Lesson 469 - Senior

Memory Verse

"None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).

Cross References

I Self-Denial Taught

1. The love of God must be greater than that of our family, [MAT:8:21-22]; [MAT:10:37-39].

2. We must love God more than ourselves, [MAT:16:24-27].

3. Christ must mean more to us than earthly possessions, [MAT:19:21]; [LUK:14:33].

II Self-Denial Practiced

1. Jesus is the supreme example of self-denial, [MAT:8:19];[MAT:8:20]; [2CO:8:9]; [PHL:2:5-8]; [ROM:15:1-3].

2. Abraham left kindred, home, country, and lived in tents; refused rewards, and also offered up his son in obedience to God, [HEB:11:8-19]; [GEN:12:1-8]; [GEN:14:21-24]; [GEN:22:1-19].

3. Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, [HEB:11:24-27].

4. A widow cast her all into the treasury, [LUK:21:4].

5. The Apostles forsook all to follow Jesus, [MAT:4:18-22]; [MAT:9:9]; [MAT:19:27-30].

6. Paul counted all things but loss for Christ, [PHL:3:8].

Notes

Self-Denial

"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" [MAT:16:24]). Self-denial is the very heart and centre of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Without a willingness to forsake all one cannot be a disciple of Jesus. "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" [LUK:14:33]). Self-denial, then, must be practiced not only by ministers and missionaries, but by everyone who desires to make Heaven his home. Self-denial means more than just forsaking sin and sinful pleasures. It also goes beyond a willingness to make sacrifices for the Lord and His work.

Warnings

Jesus warned, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares." Surfeiting is interpreted as "immoderate indulgence, as in food or drink." As the physical heart is endangered by fat from overeating, so the spiritual life of a Christian is endangered by indulgence. One of the great dangers a Christian has to face is overindulging in the things of this life. It is possible that one might keep himself from the sinful pleasures but succumb to being engrossed in the "cares of this life." If time, money, and ambitions are taken up with accumulating the good things of living, all the latest equipment; if hearts become set on these things, the Cross is abandoned. "Love not the world neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" ([1JN:2:15]).

If God blesses our life with an abundance, let us take heed lest we become like Jeshurun who waxed fat and kicked [DEU:32:15]). Today in America we see men with their sports equipment spending their Sundays boating on the rivers, running to the mountains or beaches, taking the Lord's Day to satisfy their own fleshly desires. Is this self-denial?

Some things that are lawful are not expedient. In other words, if anything takes us away from our time in prayer, the Word, or service for God it is not good for us. If we are going to follow Christ it is necessary that we set our affections "on things above, not on things on the earth" [COL:3:2]).

The Mind of Christ

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" [PHL:2:5-8]). He had the power to reign as a king, but He took upon Him the form of a servant; all things were created by Him, but He built Himself no home. He could have called more than twelve legions of angels, but He made no defence. "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" [LUK:9:58]). What an example of self-denial our Saviour has set!

Jesus, Himself, "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross" [HEB:12:2]). The "author and finisher of our faith" rejoiced in doing the will of His Father and completing the work that God had given Him to do. Those of His followers who have caught the vision of eternal values, also find joy in obedience to His plan. An indulged spoiled child soon tires of everything, but a person who makes sacrifices for the Gospel feels a thrill that no amount of accumulation of world's goods can equal. Jesus said, "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" [LUK:12:15]). Life realises its highest goal in obedience to the Master's plan.

The Apostles

It was not the glamour of earthly reward that caused Peter, Andrew, James, and John to leave their family occupation of generations, abandon their boats and fishing gear, forsake their family and friends and respond to the call, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" [MAT:4:19]). Jesus did not appeal to His disciples with a promise of two cars to every family, a shorter work week and more fringe benefits; instead He called for self-denial and offered a cross.

Abraham

The call of God to Abraham entailed self-denial and sacrifice. It was a call to leave his home and kinfolk behind and move to a strange, distant land. There were no jet planes with meals served aloft; travel was rigorous and the way was beset with many dangers. Abraham was comfortably situated in the land of Ur of the Chaldees, but he responded to the voice of God and lived in tents with his family because "he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" [HEB:11:10]).

Moses

Moses was being reared in the palatial court of Pharaoh, but "when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" [HEB:11:24-25]). His self-denying choice took him from the luxurious palace life to 80 years of desert wandering; but "he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."

Paul

The Apostle Paul had everything coming his way. He was well educated and was gaining prestige and recognition as a leader of men. Suddenly a light from Heaven shone about him, and he heard the voice of the persecuted Nazarene. His life was immediately changed to one of self-denial and sacrifice. He said: "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" [PHL:3:7-8]).

Paul had a goal; he had a price for which he was reaching. No earthly cost was too great to pay; and no hardship too difficult to endure. He gloried in infirmities and valued the suffering because of their relationship to the Cross of Christ. He was sure of his crown and encouraged all to "be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" [1CO:11:1]).

Your Vision

Have you caught a vision of self-denial and a Kingdom to be won? or have you settled down to enjoy the pleasures of this life for a season? A crown awaits all those who will take up their cross. Will you?

Questions

1. What is a cross?

2. What is self-denial?

3. In what way did Abraham deny himself ?

4. What did Moses forsake to be a follower of God?

5. What do the Scriptures tell us of the "mind of Christ"?

6. What were some of the things the Apostles gave up to follow Christ?

7. What did Paul suffer for Christ?

8. What warnings are we given against the line of self-indulgence?

9. What are the rewards offered to those who forsake all to follow Jesus?

10. What can you do to be a better soldier of the Cross?