Luke 9:23-26

Carrying the Cross


Introduction:

The call to discipleship involves carrying a cross. It is this very point that separates nominal Christianity from genuine Christian living. This separates the pseudo Christian from the genuine. This divides the tares from the wheat and the goats from the sheep.

What are true Disciples made of?

  1. True disciples once and for all say no to self – Phil. 3:7-11

  2. True disciples must voluntarily and decisively carry the pain, shame and persecution of the cross.

  3. True disciples must follow and keep on following Christ – I Pet.2:2; John 15:14; Eph.4:32; 5:2)


  1. THE NATURE OF CARRYING THE CROSS

    1. Discipleship not an isolated concept – Matt. 10:38; 16:24; Mk. 8:34; Luke 9:23; 14:27)

    2. Self Denial – Is what the cross is all about. (Martyn Lloyd Jones)

      1. Asceticism

      2. Holiness Moment

      3. Contemporary Scene

      4. Easy believism – “Try Jesus”


    1. Saying Yes to the Lord. What cross bearing involves:

      1. Prayer and Bible study – Heb. 5:11-14

      2. Choosing to do the items Jesus lists in Matthew 25:31-46

      3. Being a living and vocal witness of the gospel – Act 1:8

      4. Guarding against intrusions that would keep us from consistently worshiping God on the Lord’s day – Rom.12:12


  1. THE DEMANDS OF CARRING THE CROSS

    1. Perpetual – I John 2:19

    2. Personal – Mark 7:16

    3. Painful – Gal. 3:13; Heb.12:2

    4. Mortal – (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)


Conclusion:


      1. Paradoxically one can lose his life by trying to save it- (v. 24,25; Luke 17:33; Matt.10:39; 12:25)

      2. Spending your life for Christ – (William Barclay)

      3. Hyperbole – (an exaggerated figure of speech) – v.25; Mark 8:35


Pastor Nick Iamaio

Reformed Presbyterian Church

207 South First Street, Fulton, NY 13069

Web Site fultonrpc.org

3/2/2008