Matthew 16:24-26

New King James Version (NKJV)

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.
 Matthew 16:25
New King James Version (NKJV)

25 For whoever desires to save

his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for My
sake will find it.
 Matthew 16:26
New King James Version (NKJV)

26 Forwhat 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?
 Definition of MEANINGFUL:

a : having a meaning or
purpose
b : full of meaning : SIGNIFICANT
synonyms:
serious, sincere, important, or
useful quality, deep, in
earnest.
 POINTERS # 1

A MEANINGFUL
SACRIFICE IS TO BE A
DISCIPLE OF JESUS
 Matthew 16:24
New King James Version (NKJV)

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.
 2 Corinthians 8:5
New King James Version (NKJV)

 And
5 not only as we had
hoped, but they first gave
themselves to the Lord,
and then to us by the will of
God.
 THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS ARE
PEOPLE WITH DIVINE PURPOSE &
SIGNIFICANT LIVES
1 Corinthians 15:58
 New King James Version (NKJV)
 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be
steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your labor is not in vain
in the Lord.
SACRIFICE THEIR PAST & PRESENT
LIFE
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
 New King James Version (NKJV)
 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; old things have passed away; behold,
all things have become new.
 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled
us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given
us the ministry of reconciliation,
 Ephesians 4:1-3
New King James Version (NKJV)
 1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the
Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the
calling with which you were called,
 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with
longsuffering, bearing with one another in
love,
 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace.
 POINTERS # 2
A MEANINGFUL
SACRIFICE IS TO BE
WILLING TO SACRIFICE
YOUR EARTHLY
POSSESSIONS
 Matthew 16:26
New King James Version (NKJV)

26 Forwhat 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?
 A. EARTHLY POSSESSIONS ARE
BLESSINGS, IF YOU WILL USE IT FOR
HIS KINGDOM
Proverbs 3:9-10
 New King James Version (NKJV)
 9 Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your
increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new

wine.
 Matthew 6:19-21
New King James Version (NKJV)

 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves

treasures on earth, where moth and
rust destroy and where thieves break in
and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust destroys and where
thieves do not break in and steal.
 Matthew 6:21
New King James Version (NKJV)

21
 For where your
treasure is, there
your heart will be
also.
 ACTS 4:32-35
New King James Version (NKJV)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in
heart and mind. No one claimed
that any of their possessions was
their own, but they shared
everything they had.
 ACTS 4:33
New King James Version (NKJV)

 With
33 great power the apostles
continued to testify to the
resurrectionof the Lord Jesus. And
God’s grace was so powerfully at
work in them all
 ACTS 4:34-35
New King James Version (NKJV)

 34 that there were no needy persons

among them. For from time to time
those who owned land or houses sold
them, brought the money from the
sales 35 and put it at the apostles’
feet, and it was distributed to anyone
who had need.
 B. EARTHLY POSSESSIONS WILL BE
ADDED TO YOU IF YOU SEEK FIRST
HIS KINGDOM
Matthew 6:33
 New King James Version (NKJV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of

God and His righteousness, and
all these things shall be added to
you.
 POINTERS # 3

THE MOST MEANINGFUL

SACRIFICE IS SPIRITUAL
SACRIFICE
 Matthew 16:25
New King James Version (NKJV)

25 For whoever desires to save

his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for My
sake will find it.
 A. SUFFERING FOR DOING GOOD
IS COMMENDABLE BEFORE GOD
 1 Peter 2:20
 New King James Version (NKJV)
 20 For what credit is it if, when you are
beaten for your faults, you take it
patiently? But when you do good and
suffer, if you take it patiently,
this is commendable before God.
 B. SUFFERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
SAKE IS A BLESSING
 1 Peter 3:13-17
 New King James Version (NKJV)
 13 And who is he who will harm you if you
become followers of what is good?
 14 But even if you should suffer for
righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And
do not be afraid of their threats, nor be
troubled.”
 I PETER 3:15
New King James Version (NKJV)

15 Butsanctify the Lord God in

your hearts, and
always be ready to give a
defense to everyone who asks
you a reason for the hope that is
in you, with meekness and fear;
 I PETER 3:16-17
New King James Version (NKJV)
16 having a good conscience, that when
they defame you as evildoers, those
who revile your good conduct in Christ
may be ashamed.
17 For it is better, if it is the will of God,

to suffer for doing good than for doing

evil.
 MEANINGFUL SACRIFICE
1. A MEANINGFUL SACRIFICE IS TO BE
A DISCIPLE OF JESUS
2. A MEANINGFUL SACRIFICE IS TO BE
WILLING TO SACRIFICE YOUR EARTHLY
POSSESSIONS
3. THE MOST MEANINGFUL SACRIFICE
IS SPIRITUAL SACRIFICE