Are You Willing to Die to Follow Jesus? (Matthew 16:21-27)

Is Jesus inviting you to die? Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Mt 16:24).

"If anyone sets his will on coming after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross..." (Leon Morris).

If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself…” (CEV).

• "The center of salvation is the Cross of Jesus, and the reason it is so easy to obtain salvation is because it cost God so much"? Oswald Chambers.
• The cross is the climax of Jesus' work as the Messiah, the true King of the world.

Who is Jesus to You? (Matthew 16:13-20)

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Mt 16:15)

• If Jesus asked you directly “Who do you say I am?” how would you answer in your own words—not with a memorized statement or verse or gospel trophe, but from your current experience and relationship with Him?

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven" (Mt 16:17).

• How Do You Know that You Know Jesus? Has your understanding of Jesus been shaped more by culture, family, tradition, or popular opinion than by personal revelation from God?