We Ought to Deny Ourselves and Imitate Christ Through Bearing the Cross
The sermon emphasizes the importance of self-denial and following Christ's example through the challenges of life, symbolized by bearing the Cross.
Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of surrendering to Christ, emphasizing the need to depart from self and fully embrace God's will without contradiction. He highlights that following Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life is essential for true living and eternal life. Kempis urges believers to keep Christ's commandments, deny themselves, and carry their crosses to find blessedness and true light.
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THE VOICE OF CHRIST
MY CHILD, the more you depart from yourself, the more you will be able to enter into Me. As the giving up of exterior things brings interior peace, so the forsaking of self unites you to God. I will have you learn perfect surrender to My will, without contradiction or complaint.
Follow Me. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Without the Way, there is no going. Without the Truth, there is no knowing. Without the Life, there is no living. I am the Way which you must follow, the Truth which you must believe, the Life for which you must hope. I am the inviolable Way, the infallible Truth, the unending Life. I am the Way that is straight, the supreme Truth, the Life that is true, the blessed, the uncreated Life. If you abide in My Way you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free, and you shall attain life everlasting.
If you wish to enter into life, keep My commandments. If you will know the truth, believe in Me. If you will be perfect, sell all. If you will be My disciple, deny yourself. If you will possess the blessed life, despise this present life. If you will be exalted in heaven, humble yourself on earth. If you wish to reign with Me, carry the Cross with Me. For only the servants of the Cross find the life of blessedness and of true light.
THE DISCIPLE
Lord Jesus, because Your way is narrow and despised by the world, grant that I may despise the world and imitate You. For the servant is not greater than his Lord, nor the disciple above the Master. Let Your servant be trained in Your life, for there is my salvation and true holiness. Whatever else I read or hear does not fully refresh or delight me.
THE VOICE OF CHRIST
My child, now that you know these things and have read them all, happy will you be if you do them. He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves Me. And I will love him and will show Myself to him, and will bring it about that he will sit down with Me in My Father's Kingdom.
THE DISCIPLE
Lord Jesus, as You have said, so be it, and what You have promised, let it be my lot to win. I have received the cross, from Your hand I have received it. I will carry it, carry it even unto death as You have laid it upon me. Truly, the life of a good religious man is a cross, but it leads to paradise. We have begun -- we may not go back, nor may we leave off.
Take courage, brethren, let us go forward together and Jesus will be with us. For Jesus' sake we have taken this cross. For Jesus' sake let us persevere with it. He will be our help as He is also our leader and guide. Behold, our King goes before us and will fight for us. Let us follow like men. Let no man fear any terrors. Let us be prepared to meet death valiantly in battle. Let us not suffer our glory to be blemished by fleeing from the Cross.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The necessity of self-denial
- The call to follow Christ
- The promise of eternal life
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II
- Understanding the commandments
- The relationship between love and obedience
- The joy of fulfilling Christ's will
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III
- The significance of carrying the Cross
- The rewards of perseverance
- The assurance of Christ's presence
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IV
- The contrast between worldly life and spiritual life
- The path to true holiness
- The importance of community in faith
Key Quotes
“Follow Me. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” — Thomas a Kempis
“If you wish to enter into life, keep My commandments.” — Thomas a Kempis
“Take courage, brethren, let us go forward together and Jesus will be with us.” — Thomas a Kempis
Application Points
- Reflect on personal desires and identify areas where you can practice self-denial.
- Commit to following Christ's teachings in daily life, especially in challenging situations.
- Encourage others in your community to persevere in faith and support one another in carrying their Cross.