CrossFit

CrossFit CrossFit Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Self-denial; Confession; Conviction; Discipleship; Follow Christ / Luke 9:18-27 Being CrossFit spiritually means to follow Jesus. Luke shares Jesus' words here as Jesus instructs His disciples on what it means to follow Him. Introduction 1. Cross fitness is a lifestyle - not an achievement a. Cross fitness is not only about the arriving at fitness - but maintaining and improving it i. This is why it is so difficult - because most arent ready to do those things day in and day out ii. Always looking for the stop date - when things can get back to normal b. The time where you stop doing the things to get cross fit - thats the day you stop being crossfit i. Being cross fit - means following cross fitness 2. As we continue making our way through Luke's Gospel - we come to the theme passage for our Cross Fit series a. In the same way being physically cross fit means following cross fitness workouts and lifestyle - being CrossFit spiritually mean following Jesus - the one who carried the Cross - not His cross but our cross i. It is in these passages Jesus instructs His disciples (including us this morning) on what it means and what it looks like to follow Him ii. Because if we arent following Him - we are not gonna ever be crossfit spiritually b. Also in like wise fashion - Jesus wants us to see - this isnt a sprint - its a marathon - it requires a lifestyle of following Him i. So lets dive in and allow the Lord to challenge us to strive to live a lifestyle following Him as we strive to be cross fit spiritually › SLIDE Luke 9:18-20 CSB 18 While he was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" 19 They answered, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back." 20 "But you," he asked them, "who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "God's Messiah." › SLIDE Luke 9:21-23 CSB 21 But he strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, "It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day." 23 Then he said to them all, "If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. › SLIDE Luke 9:24-26 CSB 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. 25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and the holy angels. › SLIDE Luke 9:27 CSB 27 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God." › SLIDE Starts With Conviction › SLIDE Luke 9:18-20 CSB 18 While he was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" 19 They answered, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back." 20 "But you," he asked them, "who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "God's Messiah." 1. The backdrop of where this takes place is Cesarea Philippi - at the place where the Pagans of the known world came to worship - a place where child sacrifice was the norm › SLIDE - Cesarea Philippi - 5 slides a. At this place while praying - Jesus asks a question i. Who do the crowds say that I am? ii. The disciples answered and said 1. Some say John the Baptist 2. Others say Elijah 3. Still others say one of the ancient prophets has come back b. Perhaps these answers sound familiar - because they are the same answers of who Jesus is that Herod heard › SLIDE Luke 9:7-8 CSB 7 Herod the tetrarch heard about everything that was going on. He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead, 8 some that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen. i. Jesus was such that - people formed opinions about who He was - because of the things He does - the marvels and wonders He is able to do. 2. After the disciples answer Him - Jesus then turns the question to them - "Who do you say I am" a. "But you..." Jesus addressed them i. In a way the way Jesus does this, it should give them and us the idea that this question is very important and we must answer it for ourselves. › SLIDE The question of who Jesus is - must be answered individually - it cannot be answered for you. ii. It doesnt matter who the crowds say Jesus is - it matters who we personally - individually say Jesus is. iii. Our answer to this question is what really matters with Jesus b. Peter answered --- "God's Messiah" i. Luke gives a short succinct answer but Matthew gives Peter's more complete answer and I want to look at it - because it is one of those times where Peter does it completely right › SLIDE Matthew 16:16 CSB 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." ii. Peter says - You ARE THE Messiah, THE Son of the living God 1. Notice the way Peter states this - this is a matter of fact for him 2. This is a settled conviction - not a questioning › SLIDE - we need to ask ourselves Do we have a settled conviction on who Jesus is? 3. A settled conviction gives us a solid foundation to stand on when everything else is shaky and uncertain - a toss up - or as some would say grey areas a. A settled conviction says that no matter what happens - Jesus is Messiah - Son of the Living God i. Jesus responds to Peter - again recorded in Matthew's Gospel › SLIDE Matthew 16:17-18 CSB 17 Jesus responded, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. › SLIDE - Picture of the rock in the background b. The church is built upon the rock - of Peter's confession - his conviction - the solid ground of Jesus - the Messiah - Son of the living God i. Perhaps this is related to what happened in John's Gospel after the feeding of the 5000 › SLIDE John 6:66-69 CSB 66 From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, "You don't want to go away too, do you?" 68 Simon Peter answered, "Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." › SLIDE Crowds will have their opinions but as disciples we MUST LIVE by OUR CONVICTIONS › SLIDE Requires Correction › SLIDE Luke 9:21-22 CSB 21 But he strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, "It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day." 