Chapter 1: A Preliminary Discourse, In Which the Proposition Is Comprised

Chapter 1. A Preliminary discourse, wherein the Proposition is Comprised.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, 2 Timothy 3:16. The Word is compared to a Lamp, for its illuminating quality, Psalm 119:105. And to Silver refined, for its enriching quality, Psalm 12:6. Among other parts of Sacred Writ, this is not the least, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself.

These words are dropped from the lips of Christ, the Oracle of Truth. In the preceding verse, our Blessed Savior did foretell his Passion, The Son of man must suffer many things. And his suffering is set down in two expressions:

1. He must be rejected; Thus he was The stone which the builders refused, Psalm 118:22.

2. He must be slain. This Diamond must be cut. He who gave life to others, must himself die. And as Christ did thus abase himself for us, so we must deny ourselves for him; And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself. Self-denial is the foundation of Godliness, and if this be not well laid, all the building will fall. Let me explain the words.

1. And he said to them all] Self-denial is of Universal extent, it concerns all, it respects both Ministers and People. Christ spoke it as well to his Apostles, as the rest of his hearers.

2. If any man will come after me] If he will follow me as the soldier does his General: if he will arrive at that place of Glory where I am going,

3. Let him deny himself.] Beza and Erasmus render it, let him lay aside, or reject himself. Self-denial is a kind of Self-annihilation. The words have two parts: 1. A Supposal, If any man will come after me] 2. An Imposal, Let him deny himself. This word, Let him deny, is not only a permission, but an injunction; it carries in it the force of a command: As if a King should say, Let it be enacted.

The Proposition I shall insist on, is, That a good Christian must be a Self-denier. Let him deny himself.

Chapter 1. A Preliminary Discussion, Containing the Main Proposition.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, 2 Timothy 3:16. The Word is compared to a Lamp for its ability to give light, Psalm 119:105. It is also compared to Silver refined for its ability to enrich, Psalm 12:6. Among all the parts of Sacred Scripture, this passage stands out: If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself.

These words come from the lips of Christ, the Oracle of Truth. In the verse before this, our Blessed Savior predicted His suffering: The Son of man must suffer many things. His suffering is described in two ways:

1. He must be rejected. He was The stone which the builders refused, Psalm 118:22.

2. He must be slain. This Diamond had to be cut. He who gave life to others had to die Himself. And just as Christ humbled Himself for us, so we must deny ourselves for Him: And He said to them all, if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself. Self-denial is the foundation of godliness, and if this foundation is not laid well, the whole building will collapse. Let me explain these words.

1. And He said to them all] Self-denial has universal scope. It concerns everyone and applies to both ministers and laypeople. Christ spoke this to His Apostles as well as the rest of His listeners.

2. If any man will come after Me] If he will follow Me as a soldier follows his General -- if he wants to reach the place of glory where I am going,

3. Let him deny himself.] Beza and Erasmus translate this as: let him lay aside or reject himself. Self-denial is a kind of self-emptying. The words have two parts: 1. A condition: If any man will come after Me] 2. A requirement: Let him deny himself. This phrase, Let him deny, is not just a permission but a command. It carries the force of a royal decree, as if a King should say, Let it be enacted.

The main point I will focus on is this: A true Christian must be a self-denier. Let him deny himself.