Matthew 16:2428

1
THE ART OF SELF-DENIAL
Matthew 1624-28
2
In this day of government bail-outs, maxed out
credit cards, bankruptcies and foreclosures,
todays sermon seems out of place. It is the
lack of Self-denial which has gotten us in this
shape. Weve gotten to be a society who looks to
Government to take care of us, instead of looking
to God. It is high time we brought back THE ART
OF SELF-DENIAL. This is difficult and takes a
change in our thinking.
3

• FINDING A NEW PURPOSE (vs.24)
• This is a Voluntary act.
• It is a deliberate choice, with gladness and
  resolution.
• Old purpose Self-gratification / New Purpose
  Self-denial.
• Old purpose Self-gratification / New Purpose
  Gratify God.
• Old Purpose Live, Eat, Drink, and Be Merry /
  New Purpose die to Selfish Desires.
• Old Purpose Control your own Destiny / New
  Purpose Follow Jesus.

4

• FINDING A NEW PERSPECTIVE (vs.25)
• Key Words in, For whoever desires to save his
  life will lose it,
• Key words in, but whoever loses his life for My
  sake will find it.
• Old Perspective Im No.1 / New Perspective
  Jesus is No.1.
• Old Perspective Life is all there is / New
  Perspective Eternity is more important.
• Old Perspective Death is the end / New
  Perspective Death is only the beginning.
• Old Perspective Life of ease / New Perspective
  Eternal Rest.

5

• FINDING A NEW PLAN (vs.27)
• Old Plan Work for Now / New Plan Work for
  Later.
• Old Plan This worlds Riches / New Plan His
  Rewards.
• Old Plan Instant Gratification / New Plan
  Delayed Gratification.

6

• FINDING A NEW PROMISE (vs.28)
• How can this be? They all died and Jesus still
  hasnt come.
• Two thoughts
• They had their spiritual eyes opened at
  Pentecost.
• The Apostle John, on Patmos, saw a vision of the
  Son of Man coming in His kingdom and wrote it in
  the Book of Revelation.
• Either way, we have the same insight!
• Plus, He may physically come before we die!

7
(No Transcript)
8
(No Transcript)