1. It is an odd thing that we read here Jesus strictly warning and instructing them not to tell anyone He was the Messiah a. Strictly is the same word for rebuke i. Perhaps the recent situation can shed light on why He is making sure they tell no one › SLIDE John 6:15 CSB 15 Therefore, when Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. b. Jesus then explains to the disciples it is necessary for the Son of Man or in other words - He MUST i. Suffer many things ii. be rejected by the elders, chief priests and scribes 1. Even though He was Messiah and the Jews awaited the arrival and appearance of the Messiah - it would be the Jewish religious leaders who would play a prominent part in the death of Jesus 2. Because they will reject Him as Messiah iii. Be killed - this too is a must › SLIDE - Revelation 13:8b The New King James Version Chapter 13 the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. iv. Be raised the third day - meaning on the third day - not 3 days and then the fourth rise up 1. It was a must for Jesus to resurrect - just as much as it was for Him to die. 2. From the looks of it - everything was fine and the disciples didnt even bat an eye that Jesus was going to die. a. Again we turn to Matthew's Gospel to have a clearer understanding of what transpired › SLIDE Matthew 16:22 CSB 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, "Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!" b. Peter takes Jesus aside and begins to rebuke Him - rebuke the one He just called Messiah - Son of God i. Who would do such a thing - although he did take Him aside - perhaps to not embarrass Jesus as he Peter rebuked Him c. Jesus responds to Peter's rebuke - with a stronger rebuke for him › SLIDE Matthew 16:23 CSB 23 Jesus turned and told Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you're not thinking about God's concerns but human concerns." i. Peter goes from making the confession upon which the church will be built - to being rebuked by Jesus for being Satan - or Satanic in his thinking 1. Peter was praised for correctly identifying who Jesus is - but rebuked for then trying to have Jesus fulfill his mission - Peter's mission rather than God's mission › SLIDE It is possible to be clear in conviction and muddy in understanding ii. The truth is Jesus giving His life as Messiah was more important than keeping His life › SLIDE We must receive the correction to value God's concerns over man's › SLIDE Moves in Commitment › SLIDE Luke 9:23-25 CSB 23 Then he said to them all, "If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. 25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself? 1. Jesus now addresses the disciples, giving them instructions for those who wish to follow Him - in other words for those who wish to be CrossFit a. 3 Instructions for everyone who wants to follow after Jesus - who seeks CrossFitness i. Deny yourself - literally say no to yourself ii. Take up your cross iii. Follow Jesus 1. These three things are a constant requirement - daily and continually › SLIDE The attitude of this chosen life over and over again, each day as the choice must be made DAILY b. As Jesus spoke these words, the picture of what he meant was in everyone's head i. In those days of Roman crucifixion a man condemned to die on a cross must first carry their cross (or at least the crossbeam) to the place of execution 1. You were not just hung on a cross - first a cross was hung on you ii. Carrying a cross - always ended by death on a cross 1. When someone took up their cross they didnt come back - it was one way journey iii. One main difference - no one chose to just take up a cross for fun - or voluntarily 1. Jesus says to follow Him we must choose to take up our crosses willingly › SLIDE Self sacrifice is the required commitment to follow Jesus - if you are not willing to sacrifice yourself - you cannot follow Him and cannot be His disciple c. To deny self - means to incorporate all three of these items - deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus i. Willingly renounce rights, plans and recognize Jesus' Lordship in all areas of life - deliberately choose to live the life He lived. Which can involve some or all of the following 1. Opposition from loved ones 2. Hate from the world 3. Forsaking all - relationships, money (jobs - etc), comforts 4. Complete dependence on God 5. Obedience to the God's Word and the leading of Holy Spirit 6. Sharing an unpopular and politically incorrect message 7. A pathway of loneliness 8. Attacks from "Religious Leaders" - even from in house 9. Suffering for righteousness' sake 10. Slander and Shame 11. Giving your life for others 12. Death to self and the world › SLIDE Cross fitness is gained through living a life committed to Jesus one day at a time 2. Unless you are willing to lose your life you will lose your life a. Anyone who desires to save their life will lose it i. The desire to save our life is natural and takes no effort or commitment Commitment requires your life - otherwise you are only contributing Its like the chicken and the pig providing breakfast - the chicken contributes - but the pig commits i. To lose - destroy or perish - to give of our life is an active requirement of our will to suppress that which feels, natural, easy or comfortable b. Anyone who loses their life because of Jesus (Mark also add in and the sake of the Gospel) will save it i. Be reminded that the economy and laws at work for eternity are opposite of the world ii. life is found in following Jesus and losing our life for His sake 1. If you spend your life for Jesus you will never find it has been wasted 2. Jesus promises in Him you have eternal life - and abundant life › SLIDE John 10:10 CSB 10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. c. What is your life worth to you? i. What does it benefit one if he gains the whole world yet loses or forfeits himself 1. Other translations say he himself is destroyed or lost › SLIDE - I like Matthews Version in NKJV Matthew 16:26 NKJV 26 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? 