Luke 9:23 (NASB), And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” What did Jesus teach about following Him? We must deny self. We must take up our cross daily. We must follow Him. (See Luke 9:23; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34) We must deny . “The first lesson in Christ's school is self-denial.” - Matthew Henry Jesus said “deny self” at the high point of His ministry: ... after the miracle of the loaves/fish. ... after Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ!” ... after Jesus first predicts suffering and death in Jerusalem. ... after Jesus rebukes Peter, “Get behind me Satan!” “...in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of self.” - 2 Timothy 3:1-2 We must take up our daily. Taking up our cross means taking on: Suffering for Christ. Ridicule for Christ. Death for Christ. “And you will be hated by all because of My name.” - Matthew 10:22 We must Him. “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” - John 13:17 Sow a thought; reap an act. Sow an act; reap a habit. Sow a habit; reap a character. Sow a character; reap a destiny. CONCLUSION: Luke 9:23 (NASB), And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, this is the one who will save it. 25 For what good does it do a person if he gains the whole world, but loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels.” Why deny, take and follow Him? 3 reasons… So we don’t lose the chance to build our character in this world. So the fear of rejection will not keep us from following Him. So our reputation will not be drawn from the judgment of the crown, but by the coming judgment of Christ.