Who is this life for? Us: For me! God: For Me! Who is right?

Christmas is for us… …because God so loved this sick, sin-filled, and sorry world (US)… that He sent His One and Only Son, Jesus the Christ, to be born of the virgin, to be born in a manger, to show us who God really is… and eventually…to die as the sinless sacrifice…for sinners like us… on the Cross! All so that we could be… FORGIVEN and SAVED!

Christmas is about the birth of Gods Son, the Messiah: Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lords glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them.Dont be afraid! he said. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savioryes, the Messiah, the Lordhas been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. -Luke 2:9-12 (NLT)

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The disciples life is for me! Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life FOR ME will find it. -Matt 16:24-25 (NIV)

A true statement: YOU CANT BE A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST… UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO… PRACTICE CHRISTIANITY!!

A disciple must be connected to the vine: When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. -John 15:8 (NLT)

Three things disciples of Jesus must do: a.Deny ourselves

Three things disciples of Jesus must do: a.Deny ourselves b.Take up His cross

Three things disciples of Jesus must do: a.Deny ourselves b.Take up His cross c.Lose our lives

What does it mean todeny ourselves? 1)Its acknowledging that its not all FOR or ABOUT YOU.

What does it mean todeny ourselves? 1)Its acknowledging that its not all FOR or ABOUT YOU. 2)Its choosing to limit your liberty (like Christ) for the sake of Christ.

Emptying yourself like Jesus: You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges ; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminals death on a cross. -Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT)

Just because we can doesnt mean we should: You say, I am allowed to do anything but not everything is good for you. And even though I am allowed to do anything, I must not become a slave to anything. -1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT)

A decision to limit myself for the sake of love: …if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I livefor I dont want to cause another believer to stumble. -1 Corinthians 8:13 (NLT)

Question: As a disciple of Christ… …are you willing to suffer for the cause of Christ… to possibly even die?

A bold answer, but… But why cant I come now, Lord? he asked. Im ready to die for you. Jesus answered, Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peterbefore the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me. -John 13:37-38 (NLT)

God restores and uses us even when… After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter,Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? Yes, Lord, Peter replied,you know I love you. Then feed my lambs, Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: Simon son of John, do you love me? Yes, Lord, Peter said, you know I love you.

God restores and uses us even when… Then take care of my sheep, Jesus said. A third time he asked him, Simon son of John, do you love me? Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you. Jesus said, Then feed my sheep. -John 21:15-17 (NLT)

Some good questions: Have you denied yourself? OR Are you still denying Christ?

Some good questions: Have you denied yourself? OR Are you still denying Christ? Have you decided to give and live your life FOR HIM and for His purposes OR Is it it still, No,Im living my life FOR ME?

Why this is such a big deal: If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. -Matt 10:38-39 (NLT)

It will be worth it when we see Christ: "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields FOR ME and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. -Mark 10:29-30 (NIV)

Joshua chose: But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as FOR ME and my household, we will serve the Lord." -Joshua 24:15 (NIV)

The apostle chose: Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. -Philippians 3:8-9a (NLT)

A martyred pastor chose: "I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirits power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I wont look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.

A martyred pastor chose: I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colourless dreams, chained visions, worldly talking, cheap living and warped goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I dont have to be right, first, tops, recognised, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean in His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and I labour with power.

A martyred pastor chose: My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my read is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

A martyred pastor chose: I wont give up, shut up or let up until I have prayed up and paid up for the cause of Jesus Christ. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till everyone knows, work till he stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear!"

What will you choose? Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life FOR ME will find it. -Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)