Losing the Weight of Self

Losing the Weight of Self
Lakeview Baptist Church – Sermon Series: Laying Aside Every Weight
March 9th, 2025

In the final message of the Laying Aside Every Weight series, Losing the Weight of Self confronts the heaviest burden of all—self. Self-centeredness, pride, and personal ambition often hinder our walk with Christ. Drawing from 2 Timothy 2:11-15 and Hebrews 12:1-2, this sermon emphasizes the necessity of dying to self in order to live fully for Christ.

Through Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, we are reminded that self-denial is not optional—it is essential for discipleship. Jesus declared, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). To truly live in Christ, we must surrender our desires, our control, and our self-reliance.

Using the illustration of polished rocks—each unique yet covered in remnants of the earth—this message challenges believers to recognize the grip of self and let go. Just as the world clings to the believer, so does the temptation to prioritize self over surrender to God.

The call to action is clear: Lay aside the weight of self. Come forward, place the burden on the altar, and leave it there as a commitment to live fully for Him. True freedom, joy, and peace come when we relinquish self and fix our eyes on Jesus—the author and finisher of our faith.