Message topic: What does it means to deny yourself?
Scripture text: John 13: 1-17
How often have we heard this statement, he got into trouble only because of his lack of understand of what the truth really is: At this point I think we should stop and ask ourselves, this question: what is understanding and how is it defined?
According to Merriam-Webster, the word understand means to have understanding, comprehension, or to grasp the nature, significance, of explanation of something. It can also mean to believe or infer something to be the case.
Understand, comprehend, appreciate mean to have a clear or complete idea of. Understand and comprehend are very often interchangeable. Understand may, however, stress the fact of having attained a firm mental grasp of something.
Now that the word understand has been broadened, do we have any question as to how much do Christians have to deny ourselves? How much self denial do Christians have to do?
Jesus taught that to be His disciple, His follower- the spiritual discipline of self- denial is required. Then Jesus told His disciples, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)
Denying yourself is an essential part of the Christian life. Jesus called upon those who wish to be His followers to reject the natural human inclination toward selfishness. The Lord Himself exemplified self-denial in (John 13: 1-17)
The dictionary of bible themes defines self-denial as the willingness to deny oneself possessions or status, in order to grow in holiness and commitment to God. Thes Jesus used in the original language for deny yourself were strong terms similar in meaning to Paul’s wording in Philippians 3:7-8, but whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. The purpose of self- denial counting as loss all earthly gain is to become more like Jesus in holiness and obedience to God.
Denying yourself includes overcoming the persistent fleshly demands of the body, also known as the carnal self or the natural man, and bringing them into submission to God’s Word so that you don’t give in to sin: and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires, (Galatians 5:24).
Self-denial for the Christian means renouncing oneself as the center of existence (which goes against the natural inclination of the human will) and recognizing Jesus Christ as one’s new and true center. It means acknowledging that the old self is dead and the new life is now hidden with Christ in God, when Christ, who is your life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:3-4)
For as much then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lust of men, but to the will of God. (1 Peter 4: 1-2)
When we denies our- selves from the corruptible things of this world, the Holy Spirit will take His abode in our hearts and will help us to resist the influence of the evil one daily, He will daily remind us that the old human nature is dead, and we are now hidden in Christ.
We are reminded that only through the grace of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit can we learn to deny self: for the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people, and teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, so we can live upright and godly lives in this present age.
Perhaps the most significant way we practice self-denial is in how we love and esteem our brothers and sisters in Christ. Self-denial is the basis for Christian fellowship and service within the church: let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.
Though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
In self- denial, we look not on our own selves, but every man also on the things of others: denying yourself means seeking the good of others before looking out for yourself. When Ruth followed Naomi, she practiced self-denial for the benefit of her mother-in-law: when Ester put her life at risk to save her people, she demonstrated self-denial; the Scripture teaches us to deny ourselves for the sake of those who are week in the faith (Romans 14: 21; and 15; 1-3).
When we are willing to sacrifice time, energy, rights, position, reputation, priviledges, comforts and even your very life for the sake of Christ, you exemplify what it means to deny yourself: whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.(Matthew 10: 39, John 12:24 -26 and 2 Corinthians 6:4-5.
The emphasis of our sharing today is on self-denying, have we heard of any way in which we have fallen short and need to make adjustments in our ways of dealing with those we have to contend each day?
It is stated that self-denial is when we are willing to sacrifice our time, energy, rights, positions, privileges, comforts and even life: but what about our dealing with our fellowmen and those with whom we have to contend with on a daily basic? How often do we have to make self-denial to keep peace and unity in our daily dealing with people we have to deal with on a daily basis? Self-denial should always be on the mind of the child of God.