moment that little temporary moment when I feel like. I'm the most alive that is there and without it you know I'm dead. I'm dead because I don't have a drink I don't have a hit I. Don't have whatever it is that you're looking for I'm gonna be dead and? Then what happens you see the ultimate goal of self-denial is to not to walk around with. This stagnant empty feeling hollowness inside of you that you always are missing something let's arrive at the day. When you're simply dead to the things that once held you captive to know. That it doesn't invoke and doesn't enslave your emotions anymore and that you. Are free liberated to do what God built you to do? Because we're made alive in him second Corinthians 5 17 therefore if any man be in Christ. He is a new creature yeah lamentations 3 21 this I recall to.

My mind therefore I have hope it's of the Lord's mercies that we. Are not consumed because his compassions fail now they are new every morning great? Is thy faithfulness great is that faithfulness oh it's understanding that what I gave up? It pales in comparison to what I gave what what what once had me. What what what I once convinced myself was really living what I once convinced myself? Was helping me escape from the worries and the cares of life it? Was only enslaving me and entrapping me for more and more addictions to the point? That I was never satisfied to the point that I was literally losing. My mind but God comes along and says just give it to me give. Your life to me give yourself to me take up your cross and in doing. So you find life you find the freedom you find the joy that. Is there is it hard work yes some days it is hard work? Yes sometimes it doesn't always go according to plan. But I'm telling you there is more fulfillment more peace more happiness more joy on.

This side of things than there ever were when I was in the world oh I had a few fun moments. Yes there are things in the world that are fun. But they're only temporarily fun I'm talking about eternal satisfaction and happiness how about committing myself to. God by taking up my cross and following it every day as I get ready to close the Bible tells us. That Jesus was tempted like you and I he was tempted to let. His ego drive hebrews 4 15 says for we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of. Our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin as the earthly ministry of. Jesus was beginning to reach its climax he was heading towards the end. He goes to the garden of gethsemane the place of great suffering the place. That I can't even fully imagine the weight that was upon him and I believe in. This place more than any other it was Jesus face and his ego the man. Jesus says he is there dealing with the popularity dealing with the ministry.

That had grown to this height to where he had a following and people were going everywhere. He was people just wanted to be near him just to touch him and be in. His presence he was fully man and fully God and that fully man side I guarantee. You there was a Lot of ego that was getting to play in. What was going on so much so that he cries out to his friends and says will? You go and pray with me will you just go and pray with me. We see the man struggling in these moments Matthew 26 37 says he took within Peter. And two sons of zebedee and begin to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Why because he knew what had to be done he knew what awaited him? He knew the beatings he knew the crown of thorns he knew the nails. He knew the cross he knew it all John 12 27 says. Now my soul is troubled and what shall I say father save me from. This hour but for this purpose I came to this hour he he's wrestling within himself to try to get.

His mind around that he doesn't want to go where he knows he has to go knowledge alone. Was not enough action had to be taken Psalms 69 and 20 says reproach has broken? My heart and I am full of heaviness I looked for someone to take pity. But there was none and for comforters I found none realizing he had to take the responsibility the deaction. Was his the heavy weight had to be lifted Matthew 26 and 39 says? This he went a little further and he fell in his face and. He prayed he said oh my father if it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless. Not as I will but as thou wilt and he went away again the second time. And prayed saying oh my father if this cup may not pass away from me except I drink. It thy will be done and he left them and he went away. Again and prayed a third time saying the same words life brings choices. It's just how it works every day you and I we face choices decisions on a daily basis.

If you want to find every day hundreds and thousands of different ways different excuses. You can use for always doing whatever it is you want. But I also tell you this you can also find as many reasons. Why it is you should deny yourself you may say well pastor kevin I have a problem I have an addiction I have struggles in? My life I live in a hyper addictive society and maybe you're around something. That's constantly consuming you maybe it's pornography or some sexual addiction and you keep feeling guilty. And promising God but it doesn't change so you just die out to. Your pride because I'm going to tell you sometimes you need to get somebody to help. You with you got to have some accountability in your life sometimes you need to find somebody. That can truly love you and you can say to them look I'm dying inside. You may not know it you may look at me and think everything's. Okay but I'm a wreck because this thing is constantly consuming me and I can't find any peace. There really is freedom there really is but you have to die when.

You mess up instead of getting defensive or stubborn or afraid just humble yourself and own. It and say I've messed up and cry out to a God who's faithful and just to forgive. You and cleanse you from all unrighteousness they're all kind of chances to exercise self-denial. Every day and part of what it means to follow Jesus is that. You make a foundational decision every day to pick up your cross. Because here's the deal if you don't if you don't the only only other option. You have is to not be with him he said if any man will. Come after me let him deny himself take up his cross and follow. He said you have to take it up daily. So I'm just wondering as as this comes to a close as I I've delivered. My message today I've delivered the message I've been trying to deliver for three weeks. But God knew somebody needed it today so I'm going to ask you. If you're comfortable to bow your heads in this room and I'm going to pray and. If any time during this prayer you want to this altar area is open.

Because this is a great day to take up a cross this is a great day to live in denial. Jesus I love you and I thank you. So much God for your mercy and your grace in my life every day for the opportunities. God that you give to be able to live for you Lord in. This place you see every man and woman is here you know where. We are and I walk with you you know the things we face each one of us face something different. God I pray that you would help our egos help us push them aside. God and allow you to take center stage in all that we do. That there would be nothing that would compete inside of us with where. It is you need to be Lord I know in this place there. Are those struggling with so many things God I pray that you would pull them back into a place a right relationship with? You give them strength and courage to make the choice they need to make for those. That need to reach out for help God I pray you give them a boldness.

Today to make that decision God do what you do best and put. Our lives back together in Jesus name church is prayer time I think. This is a good time for all of us to do a little self-evaluation. This altar is open I invite you to come if you are comfortable doing. So come down let's pray let's take advantage of this opportunity if it's been a. While since you've taken up that cross don't hesitate don't delay don't delay.