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Matthew 16:25
Verse
Context
Take Up Your Cross
24Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.26What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For whosoever will save--is minded to save, or bent on saving. his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it--(See on Mat 10:38-39). "A suffering and dying Messiah liketh you ill; but what if His servants shall meet the same fate? They may not; but who follows Me must be prepared for the worst."
John Gill Bible Commentary
For what is a man profited,.... Such persons, though they are only seeking their own profit, will find themselves most sadly mistaken; for of what advantage will it be to such a man, if he shall gain the whole world; all that is precious and valuable in it; all the power, pleasures, and riches of it; if with Alexander, he had the government of the whole world, and with Solomon, all the delights of it; and was possessed with the wealth of Croesus, and Crassus, and lose his own soul? If that should be consigned to everlasting torment and misery, be banished the divine presence, and continually feel the gnawings of the worm of conscience that never dies, and the fierceness of the fire of God's wrath, that shall never be quenched, he will have a miserable bargain of it. Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Or, "for the redemption" of it, as the Ethiopic version renders it: see Psa 49:8. If he had the whole world to give, and would give it, it would not be a sufficient ransom for it; the redemption of an immortal soul requires a greater price than gold and silver, or any corruptible thing; nothing short of the blood and life of Christ, is a proper exchange, or ransom price for it. But in the other world there will be no redemption; the loss of a soul is irrecoverable: a soul once lost and damned, can never be retrieved. This passage is thought to be proverbial; what comes nearest to it, is the following (x). "If a scholar dies, we never find an exchange for him; there are four things which are the ministry or service of the world, , if they are lost, they may be changed; and they are these, gold, silver, iron, and brass, Job 28:1 but if a scholar dies, , who will bring us his exchange? or an exchange for him: we lost R. Simon, "who will bring us his exchange?".'' (x) Midrash Kohelet, fol. 72. 3, 4. T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 5. 3.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:25 Jesus’ disciples must relinquish control of their lives, even to the point of being willing to suffer and die for Christ. Jesus promised that those who follow him with such radical abandon, though they may suffer now, will be vindicated at the final judgment (see 1 Pet 2:23).
Matthew 16:25
Take Up Your Cross
24Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.26What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Attributes of God (Series 1): God's Immanence and Immensity
By A.W. Tozer7.1K53:16Attributes of GodPSA 27:8ISA 40:31MAT 16:25MRK 8:36ACT 2:1PHP 3:8COL 3:3In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the marvel of how things in the world are held together. They share personal anecdotes about their younger brother's fear of falling up and their own wonder about the stability of nations. The speaker then comes to the realization that everything in existence has its being in the love of God, who created and sustains it. They emphasize the importance of having faith in God and finding solace in His love and protection. The sermon concludes with a call to seek God through prayer and to prioritize Him above worldly possessions.
What Is a Christian
By Alan Redpath6.0K43:42ChristianMAT 6:24MAT 10:37MAT 16:25ACT 26:281PE 3:17In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of being a businessman who was torn between pursuing worldly success and following God's calling. He emphasizes the importance of making a decision to fully commit to God and His gospel. The speaker uses the story of a tightrope walker and a boy in the crowd to illustrate the difference between intellectual belief and wholehearted commitment. He also shares a story about a grocer and his son to highlight the need to trust in God even when we can't see the way forward. The sermon encourages listeners to examine their own commitment to God and make a decision to fully surrender their lives to Him.
His Immensity - Part 1
By A.W. Tozer3.5K17:32ImmensityPRO 14:12MAT 7:13MAT 16:25MRK 8:36JHN 14:6PHP 3:8COL 3:3In this video, the speaker discusses the concept of God's imminence and how we don't have to go far to find God because He is present in everything. The speaker mentions a formula that emphasizes the idea that God is right here with us. They also read a couple of Bible verses that highlight the importance of losing our lives for Christ in order to find true life. The speaker references a book called "The Revelation of Divine Love" written by Julian 600 years ago, where she describes a vision of a small object representing all of creation. The speaker concludes by mentioning their intention to occasionally quote from old books throughout the series.
