”Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” | Matthew 16: 24

To deny yourself is not refusing yourself something that you want, even if it is for the greater good.

That is temperance or self control.

Neither is the idea of giving up something you love as an effort to sacrifice for God, denying yourself.

That is self-righteousness.

To deny yourself has nothing to do with “things” at all, but rather, it has to do with you.

”His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance. For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.” (Psalm 21: 5-7)

It is to remove yourself from the equation in the accomplishment of a thing.

It is to give all glory to God.

It is to say with Paul, “Not I but Christ,” with John, “He must increase and I must decrease” and with Jeremiah, “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

~ Pastor Tim James

Click here to listen to the message “The Mission of the Messiah” (43:31 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 8 April, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky