Embracing the Cross: A Call to True Discipleship
Summary
In today's message, I explored the profound call of Jesus to His followers, a call that transcends the pursuit of worldly success and beckons us to a life of deeper significance. The heart of this call is found in Luke 9:23-26, where Jesus invites us to give up our own way, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. This is not a call to a life of ease or comfort, but to one of sacrifice and surrender, where the values of the kingdom of God take precedence over the allure of the American dream or any other earthly ambition.
The essence of taking up our cross is not about bearing burdens or enduring hardships as many have misunderstood. Rather, it is about aligning our lives with the life of Christ, who before carrying the physical cross, had already embraced a spiritual cross of obedience and surrender to the Father's will. This is the cross we are called to bear—a cross where our sins are forgiven, where we find healing, and where the lost are found.
In a world that is increasingly chaotic and dark, we are reminded that the cross has the final word. Despite the turmoil we witness, the promise of the Gospel is that Jesus wins in the end. As followers of Christ, we are to be beacons of light, reflecting the hope and truth of Jesus to those around us. This is our mission, and it is one that requires boldness and a willingness to go public with our faith.
To live out this calling, we must hold our lives loosely, ready to surrender everything to follow Jesus. This doesn't necessarily mean physical death, but it does mean a willingness to let go of control, to prioritize generosity, and to allow Jesus to be the conductor of our dreams. It's about living with open hands, where everything we have and are is available for God's purposes.
As we approach Easter, we are challenged to invite others to experience the life-changing message of the cross. We are equipped with resources, such as wristbands and digital wallpapers, to help us remember the significance of the cross and to share it with others. This is part of taking up our cross daily—living out the Gospel in tangible ways that invite others into the story of Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
1. Taking up your cross daily is not about enduring life's burdens but about a daily commitment to follow Jesus, prioritizing His kingdom above all else. It's a lifestyle of seeking Jesus first, which in turn shapes every aspect of our lives, from our relationships to our dreams. [46:18
2. The cross is the ultimate symbol of victory and authority. No matter how dark the world may seem, the cross reminds us that Jesus has overcome. As His followers, we are to carry this message of hope and triumph into every corner of our lives and to those we encounter. [20:57
3. Surrendering to Jesus means holding our lives with open hands, ready to give up our own way for His. This surrender is not a loss but a gateway to true life and freedom in Christ. It's about trusting Him with our desires, plans, and possessions. [38:01
4. Going public with our faith is not just a personal declaration but a communal responsibility. By sharing our faith, we hold ourselves accountable and invite others to experience the transformative power of the Gospel. This public witness is a critical aspect of discipleship. [50:51
5. The call to deny ourselves is not a call to a joyless existence but to a life where Jesus is our greatest joy. It's about finding contentment and purpose in Him, which surpasses any temporary pleasure the world can offer. [39:17
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 9:23-26 (NIV): "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "take up your cross daily"? How does this differ from common misconceptions about bearing burdens? [30:02]
2. According to the sermon, what are the three critical things Jesus asks of His followers in Luke 9:23? [31:08]
3. How does the sermon describe the significance of the cross in shaping our Christianity? [25:09]
4. What does the pastor suggest is the ultimate outcome of trying to "gain the whole world"? [47:23]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the need to "deny yourself" and "take up your cross daily"? How does this daily commitment impact a believer's life? [46:18]
2. How does the cross serve as a symbol of victory and authority in the context of a chaotic and dark world? [20:57]
3. What does it mean to hold our lives with "open hands" and allow Jesus to be the conductor of our dreams? How does this concept challenge our natural inclinations? [38:01]
4. How does going public with our faith serve as a communal responsibility and a form of accountability? [50:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate the practice of "taking up your cross daily" in a tangible way? What specific changes can you make to prioritize Jesus in your daily life? [46:18]
2. Think about a recent situation where you felt the need to control the outcome. How can you practice surrendering control to Jesus in similar future situations? [33:59]
3. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to hold things with "open hands." What steps can you take this week to trust Jesus with that area? [38:01]
4. Consider the people in your life who do not know Jesus. How can you be a beacon of light to them this week? What specific actions can you take to share the hope and truth of Jesus? [22:05]
5. Reflect on the concept of denying yourself. What is one desire or habit you need to surrender to align more closely with Jesus' teachings? How will you go about doing this? [34:32]
6. How can you use the resources provided by the church, such as wristbands or digital wallpapers, to remind yourself of the significance of the cross and to share its message with others? [55:01]
7. Think about the five questions the pastor posed regarding following Jesus even at great personal cost. Which question challenges you the most, and why? How can you seek God's help in addressing this challenge? [41:05]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the sermon’s message and apply its teachings to your daily lives. May your discussions be fruitful and transformative.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Daily Commitment to Christ
Following Jesus requires a daily commitment that redefines our priorities and reshapes our lives. This commitment is not about simply enduring life's burdens; it is an active choice to align our values and actions with the teachings of Jesus. It means waking up each day with the intention to seek Jesus first, allowing His principles to guide our relationships, our work, and our dreams. This daily act of following Jesus is a journey of transformation, where each step taken is a step away from self-centeredness and towards the love and service that Christ exemplified.
"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it." - Luke 17:33 ESV
Reflection: What is one specific way you can prioritize Jesus in your daily routine starting today? [46:18]
Day 2: The Cross as Victory and Authority
The cross is not merely a symbol of suffering; it is the ultimate emblem of victory and authority. In a world filled with darkness and chaos, the cross stands as a beacon of hope, declaring that Jesus has overcome the world. As followers of Christ, it is our privilege and responsibility to carry this message of hope into every aspect of our lives. By doing so, we affirm that no matter the challenges we face, we can be confident in the triumph of Jesus, which empowers us to live courageously and share His light with others.
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV
Reflection: How can you demonstrate the victory of the cross in a situation you're currently facing? [20:57]
Day 3: Surrendering with Open Hands
Surrendering to Jesus is an act of trust, where we open our hands and lives to God's will, ready to give up our own way for His. This surrender is not about losing our identity or joy but discovering true life and freedom in Christ. It means trusting Him with our deepest desires, plans, and possessions. As we let go of our need for control, we find that our hands are not empty; they are filled with the blessings and purposes God has in store for us.
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - Matthew 16:25 ESV
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits? [38:01]
Day 4: Public Faith as Communal Responsibility
Going public with our faith is not just a personal milestone; it is a communal act of discipleship. Sharing our faith journey holds us accountable and extends an invitation to others to experience the transformative power of the Gospel. This public witness is not about grand gestures but about living out our faith in everyday interactions, showing others the love, grace, and truth of Jesus through our words and actions.
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 ESV
Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from hearing about your faith journey, and how can you share it with them this week? [50:51]
Day 5: Joy in Self-Denial
The call to deny ourselves is not a call to a joyless existence but to a life where Jesus is our greatest joy. In Him, we find contentment and purpose that surpasses any temporary pleasure the world can offer. This self-denial is about reorienting our hearts towards the eternal joy found in Christ, allowing His love to fill us and overflow into every area of our lives.
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" - Mark 8:36 ESV
Reflection: How can you practice self-denial in a way that leads to greater joy in Jesus today? [39:17]
Quotes
1) "The cross is where our sins are forgiven, where we find healing, and where the lost are found. The cross is not just where Satan was defeated, although that happened as well. The cross is where your Christianity is shaped... Boldly pick up your cross and boldly follow Jesus." [26:14
2) "Jesus is saying to us to do the very same thing, don't turn back, don't drop the beam, go all in, and do this by seeking me daily. There's something about seeking Jesus daily that keeps putting him first." [46:18
3) "Jesus isn't asking you to live without the joys of this world; Jesus is just simply asking, can he be the number one joy? Jesus isn't asking you to give up everything to give it all away and to not save for retirement, no, that's not what he's asking. He's asking you to be generous." [39:17
4) "Jesus gave up his way, he gave up his own way, he came from Heaven to Earth, was born as a baby in a man's body, lived in a man's body fully God, and gave up his own way to live a sinless life. Jesus isn't asking you to do something he isn't doing." [35:47
5) "Jesus isn't asking you to die physically on a cross for him, but what he is asking is if you would give up everything to follow him. You don't have to give your life physically on a cross, but will you give up everything to follow me? That's what Jesus was saying." [38:01
6) "Jesus is going, 'I want you to hold your entire life like this.' Let me give you an example of what I mean by this. Jesus isn't asking you to die physically on the cross for him, but what he is asking is if you would give up everything to follow him." [38:01
7) "Jesus isn't asking you to live like a beggar, poor and without anything, but he is asking if he can own everything you have. You don't have to go live a monk's life, but can he own it all?" [38:39
8) "Jesus isn't asking you to give up your dream; Jesus is just asking, can I be the conductor of your dream? He gave you a life, he gave you desires, he wants you to enjoy this world he created. Jesus is just asking, will you hold it all like this?" [39:55
9) "Jesus gave up his way, he came from Heaven to Earth, was born as a baby in a man's body, lived in a man's body fully God, and gave up his own way to live a sinless life. Jesus isn't asking you to do something he isn't doing." [35:47
10) "Jesus is inviting you and me to do as well. How do you know if you're living a life where you're giving up your way to his way? How do you know if you're living a life where you're denying self? How do you know if you're living a life where it's death to self?" [41:05
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