2. We discover that Jesus then says what is worth your soul? a. What will one give in exchange for their soul? There is an expression we use "selling your soul" i. Most often we say someone sold their soul to the devil - and that would be the worst thing one can do ii. Anything you would trade for your soul for eternal life - is a bad exchange › SLIDE Psalm 49:7-8 CSB 7 Yet these cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God- 8 since the price of redeeming him is too costly, one should forever stop trying- i. What is the soul or life worth? b. I know what Jesus paid for it › SLIDE 1 Corinthians 6:20 CSB 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body. › SLIDE 1 Peter 1:18-19 CSB 18 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. d. We must be willing to give our life for Jesus and the sake of the Gospel - willing to follow Jesus even unto death i. We must get a point in our commitment to Jesus that we value Jesus more than anything - even our own life 1. There must be nothing worth more, more precious, more valuable, more desirable than to give our live to Him. ii. Jesus wrote a letter to the Church of Smryna - Revelation Chapter 2 › SLIDE - here is the exhortation and encouragement from Jesus for the persecuted church Revelation 2:10 CSB 10 Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. › SLIDE Leads to a Crown › SLIDE Luke 9:26-27 CSB 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and the holy angels. 27 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God." 1. Jesus speaks towards His eventual return - in glory a. But again Luke's concise and to the point but Matthew gives detail about what this means › SLIDE Matthew 16:27 CSB 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each according to what he has done. i. When Jesus comes He will reward each according to what He has done ii. There is a doctrine of rewards and it is one of the most prominent doctrines of the New Testament › SLIDE Revelation 22:12 CSB 12 "Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. b. This doctrine is lost in that it is confused because it is often associated with the word Judge or Judgment › SLIDE Romans 14:10 CSB 10 But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. › SLIDE 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 CSB 11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one's work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work. › SLIDE 1 Corinthians 3:14-15 CSB 14 If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved-but only as through fire. › SLIDE 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 CSB 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. i. This is the judgment of the believer - the Bema Seat of Christ 1. Different from the Great White Throne Judgment - eternal life or damnation 2. This judgment is to reward or repay that which was done in this life for the name of Christ 2. Anyone who lives in such a way as to be ashamed of Christ during life - will find Christ at His coming ashamed in return of him. a. The ashamed person believes - you cannot be ashamed of something you dont believe in › SLIDE If you do not take confidence or satisfaction in your convictions and beliefs - you will be ashamed of Jesus i. You will avoid Jesus - until its convenient or there is nothing better ii. You wont talk about Him to anyone iii. You dont want to be associated with him - think of Peter in His denial of Jesus Christ b. There are many bad reasons to be ashamed i. Social Pressure ii. Work iii. Intellectual Pride iv. Cultural Pride Conclusion The crowds left Jesus - after a great miracle because they couldnt follow Him with what He was teaching. It was hard for them to swallow • Jesus asked His disciples - will you leave also - To which Peter responds where will we go you have what we need • People walk away from Jesus and walk away from their faith - because they havent come to a point of confession and conviction - as Peter and as we must • Jesus is the Son of the living God - where else could we go - He and He alone has what we desperately need!! • Remember it is we not He who are judged by our answer If we believe with conviction that Jesus is the Son of God --- it WILL affect the way we live our life and what priority and value we give to things in comparison to our commitment to Him › SLIDE Luke 14:27 CSB 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. He does not impose the cross on us we must willingly choose it Jesus calls us to follow Him in a life of self- denial suffering and sacrifice - but we must remember the promise of reward is there › SLIDE 2 Timothy 2:12 KJV 1900 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: Consider the cost Jesus paid for you and it becomes easier to consider giving everything we have and are to Him in return - Maybe you are here and havent understood or known the cost Jesus paid for you - you can call upon Him now and the cost will cover your life and you can be born again and begin living to be Cross Fit as His disciple For those of us who have been forgiven - in communion we remember the cost paid - as we remember may we renew our total and complete commitment of ourselves all that we are and all that we have to Him once again. Communion › SLIDE 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 CSB 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, "This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." › SLIDE 1 Corinthians 11:25-26 CSB 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:45 PM June 6, 2020.