Sermon Summary / Reflection
Do you think our Christianity in our Western culture is living out what Jesus is imperatively telling us in these verses?
•In his book The Empty Church, historian Thomas C. Reeves says: “Christianity in modern America . . . tends to be easy, upbeat, convenient, and compatible. It does not require self-sacrifice, discipline, humility, an otherworldly outlook, a zeal for souls, a fear as well as love of God. There is little guilt and no punishment, and the payoff in heaven is virtually certain. What we now have might best be labeled ‘Consumer Christianity.’ The cost is low and customer satisfaction seems guaranteed.”
•In the words of A.W. Tozer, “The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it.”
IS SATAN IS STILL TRYING TO CONVINCE US CHRISTIANS THAT WE HAVE OPTIONS – that you can actually live fully for Jesus, as a committed Christian, without facing any means of suffering, rejection, or death?
Jesus tells us that we must take up our own cross in order to follow Him. How?
1) We must DENY OURSELVES
Could you take your greatest desire, dreams, ambitions and still lay them down at the cross, and deny yourself of them if it meant receiving more of Jesus?
2) We must TAKE UP OUR CROSS DAILY
In the thoughts of A.W. Tozer, taking up your cross has you facing one way, there is no looking back, and no further plans of his own.
3) Must not be ASHAMED for following Christ
Romans 1:16: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because IT IS THE POWER of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…”
2 Timothy 1:12: “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”
Friend, is Jesus asking you to let go, not be afraid, and take up your daily cross, and follow Him with your all?
"Thou, O Lord, hast made me willing to come to Thee. Thou hast subdued my rebellious heart by Thy love. So now take it and use it for Thy glory. Whatever rebellious thoughts may arise therein, do Thou overcome them and bring into subjection everything that opposeth itself to Thy authority. I yield myself unto Thee as one alive from the dead, for time and eternity. Take me and use me entirely for Thy glory.” - A.B. Simpson
Blessings,
Pastor Trevor