Dying to Self
By Bill McLeod2.4K54:15Death To SelfMAT 16:25MRK 8:35LUK 9:24JHN 12:24In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the concept of dying to oneself in order to find spiritual power and fulfill the larger cause of Jesus Christ. He references the verse John 12:24, where Jesus talks about a kernel of wheat falling into the ground and dying to bring forth much fruit. The preacher emphasizes that this message is not just about Jesus' own death on the cross, but also about the need for believers to die to their own ambitions, plans, and personalities. He uses the story of Joseph in the Old Testament as an example of someone who had to die to various aspects of his life in order to fulfill God's purpose. The sermon concludes with a call to seek guidance from God and pray for a revival where many are converted.
The Sacrifice of Praise
By Ed Mohr1.5K23:04PraiseGEN 50:20MAT 6:33MAT 16:25ACT 20:352CO 9:6HEB 13:151JN 3:2In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of releasing our burdens and difficulties to God. He uses the story of Joseph and his brothers as an example of how God can turn our hardships into blessings when we surrender them to Him. The speaker encourages the audience to seek first the kingdom of God and trust that He will provide for their needs. He suggests a practical exercise of making two lists - one for past disappointments and hurts, and another for present difficulties - and giving thanks to God for each item on the lists.
Filled With the Lord of Christ
By Bill McLeod1.3K48:00Spirit Of ChristJOB 11:7ECC 3:14MAT 16:25JHN 15:16EPH 3:171TH 4:17In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the concept of forgiveness and the importance of forgiving others. He uses the analogy of a drop of water in a bucket to illustrate how insignificant our sins are compared to God's forgiveness. The preacher shares a story about a woman who survived a brutal attack during the Cultural Revolution in China and later discovered that the person who led the attack was living nearby. The sermon also includes a personal anecdote about a man struggling with pornography addiction and his reluctance to address it. The preacher challenges him to confront his sin and reminds him of the impact it has on his relationship with Jesus.
One Thing You Lack (Clip)
By Art Katz1.2K06:14MAT 16:25LUK 6:22LUK 9:23LUK 9:57LUK 12:22LUK 14:26LUK 14:33LUK 18:22This sermon emphasizes the radical call to total surrender and abandonment to Jesus, highlighting the need to leave behind earthly security and comforts to follow Him completely. It challenges believers to forsake all and be willing to face persecution for the sake of the Kingdom, stressing the importance of a total commitment to God without holding back. The message underscores the eternal significance of our choices and the necessity of wholeheartedly following Christ, even when it means being misunderstood or opposed by others.
sermonindex.net Simulcast 2012: Persecution & the Cross
By Steve Gallagher1.2K04:29MAT 16:25LUK 9:23JHN 16:33ROM 8:181CO 2:92CO 4:17PHP 3:10HEB 12:21PE 4:12REV 21:4This sermon delves into the inevitability of persecution for believers and how the example of Jesus on the cross provides a profound perspective on facing suffering with courage and determination. Just as Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him, believers are encouraged to focus on the eternal rewards and the love for souls that can sustain them through persecution. The anticipation of God's mighty presence and the call to embrace a sacrificial mindset akin to Jesus' selflessness are highlighted as essential preparations for the challenging times ahead.
Kenosis
By Paris Reidhead1.1K28:41Christian LifeMAT 6:33MAT 16:25GAL 2:20EPH 1:6PHP 2:5JUD 1:24In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following Jesus' example in our lives. He highlights that Jesus, despite being God and having all authority, willingly took on the form of a slave and became human in order to fulfill the Father's purpose. The speaker encourages the audience to commit themselves not to an ideal or task, but to a person, Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that our commitment to Jesus should be motivated by glorifying His name, rather than seeking personal recognition or immortality.
