Today we are back to our series, “Let’s Lose Some Weight”...

  ...and today we will be discussing how we have to die to live. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV) “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” You have to die to live. Pastor Rick, we don’t even like the way that sounds. It sounds like we have to be sacrificial and willing to endure pain and suffering. Exactly. Being a Christian or being a disciple of Jesus Christ all comes down to choices doesn’t it? We die to live. If you are going to lose some weight or become a true disciple of Jesus Christ it will happen because you have made the tough choices to die to yourself. Do you really want to be a disciple?

1. What the Apostle Paul said about dying to live. I believe one of the most profound things that Paul said about living a disciplined and sacrificial life can be summed up in this simple verse: 1 Corinthians 15:31 (NIV) “I die every day--I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Here we find in scripture a truth that can help us be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. What is needed in our lives and what is needed in our church is not event oriented programs but is a lifestyle change!

2. What Jesus said about dying to live. If you think the Apostle Paul was tough about dying daily, there is a really good chance that you will not want to hear what Jesus had to say. Mark 8:34-35 (NKJV) “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.” The words to verse 35 blow my mind when it comes to dying to ourselves…For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. Just living for yourself you become a dead man walking but dying to yourself, denying yourself, and following Jesus, you find what living is all about. 

3. Let’s Lose Some Weight…let’s die to ourselves. We are surrounded by people every day who are witnesses of us living a sacrificial life or watching us take care of number one. Our family is watching and everywhere we go people are watching. To be a true disciple of Jesus you have to die daily, you have to deny yourself, take up your cross, and you have to follow Jesus. Come on, Life Church! Let’s Lose Some Weight!