Taking up the Cross
Introduction
The Gospel message is remarkably simple – trust in the cross of Jesus Christ
Following Jesus involves a cost
He tells all people before they believe
People must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus
Mark 8:31-38
There is no Christ without a cross (v31)
There is no Christian without a cross (v34)
The bible speaks about the worth of man
Jesus put a great worth on human beings – he drew near and was kind to many
In these verse Jesus puts tremendous value on the human soul (v36)
We have tremendous worth being created by God but at the same time are enemies of God because of sin
Jesus teaches that we must deny ourselves
If you are willing to lose yourself to God you will find your true self
There is emphasis on psychological self – ‘psyche’
There is also emphasis on the soul – ‘pneumos’
It is not just about finding yourself but finding true life in Christ
Clearing up Misconceptions
The disciples had been taught about the Christ in a particular way – Dan 7:14
They thought that Jesus was coming to set up a physical kingdom
Over time five different nations had ruled over Israel: the Syrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greek and now the Romans
They hadn’t understood Isa 53 that Jesus would come as a suffering servant
That the time of the Kingdom and glory would be proceeded by the cross
Jesus begins to teach them
The Son of Man must suffer
The Son of Man must be rejected by the religious world
The Son of Man must die and rise again after three days
Jesus teaches them openly (v32)
Jesus teaches:
Not only is there is no Christ without a cross (v31)
There is no Christian without a cross (v34)
What Jesus said must have been a startling revelation
The disciples had seen condemned criminals taking up their cross
They would become a reproach
Maybe this startling message needs to be given again
Some churches teach the ‘wealth, health and prosperity’ gospel
Many believe this message …
… but there is nothing about the cross, about sacrifice, about Lordship
This is aligned with secular thinking which looks only to better ones self (and not to criticise)
Jesus taught that suffering and persecution are the way of the believer
Jesus never taught a false message
Call to take up the Cross
Jesus called the disciples and the people (v34)
This is a message for all people, not just for Christians
‘Whoever’ – there is no discrimination, the message is for everybody
How do we preach Jesus today?
Do we teach as Jesus did?
Do we spell out the cost as Jesus did?
Luke 14 – two examples
The example of building a tower – count the cost (14:28-30)
You may lose friends, you may lose family, you may not be able to do the things you used to do before
The example of the King going to war (14:31-32)
Have you counted the cost?
Have you been truly saved?
Have you truly repented of your sins?
Have you said He is the pearl of great price and I will give up everything I have for Him?
We must deny ourselves
John 12:25 – he who loves his life will lose it
2 Tim 3:2 – men in the last days will be lovers of themselves
We are not to despise ourselves but reject all that it selfish about us
Gal 2:20 – I have been crucified in Christ and it is Christ who lives in me
We must follow Christ (v34)
His yoke is easy and His burden is light
Reasons for taking up our Cross
Three reasons:
For whoever desires to save His life will use it (v35)
For What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses it (v36-37)
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels (v38)