Persecution & the Cross
By Steve Gallagher1.1K04:28PersecutionMAT 10:39MAT 16:25LUK 9:23ACT 1:8ROM 8:18HEB 12:21PE 4:12In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a mindset focused on the eternal joy and purpose that comes from following Jesus. He references Jesus' instructions to his disciples to turn from selfish ways, take up their cross daily, and follow him. The speaker encourages believers to let go of their lives for the sake of Jesus, knowing that they will ultimately save it. He also discusses the upcoming persecution and suffering that believers may face, but highlights the incredible blessings and power that God will pour out on his people during this time. The speaker concludes by expressing excitement for a conference that will address these topics and encourage believers to embrace the joy set before them and despise the shame.
The Spirit of Egypt - Part 2
By Joshua Daniel1.0K09:05MAT 16:25ROM 12:1GAL 2:201JN 2:15This sermon emphasizes the danger of allowing the spirit of Egypt, representing worldly comforts and pursuits, to take root in our lives, leading to internal decay and a fading spirit. It warns against seeking comfort and material wealth at the expense of true sacrifice and spiritual growth, highlighting the importance of self-denial and prioritizing God above all else.
(Clip) Deny Yourself
By John Piper91804:59MAT 16:25MRK 8:34MRK 8:36LUK 9:23JHN 12:25ROM 8:13GAL 2:20PHP 3:8COL 3:5This sermon emphasizes the call for self-denial in pursuing satisfaction in God, highlighting the need to deny oneself, take up the cross, and follow Jesus to find true life. It explores the concept that self-denial is not to limit pleasure in God but to prevent seeking pleasure elsewhere, combating the corruption of the human heart. The message stresses the ongoing necessity of self-denial to avoid being consumed by worldly pleasures and to embrace Christian joy through renouncing lesser goods for greater ones.
If Only David Had Called for His Chariot
By Carter Conlon82042:32MAT 16:25This sermon emphasizes the importance of returning to our first love for God, warning against drifting away due to success, complacency, and indulging in personal desires. It highlights the need to make choices that align with God's will, to press through unbelief, and to guard against the enemy within. The message urges believers to seek divine protection, to stay faithful to God's calling, and to ask for strength to finish well in their journey of faith.
When Winning Looks Like Losing
By Carter Conlon72641:10PSA 30:5MAT 16:25LUK 6:38ACT 8:1ACT 9:1HEB 12:3JAS 4:10This sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's strength in times of persecution and challenges, highlighting the need for believers to see victory in the midst of trials. It encourages listeners to trust in God's power within them, to step out in obedience, and to understand that what may seem like losing is actually winning in the kingdom of God.
The Christian Life Is One of Death to Self
By Tim Conway64603:50MAT 16:25LUK 9:23ROM 12:1GAL 2:20PHP 3:8This sermon emphasizes the concept of surrendering to Christ, highlighting the necessity of dying to self in order to truly live in Christ's likeness. It delves into the struggle of letting go of possessions, desires, and personal will to fully submit to God's reign. The message challenges believers to embrace the path of death to self and carry their cross, acknowledging the difficulty and confrontation that comes with true discipleship.
Acts 21_pt2
By Bill Gallatin6401:01:34ExpositionalMAT 16:25LUK 9:23ACT 21:13ACT 21:40GAL 2:20In this sermon, the speaker highlights the power and anointing that Paul had when he stood before a riotous crowd. Despite the chaos and the inability of others to calm the people down, Paul fearlessly waved his hand and the crowd fell silent. This demonstrates the power and authority that comes from yielding oneself totally to God. The speaker emphasizes the importance of submitting one's will to God's plan and trusting in His power to accomplish great things. The sermon also highlights the irony of the weak church compromising to keep peace, while God uses the Gentile Roman government to protect and save His apostle.
Try and See
By Basilea Schlink58704:35Radio ShowMAT 16:25LUK 9:23PHP 3:7In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of dissatisfaction in life and offers a solution found in the life of Jesus. The speaker shares their personal experience of feeling dissatisfied and trapped by unfulfilled demands. They emphasize that the way to true satisfaction is through letting go and giving up everything, as Jesus calls us to do. By relinquishing our desires for material possessions, power, and love, we can experience true joy and fulfillment. The speaker encourages listeners to try this approach and promises that by following in Jesus' footsteps, we will find happiness.
