When Jesus said these words, He was not inviting men to simply walk behind Him. He was calling them—and us—into a life of complete change. Following Jesus is not casual; it’s costly. It’s not part-time; it’s full surrender.
The goal of this message is to show that following Jesus is more than words or religion. It is a radical, life-changing call to transformation, surrender, and daily discipleship.
From this message, I will be sharing four points with us this morning:
- It’s more than knowing about Him.
- It means becoming like Him.
- It means aligning our values with His.
- It means carrying His cross in total surrender.
1) It’s more than knowing about Him
Matthew 16:24 — “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”
Jesus lays down the cost of discipleship: self-denial, cross-bearing, and following Him. Following Jesus goes beyond intellectual belief. It requires sacrifice and rejecting self-centered desires.
To deny self is to deny pride, anger, sinful habits, and anything that competes with Christ—choosing daily to live for Christ, not for self.
James 1:22 — “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
James warns against the danger of hearing God’s Word without obedience. Knowledge without action leads to self-deception. True disciples obey. Don’t just attend church or read Scripture—live it out in your choices, relationships, and habits. Amen.
2) It means becoming like Him
John 10:27 — “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
Jesus identifies His followers as His sheep—those who hear, recognize, and obey His voice. Discipleship is about relationship, recognition, and obedience.
With so many competing voices in the world, we must listen carefully for the Shepherd’s guidance and walk in His footsteps.
1 John 2:6 — “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.”
Abiding in Christ requires living like Him. To become like Jesus means imitating His character—His humility, holiness, love, and obedience. Model Christ in your speech, your service, and your love. Let your life reflect His life. Amen.
3) It means aligning our values with His
John 14:6 — “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”
Jesus makes an exclusive claim: He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Following Him means embracing His truth as the standard—not society, culture, or tradition.
Allow Jesus to guide your decisions. Let His truth reshape your values, priorities, and worldview.
Romans 12:2 — “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Paul calls believers to reject worldly patterns and embrace transformation. A renewed mind aligns with God’s will instead of fleshly desires. Break free from cultural pressures. Renew your thinking through Scripture, prayer, and Spirit-led living. Amen.
4) It means carrying His cross daily in total surrender
Galatians 2:20 — “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…”
Paul testifies that his old life ended at the cross. Christ now lives in him. Discipleship requires dying to self and living by faith and grace. Live surrendered. Let Christ rule your choices, relationships, and future.
Colossians 3:3 — “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
Paul affirms that believers are spiritually dead to the old nature and alive in Christ. Our identity and security are no longer in the world—they are hidden in Christ. Stop clinging to the old life. Walk confidently in your new identity, fully surrendered to Jesus. Amen.
Closing Charge
Following Jesus is not just an invitation—it is a command that requires everything.
So I charge you today: go beyond just knowing about Him. Strive to become like Him. Align your values with His truth. Carry your cross daily in full surrender.
Our life is no longer our own. We walk by faith and not by sight. Everything we do must be done by faith.
Brothers and sisters, Jesus is not calling for part-time followers. He is calling for true disciples. Let us arise and declare:
“I will deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Jesus only.”
