Following Jesus At Any Cost 05: Give Up

Pastor Mabio Coelho

Midland SDA Church

October 2, 2021


Introduction to the series

In this series we are studying what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, what it means to follow Him. Our goal is that you are not satisfied with knowing facts about Jesus. What I want you to know is to know Jesus for all that He is, so that you can have a daily walk and real relationship with Him. In the course of four weeks that we still have, we will study exactly about that.


We have studied so far about the invitation Jesus made to each one of us, as He invite us to come as we are. It was highlighted that He is not interested in your preparation, in your credentials, but in your availability.

In this series, the emphasis is that following Jesus is practical and personal. In the Bible we are reminded several times of an important reality: Christianity is not a religion, it is a lifestyle!!! That is why in our last three encounters we focused in vary practical aspects of the life of Jesus, and consequently the life of a Christian:

  1. Know God and be in touch with Him every day through Bible Study

  2. Live a prayerful lifestyle

  3. Trust in Jesus completely



This week, I invite you to the pinnacle of our Journey. We will study together about something that is the make or break of every Christian: Learning to let go, to give up, and to put Christ as the only priority in your life.

I invite you know to bend your knee to approach God in prayer.

(Quick overview)


In the course of our last three meetings, we learned some important things:

So today we are going to look at what changes that Christ wants to inspire in our lifestyle


Before we start this morning’s study let’s go, let’s pray once more, asking God for guidance.

(pray specifically asking God to bless everyone who has something in their life that they need to abandon for total surrender to Christ)


As at other times, let's look at another story of an incident involving Jesus. As usual, I ask that, as I go on telling the story, you put yourself in it, imagine yourself living it, being the protagonist of the story and try to make this your personal story. Follow me and personalize this story: (tell the store of John 8)


There would be many struggles for her soul in the next few days as she struggled with the possibility of abandoning everything she knew. The Master loved her the way no one had ever loved her before. He valued her as a person, as the daughter of the King. He gave her something that no one had ever given before: Self-respect and identity. So, she moved away from her past and left everything behind to follow a Man who would never turn his back on her.


Have you been through this experience? Have you had this kind of encounter with Jesus? We need to understand better what happened here on this story and how we can have this experience in our own life.


1. Think of a time when you have benefited from leaving something behind. Why did you do that (left this something behind)? Think...


2. When Jesus said, in John 8:11, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” What was Jesus inviting the woman to leave behind?

Let’s illuminate this answer even further by reading Matthew 16:24-26:

“24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ”

What expectations does Jesus have of His disciples?





3. How do you leave something harmful that you like / love?

Here are some practical steps:


(a) Read 1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(NKJV)


Admit to God and your friends that you did it wrong and that you want change. Accept God's forgiveness and forgive those you need.


(b) Read Ezekiel 36:26,27:

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”


Ask God to give you a new heart and to send you the Holy Spirit to give you the power to desire the right things. Surrender yourself to God.


(c) Let us now read Acts 2:38:

“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [a]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”


Get away from what you know is wrong. Give yourself up entirely to God.

(d) Invite a trusted friend to be your prayer friend and to hold you accountable every day for being faithful to your decision. Let's read Galatians 6:2:

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ”


Each of us must share the burden of at least one other person...



(e) For another very practical advise, let’s read 2 Timothy 2:22:

“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”



Stay away from friends and environments that encourage you on the wrong path. Replace wrong with something that gives life, something edifying that comes from God.


(f) Cry out for God's promises. See Philippians 4:6-7,13,19:

“6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

“13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”



4. Think of something in your life that is keeping you away (or separating you) from Jesus. What would be the positive outcome in your life if you leave that behind today? Take the first step.



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