Accepting the Truth and Living It Out
By Miki Hardy4981:55:32TruthMAT 6:33MAT 16:251CO 4:16GAL 1:111TI 6:7JAS 1:27In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accepting the message of the cross and living it out in our lives. He shares his own experience of feeling fed up and miserable as a pastor, but finding grace and solutions in God. The speaker encourages repentance, humility, and a commitment to live out the truth of the gospel. He also highlights the importance of leaders in the church accepting and living out the message of the cross for the restoration of families and the unity of the church.
On Eagles' Wings Pt 28
By Don Courville29727:05Radio ShowGEN 37:23EXO 2:11EXO 3:7DAN 9:2JON 1:17MAT 16:25GAL 2:1In this sermon by Jack VanIppy, the focus is on the concept of time and how it should be managed. The speaker emphasizes the importance of redeeming time and not allowing it to be wasted. He encourages listeners to prioritize serving the Lord and not be manipulated by circumstances or others. The ultimate goal, as exemplified by Jesus, is to please the Father in all actions. The sermon also highlights the need for believers to use their time to share the good news and win souls for Christ.
Idolatry and the Fear of God
By Charles Finney0IdolatryTrue Service to God2KI 17:33PSA 40:8MAT 6:24MAT 16:25ACT 9:7COL 3:23Charles Finney addresses the issue of idolatry and the fear of God, emphasizing that many people fear the Lord while still serving their own gods, driven by selfish motives rather than true devotion. He explains that there are two types of fear: a reverent fear rooted in love and a slavish fear based on dread of punishment, which leads to a superficial worship that does not involve true service to God. Finney challenges the notion of 'Sunday Christians' who compartmentalize their faith, serving God only on Sundays while pursuing their own interests throughout the week. He calls for a radical commitment to serving God in all aspects of life, urging believers to renounce selfishness and prioritize the advancement of God's Kingdom. Ultimately, he warns that true Christianity requires a complete surrender of oneself and one's possessions to God, rather than a mere performance of religious duties.
True Submission: A Matter of Choice
By Charles Finney0Disinterested LoveTrue SubmissionMAT 6:33MAT 16:25MRK 10:29LUK 10:27ROM 7:19ROM 8:31CO 10:311CO 13:1JAS 4:7Charles Finney emphasizes that true submission to God is a conscious choice that requires the relinquishing of selfish motives and a genuine love for God and others. He warns against false hopes rooted in selfishness, asserting that true submission involves a complete acquiescence to God's will and a commitment to prioritize His glory over personal interests. Finney clarifies that submission does not mean being willing to sin for God's glory, but rather entails a heartfelt obedience to His moral law and a desire for the good of others. He illustrates that true happiness is found not in pursuing one's own interests but in seeking the glory of God, and he concludes that the gospel calls for a disinterested love that transcends selfish desires.
The Spirit of Christ, and the Spirit of True Christianity
By Charles Finney0True ChristianitySelf-SacrificeMAT 16:25JHN 15:13PHP 2:3HEB 12:2Charles Finney emphasizes that the joy set before Christ was not for His own salvation or glory, but for the redemption and eternal joy of humanity. He argues that true Christianity embodies the spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion to the good of others, mirroring Christ's own dedication to His mission. Finney asserts that nothing less than this selfless mindset can be considered real Christianity, as it aligns with the highest good of being and prepares believers for the joys of heaven. He encourages Christians to embrace this spirit, as true happiness is found in self-denial and serving others, just as Christ did. Ultimately, Finney calls for a deep understanding of Christ's purpose to fully grasp the essence of Christianity.
