1- Death is a Perquisite Not An Elective

Disciple of Jesus = living a MUST life in a MAYBE world.

“But why did you need to search?”, he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49 (NLT)

“I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” Luke 4:43 (NLT)

The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Luke 9:22 (NIV)

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.  They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16 (NIV)

True discipleship embraces the “MUSTNESS” of life in Jesus.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 (NIV)

Life in Jesus STARTS with DEATH.

I CAN GAIN THE LIFE GOD HAS FOR ME IF I UNDERSTAND:

• Taking up my cross means JESUS > ME.

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:15-17, 34 (NIV)

• I must put to death the PROMOTION of SELF.

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 (NIV)

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT/NIV)

• Taking up my cross means UNDER > OVER.

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave. Matthew 20:25-27 (NIV)

• Taking up my cross means LOSING > WINNING.

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”  Matthew 26:52-54 (NIV)

Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 1 Corinthians 6:7b (NIV)

• As a follower I must trust THERE IS A LIFE AFTER DEATH.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (NIV)

Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. John 12:25-26 (NLT)

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:1-7 (NIV)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’ Acts 22:16 (NIV)