STS | Enduring The Cross | DEC. 10th 2023 | Min. Stephen Olusa

Last Sunday we began to trace God’s prescribed process for making men, and we saw that Jesus’ invitation, “Come, follow me, and I will transform you,” has conditions. Today I pressed deeper into those conditions by clarifying what the cross is not (not self-mutilation, not sickness, not an ornament, not a synonym for persecution) and what it truly is—God’s instrument for destroying sin and Satan’s works, and the symbol of our readiness to follow Christ at all cost. I warned that no one can carry your cross for you; the call is personal and non-transferable.

We then uncovered three veils that hinder sight and following. First, the veil of religion (the veil of Moses), which lifts when one turns to the Lord. Second, the veil of deception spread over the nations—fueled by false ministers, impressive signs, and human-centered philosophies that sound logical but are darkened in understanding. Third, the veil of the flesh, pictured by the two veils in the tabernacle: five pillars granting grace-access to the holy place, and four pillars signaling the new-creation access required for the most holy place. Only the torn flesh of Jesus tore the final veil; by His blood we have boldness to enter.

From there we got practical. Jesus gives us three imperatives with three objects: deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. “Self” is not your name or personality; it is the old man, the carnal mindset that cannot please God. We deny that self like Peter denied Jesus—decisively. We learn Christ (not merely learn about Him) until His life unfolds within us. We submit to the Spirit, because mortification is not by routines but by power. We know and declare the truth of our crucifixion with Christ, and we put it into action: put off the old, put on the new, guard our words, refuse bitterness, forgive, and walk in love. We practice this daily and we stay accountable to the people God assigns to us. The veil is torn; now walk through.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Deny the old self decisively Self-denial is not personality suppression; it is refusing the carnal mind that resists God. Like Peter’s denial—clear, verbal, and final—we say “I don’t know you” to the patterns that once ruled us. The old man is not to be sedated but reckoned dead, and treated as such. This is the first gate into real following. [33:55]
• 2. Expose and reject global deception Deception wears religious clothes and humanistic brilliance; it can come with “great signs” and still alienate the heart from God. The Spirit unmasks corrupted logic that flatters the mind but blinds the soul. Stay with the Word, and let light displace the covering cast over the nations. [06:49]
• 3. Enter by the torn veil of Christ Access to God’s life is not earned by effort but received by new birth. Jesus’ flesh was torn so that the final veil would be removed; resurrection life is now on open display. Come with boldness, not bravado—His blood, not your performance, is your way in. [25:47]
• 4. Learn Christ, not mere information When Christ teaches you, He unfolds His life within you, often through obedience in ordinary moments. Sometimes He tests willingness more than outcomes, shaping reflexes to say “yes” before you see the benefit. Formation happens where submission is real and immediate. [41:56]
• 5. Practice the cross daily, in community Truth believed must be walked: put off, put on, watch your words, refuse bitterness, forgive. Dying daily is not dramatic; it’s faithful, repeated choices that make room for the Spirit’s life. Stay accountable—following assigned guides keeps you from slow drift. [51:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:12] - Conditions of following Jesus
• [03:59] - No one can carry your cross
• [06:49] - Veil of deception and false ministers
• [10:06] - Corrupted logic, humanistic philosophies
• [13:25] - Tabernacle overview: three sections
• [18:55] - The two veils and their meaning
• [22:16] - New birth as true access
• [25:47] - Veil torn: resurrection life revealed
• [28:59] - Deny self, take cross, follow
• [31:07] - Peter: hearing God, then Satan
• [38:23] - What true self-denial entails
• [45:39] - Know and declare crucified life
• [51:22] - Put off/put on; daily practice
• [54:55] - Accountability and closing prayer

1. In Matthew 16:24, what are the three commands and the three objects tied to them? How do they pair together?
2. List four things the cross is not, as clarified: which ones stood out to you and why? ([01:12])
3. What three veils were described (religion, deception, flesh), and for one of them, where do we see it in Scripture? ([13:25])
4. When Jesus died, what signs took place with the temple veil and around the city? ([25:47])

1. In Matthew 16:24, what does “himself” mean? How do Romans 8:7–8 help explain that “self” is the carnal mind/old man, not one’s name or personality? ([33:55])
2. Why is taking up the cross a personal and non-transferable call? What does this show about the nature of following Jesus? ([03:59])
3. The first inner curtain was hung on five pillars and the second on four. What might five (grace) and four (creation) suggest about access and new birth, and how should that shape how a person approaches God? ([18:55])
4. How can “corrupt logic” look smart and still blind the heart (Ephesians 4:17–18 TPT)? What safeguards keep a person from such deception? ([10:06])

1. Deny the old self decisively: Identify one recurring thought or reflex from the “old man” that shows up in your week (envy, sharp words, self-pity, people-pleasing, lust, revenge). How will you verbally deny it—“I don’t know you”—the next time it knocks? Practice the sentence now. ([38:23])
2. Expose and reject deception: Where do you most absorb “corrupt logic”—social media, podcasts, WhatsApp threads, a work circle? What is one concrete step this week to replace that input with Scripture light? Which passage will you sit in daily? ([10:06])
3. Enter by the torn veil: In approaching God, where do you still lean on performance instead of the blood of Jesus? What would “boldness, not bravado” look like in your prayer time this week? Set one unhurried time to come near through His blood. ([22:16])
4. Learn Christ, not mere information: Share a recent small nudge to obey (apologize, wait, be silent, give, change a route). Did you obey? What did you learn about Christ’s life unfolding in you? What “yes” is He inviting you to this week? ([41:56])
5. Declare the truth of your crucified life: Write a short Galatians 2:20 declaration you can speak morning and night this week. Who will you share it with for encouragement? Say it out loud together now. ([47:35])
6. Put off/put on in community: Choose one “put off” and one “put on” from Ephesians 4:25–32 (e.g., put off bitterness; put on kindness). What specific words or actions will that mean tomorrow? Who will lovingly ask you about it midweek? ([51:22])
7. Accountability for the long road: Who is a godly person God has placed near you to help you follow Jesus? What is one way you will invite their input this month? If you don’t have one, what is your next step to seek one this week? ([54:55])