Is it easy to be a Christian?
Base Text: Matthew 16:21–25
INTRODUCTION
The Search for a "Discount" Salvation In our modern world, we love a good deal. We look for discounts and ways to save effort in almost everything we do. Sadly, many people view salvation the same way. They want to reach heaven with a "discount" on effort and a "coupon" for sacrifice. They seek the cheapest version of Christianity possible.
The Temptation of the Easy Way This is not a new problem. In Matthew 16:21–25, we see this tension play out between Jesus and Peter.
• The Reality of Christ (v. 21): Jesus reveals that He must suffer, be killed, and be raised.
• The Protest of Peter (v. 22): Peter rebukes Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"
Today, many echo Peter’s sentiment: "It’s easy to be a Christian... It doesn’t cost much... Just get baptized, show up on Sundays, and be a 'nice' person." Let us be clear: When someone says following Jesus "doesn't cost much," they are taking the place of Satan! Jesus immediately told Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!" because Peter was focusing on the things of men rather than the things of God.
In verse 24, Jesus lays out the three non-negotiable requirements for anyone who truly wants to follow Him.
I. DENY YOURSELF (Matthew 16:24)
Following Jesus begins with a funeral—the funeral of your ego.
• Leave Your Ego Behind: To deny yourself means to say "no" to your own desires so you can say "yes" to God's. As Paul said in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."
• A Life of Surrender: * Think of the Secret Service agents who are trained to take a bullet for the President. They have denied their own safety for a higher cause.
◦ Think of a mother who sacrifices her health, sleep, and dreams for the life of her child.
• The Cost of Denial: For the Christian, this means denying social acceptance, comfort, and personal ambition. It means being willing to suffer and making every necessary change in your character and lifestyle to align with the Master.
• The Ultimate Example: What did Christ do for us? He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:5–8).
II. TAKE UP YOUR CROSS (Matthew 16:24)
To the people of Jesus' time, the cross was not a piece of jewelry; it was an instrument of execution.
• Carry Your Burden Until Death: Taking up your cross means accepting the "painful and heavy" burdens that come with the Christian life.
• Strength Through the Weight: Just as a workman's heavy tool bag strengthens his muscles through daily use, the trials and pains of the Christian life are designed to strengthen our faith.
• Do Not Lower the Cross: We will not always understand why we suffer. There will be seasons of confusion and tears, but the command remains: Do not put down your cross. * The Weight Jesus Bore: He carried the weight of the sins of the world so that we could have life.
III. BE FAITHFUL IN FOLLOWING (Matthew 16:24)
The word "follow" implies action and movement. We are called to walk where He walked.
• Where Does Jesus Lead Us?
◦ To the fellowship of the brothers and sisters in the church.
◦ To the homes of the sick and the needy.
◦ To the closet of secret prayer.
• Following the Pattern: We are called to study His teachings so we can replicate His life. 1 Peter 2:21 tells us that Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps.
• The Child's Imitation: Just as a little boy tries to step exactly in the deep footprints left by his father in the snow, we must strive to place our lives in the footprints of Jesus.
- Preaching on Discontentment: The Danger of Dissatisfaction
- Preaching on Psalm 15:1–5 - Who Shall Dwell in Your Tabernacle?
- Preaching on Proverbs 4:23-27 - Guarding the Heart: The Source of Life
- Preaching on I Am the Bread of Life Juan 6:35, 48, 51
CONCLUSION
The Great Paradox (Matthew 16:25) Jesus offers us a paradox: To save your life, you must lose it.
• If you love your comfort and your ego more than God, you will stay spiritually dead and eventually die eternally.
• A life without God has no true purpose, no lasting motivation, and no hope beyond the grave.
The Hope of the Gospel In Christ, we find purpose and eternal life in heaven. There is salvation in no other name (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
What Must I Do? Salvation is a free gift, but it will cost you your old life. To be saved, you must:
1. Deny yourself, take up your own cross, and follow Him.
2. Obey the Gospel through repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38; 2:42).
Salvation is not cheap. It cost Jesus His life, and it will cost you yours—but in exchange, He gives you His.
