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The cross of Christ
The cross of old Roman times knew no compromise; it never made concessions. It won all its arguments by killing its opponent and silencing him for good.
- It spared not Christ, but slew Him the same as the rest.
- He was alive when they hung Him on that cross and completely dead when they took Him down six hours later.
- That was the cross the first time it appeared in Christian history.
- The cross effects its ends by destroying one established pattern, the victim's, and creating another pattern, its own. Thus it always has its way.
- It wins by defeating its opponent and imposing its will upon him. It always dominates. It never compromises, never dickers nor confers, never surrenders a point for the sake of peace. It cares not for peace; it cares only to end its opposition as fast as possible.
- With perfect knowledge of all this Christ said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24).
- So the cross not only brings Christ's life to an end, it ends also the first life, the old life, of every one of His true followers.
- It destroys the old pattern, the Adam pattern, in the believer's life, and brings it to an end. Then the God who raised Christ from the dead raises the believer and a new life begins.
What is the Cross we are to take up?
Jesus on Matters concerning the cross!
Matthew 16: 24Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it....
Matthew 10:38
whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
What is this old life the Cross renders a death sentence to?
Luke 14:25
25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
Luke 14:26
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27
and whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
- Christ must be first Vs 25
- Christ must come before family Vs 26
- Christ must come before self Vs 27
- A man must give thought to Discipleship / Count the cost and the consequences Vs 28-33
Luke 14:28-
- 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
- 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
- 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
- 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
- 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
- 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
John 13:34-35 (LOVE)
34 A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 8:31 (STEADFASTNESS)
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 15:8 (FRUITFULNESS)
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Closing
2 Cor. 6:16 - 18
16Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17"Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18"And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.
What does being Christ Disciple mean?
- His Heart: Total devotion and commitment
- His Mind: Being permeated and controlled by Christ
- His Eyes: Watching what he looks at
- His Ears: Watching what he listens to
- His Hands: Watching what he picks up and touches
- His Feet: Watching where he goes
- His Mouth: Watching what he eats, drinks, and says
- His Desires: Watching, controlling, and changing his urges and desires
- His Energy: Committing his strength, initiative and will to Christ
- His Effort and Work: Dedicating and centering all in Christ, using his efforts and work in the cause of Christ
Romans 6:6
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him,
that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
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