1. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works’” (NKJV).

2. Careless soul, why will you linger, Wand’ring from the fold of God? Hear you not the invitation? Oh, prepare to meet thy God. Chorus: Careless soul, oh, heed the warning, For your life will soon be gone; Oh, how sad to face the judgment, Unprepared to meet thy God.

4. A. You follow your natural inclinations. 1.Some speak of this as “following your gut” or “living out your own truth!” a.That is a mistake because we don’t have it within us to direct our own lives unto eternity (Jer. 10:23). b.Men can often believe they are doing right when they actually do wrong—cf. Adolf Hitler, Charles Manson, Joseph Stalin, etc. (Prov. 14:12).

5. B.Neglect your opportunities for salvation. 1.Man or woman on parole who violates the terms of parole—value freedom? 2.Criminal disrespectful to one they have wronged— remorseful? 3.Sinner indifferent to the terms and payment that grants pardon? (Heb. 2:1-4).

6. A.You lack spiritual focus. 1.Jesus taught that we should seek submission to His kingship (Matt. 6:33). 2.Our mind should be set on heaven (Col. 3:1- 4).

7. B.You lack biblical interest. 1.The Christian should know how to use the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15-16). 2.Christians are to grow in the knowledge of God (2 Pet. 3:14-18).

8. C.You Increase in Worldliness… 1.Of thought. a.Our thoughts must be “captive” to the Lord (2 Cor. 10:3-6). b.We must think about godly things (Phil. 4:8- 9).

9. C.You Increase in Worldliness… 2.Of speech. a.Our speech must “always” be with grace (Col. 4:6). b.We should speak “as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11).

10. C.You Increase in Worldliness… 3. Of action. a.Our conduct must be worthy of the gospel (Phil. 1:27). b.Would we be ashamed to be in Christ’s presence while doing some of the things in our life?