He Must Deny Himself
To follow Christ, one must deny themselves, letting go of sinful desires, natural tendencies, and worldly attachments.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the call to self-denial in following Christ, urging believers to reject sinful desires, natural inclinations, and even their own religious practices that may hinder true devotion. He explains that denying oneself involves relinquishing not only personal lusts and talents but also moral pretensions and familial attachments. This radical self-denial is essential for anyone who wishes to truly follow Jesus and bear their cross. Brooks highlights that such sacrifices are necessary to align oneself fully with Christ's teachings and mission.
Text
"If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny
himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." Mark 8:34
He must deny sinful self, which takes in a man's lusts.
He must deny natural self, which takes in a man's
arts, parts, gifts, and reason.
He must deny religious self, which takes in all a man's
religious duties and services.
He must deny moral self, which includes a freedom
from gross, heinous, enormous wickednesses; and a
fair, sweet, harmless behavior towards men.
He must deny relative self, which takes in our nearest
and dearest relations in the flesh; as wife, children, father,
mother, brothers, sisters, etc.
Sermon Outline
- Denying Sinful Self
- Denying Natural Self
- Denying Religious Self
- Denying Moral Self
- Denying Relative Self
- Family and relationships
- The importance of self-denial in all areas of life
Key Quotes
“If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- You must deny yourself in order to follow Christ, which means letting go of your own desires and interests.
- Self-denial is necessary for spiritual growth and maturity.
- You can deny yourself in all areas of life, including your relationships, by prioritizing the needs of others.