Loving and Hating One's Life
By J.R. Miller0SacrificeTrue Life in ChristMAT 16:25MRK 8:35LUK 9:24JHN 12:24GAL 2:20PHP 2:3J.R. Miller emphasizes that true life is found in selfless love and sacrifice, illustrated by the parable of the grain of wheat, which must die to produce new life. He reflects on Jesus' own sacrifice, which seemed like a loss but became the source of hope and salvation for humanity. Miller warns against the temptation to prioritize personal comfort and ease over fulfilling our duties to others, asserting that in trying to save our lives, we ultimately lose them. He encourages believers to embrace the hard paths of service and love, as these lead to true fulfillment and eternal life. The sermon calls for a commitment to God's will over self-interest, highlighting that losing one's life in service is the path to true gain.
Genesis 19:22
By Chuck Smith0WorldlinessSpiritual VigilanceGEN 19:26MAT 16:25LUK 17:32ROM 12:21CO 10:12GAL 5:17PHP 3:18JAS 4:42PE 2:201JN 2:15Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of remembering Lot's wife as a warning against worldliness and the dangers of clinging to a sinful past. He describes the conditions of Sodom, both physically and spiritually, highlighting the moral decay that led to its destruction. Lot's family, particularly his wife, illustrates the struggle between the comforts of a sinful life and the call to follow God. Smith draws parallels between Sodom and modern society, urging believers to heed the warning of Jesus about the consequences of looking back. Ultimately, he stresses that true salvation involves a complete break from worldly desires.
Without Spot or Wrinkle
By David Wilkerson0SurrenderTrue FulfillmentMAT 16:25LUK 6:22ROM 12:1GAL 2:20EPH 5:27David Wilkerson emphasizes that Christ's church will always face rejection from the world, and believers will often be reproached for their faith. He highlights that true fulfillment comes from fully surrendering to Jesus, as losing one's life for His sake leads to genuine joy and peace. Wilkerson warns against the modern tendency to preach a diluted gospel that seeks to meet only personal needs without calling for total commitment to Christ. He stresses that to be part of a church 'without spot or wrinkle,' one must lay down all sins and ambitions, embracing a life of complete surrender. Ultimately, true needs are met through self-denial and taking up the cross.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For whosoever will save--is minded to save, or bent on saving. his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it--(See on Mat 10:38-39). "A suffering and dying Messiah liketh you ill; but what if His servants shall meet the same fate? They may not; but who follows Me must be prepared for the worst."
John Gill Bible Commentary
For what is a man profited,.... Such persons, though they are only seeking their own profit, will find themselves most sadly mistaken; for of what advantage will it be to such a man, if he shall gain the whole world; all that is precious and valuable in it; all the power, pleasures, and riches of it; if with Alexander, he had the government of the whole world, and with Solomon, all the delights of it; and was possessed with the wealth of Croesus, and Crassus, and lose his own soul? If that should be consigned to everlasting torment and misery, be banished the divine presence, and continually feel the gnawings of the worm of conscience that never dies, and the fierceness of the fire of God's wrath, that shall never be quenched, he will have a miserable bargain of it. Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Or, "for the redemption" of it, as the Ethiopic version renders it: see Psa 49:8. If he had the whole world to give, and would give it, it would not be a sufficient ransom for it; the redemption of an immortal soul requires a greater price than gold and silver, or any corruptible thing; nothing short of the blood and life of Christ, is a proper exchange, or ransom price for it. But in the other world there will be no redemption; the loss of a soul is irrecoverable: a soul once lost and damned, can never be retrieved. This passage is thought to be proverbial; what comes nearest to it, is the following (x). "If a scholar dies, we never find an exchange for him; there are four things which are the ministry or service of the world, , if they are lost, they may be changed; and they are these, gold, silver, iron, and brass, Job 28:1 but if a scholar dies, , who will bring us his exchange? or an exchange for him: we lost R. Simon, "who will bring us his exchange?".'' (x) Midrash Kohelet, fol. 72. 3, 4. T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 5. 3.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:25 Jesus’ disciples must relinquish control of their lives, even to the point of being willing to suffer and die for Christ. Jesus promised that those who follow him with such radical abandon, though they may suffer now, will be vindicated at the final judgment (see 1 Pet 2:23).