Luke 9:21-25 ~ For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Luke 9:21-25

²¹ And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,²² saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

²³ And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. ²⁵ For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

We just tend to pass by this Scripture unless it is Easter or Ash Wednesday.
God is always interesting.
We see three things in just this small portion. 1. The command to be silent - not to tell. 3. Horrible suffering for the only one called GOOD. 2. And a reminder not to be lost in worldly standards because this is important.

Part One Jesus gave people Miracles. The type of miracles that Change Lives.
 And He did the unfathomable - He said, "Don't tell."

Why? For a very important reason. It was for them alone. Personally. Just the way Jesus took the deaf man aside. He took him away from the crowd...

Mark 7:33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue.

Jesus did such a 'country' thing. Like spitting into His hand and shaking over a bargain. This is the same Savior who did so many amazing things.

 What is your favorite thing Jesus has done for you in Scriptures and in your life?

Jesus is for you. Personally. This is God and He is man and He is - yours. Knows you, loves you, created you to be you. Knows all the terrible junk that is just terrible.

 Which brings us to the Second Part  - don't be lost.
Be Saved in Jesus Christ.

Which we'll split into 2 a, 2 b, 2 c. On being lost.

2a Newbie) We read about Bob Dylon and even John Lennon went through this phase of being Christian. And it was a....phase. Because they felt like God was jumping all over them to spread their real joy in God's Love and publicly declare "I"M A CHRISTIAN!!" And then the whole world just jumped all over them, gave them intense sarcasm and generally created Fresh Hell. And come on... it was hell. Who would have wanted to stand in that line of fire? Believe me, I was the First Vice-President of a very affluent big-city, highfalutin (you can tell by the title there were several officers) Garden Club and there was a meeting people just fell over themselves laughing that someone would even stop to consider the phrase. "For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?"

Because to the broader world, one jumps on the money. Wouldn't it make Jesus so sad for someone to have to be a baby fresh Christian and take that kind of fire when He Did the Suffering.

We dramatically lessen salvation when we don't give Jesus glory for His sacrifice. Just in our heart acknowledge JESUS did it all.

Timothy 3:6
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. One more example of God is Really for Us. Okay. Now 2b. Lukewarm? Revelation 3:6


So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Sounds.... bad to me. Therefore, we've established lukewarm isn't a good place. 2c. A mature believer. Subset i and ii. 2c Subset i. What is God asking of us in our day to day, regular lives? That surprisingly teaches us a lot.

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Love this really well.)


2c Subset ii Mature Christian - Living Large. Indent and Squiggle Line. Because what comes after subset? 2c Subset ii A Mature Christian - Living Large, but quite selfishly. Sticking just to the 'rules'.
Matthew 19


If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” ¹⁸ He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, ¹⁹ Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 
2c Subset ii B Mature Christian - Living Large, but with empathy...


Matthew 19 ²⁰ The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” ²¹ Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²² When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. ~~~ Bear in mind, we have already established lukewarm - isn't good. Where does that leave each of us on a day to day basis? We are all over the place. Fortunately, this is what God says:

Matthew 19
²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” ²⁶ But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

3. (Because this is the bottom line - how much God loves you. ) If you were the only person on the entire planet, and God knows we all are somewhat rotten, and sinful and selfish, - Jesus would still be there as our atonement. Jesus is for each person. Individually. Amazing Love - Jesus has for each of us. For you.

The point is -

what does it boil down to be a follower of Jesus Christ -

it is the question to ask ourselves each day. Regardless of Ash Wednesday or not. What would Jesus have me do.

Love the Lord with all my might. To love the people around us. 

Without that Love.... our lives are shallow.

God asks us to be who He specifically created us to be. He created us for His glory. Each day - to bring Him joy by believing Him, by honoring Him. It is why we are here.

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