Embrace It

Luke 9:23 M:BCL

23 Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how.

Oh neighbor, it is time to embrace it!

Oh neighbor, will you embrace it!

Introduction

According to Psychology Today,

the average high school student has the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the early 1950’s.  They say this is the most depressed, anxious, and lonely generation yet; and that was even before 2020.

In response,

Julie Fournier, in here book, “The Art Of Embracing Adversity: A Guide To Living A Meaningful Life In The Midst Of Losses, Setbacks, And Uncertainty”

​states young people are capable of great things, and are unstoppable; because even though you are facing setbacks, failure, doubt, and adversity, you continue pushing through it all. Not only do you keep going, but you also thrive in adversity. ​

Young people, Ms. Fournier goes on further to say adversity can be used to launch you into greatness. That you don’t simply have to get through, avoid, or overcome adversity, but you can embrace it and become a better person on the strength of it.

You see Church:

Successful people and unsuccessful people all have one thing in common: they face adversity.

In fact everyone faces adversity. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is that successful people embrace adversity.

Walt Disney was told he was not creative enough and had no good ideas.

Oprah Winfrey was told she was not cut out for television and was fired for getting too emotionally invested in her stories.

Einstein did not speak until he was four years old.

Michael Jordan and Bob Cousy were both cut from their high school basketball team.

Bill Walsh didn’t win a single game in his first season as an NFL Head Coach.

Beethoven was told he was hopeless as a composer.

Benjamin Franklin dropped out of school at the age of 10.

Professional surfer, Bethany Hamilton had her arm bitten off by a shark.

Thomas Edison had around 10,000 failed attempts when trying to invent the light bulb.

According to basketballispsychology.com, these people did not simply endure the adversity, they embraced it. These people became successful not in spite of the adversity they faced,

but because of the adversity they faced.

Adversity brings something out of us that ease never could!

Emma Seppälä, Ph.D., Lecturer at the Yale School of Management, Faculty Director of the Yale School of Management's Women's Leadership says in her 2015 journal article there is

A Chinese saying "Chi Ku Shi Fu" (eating bitterness is good fortune) that highlights the idea that there is the opportunity for wisdom and growth in suffering. While we don't have control over the situations that life will bring to us, we do have a choice as to how we will react to them.

In our "pursuit for happiness" alone we can choose to let negative events bring us down.

Or, by fundamentally understanding that our life is characterized by contrasts, we can start to experience gratitude and grow to greater levels of well-being, perspective, and wisdom

In other words our adversities become an opportunity for us to grow and mature...

If I had not lost the job...

If he had not left me then...

If I had not failed the test, then…

If my parents had not made me play the sport or take music lessons...

James 1:2–4 (ESV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

And this takes me to the context of our passage for today…Jesus is talking about discipleship

the incubator for teaching and maturing Christians...

Hence discipleship is important for followers of Jesus

Discipleship is the process of devoting oneself to a teacher to learn from and become more like them.

For the Christian, this refers to the process of learning the teachings of Jesus and following after his example in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Discipleship not only involves the process of becoming a disciple but of making other disciples through teaching and evangelism.

Discipleship in the OT is fundamentally about learning what is required from the Torah and submitting to it in obedience. The Hebrew terms יָסַר (yāsar, “to instruct”) and לָמַד (lāmad, “to teach”) fit the idea of discipleship well, as they both strongly imply a change in behavior as a result of the instruction.

In the NT, the word μαθητής (mathētēs, “disciple”) and other words related to μανθάνω (manthanō, “to learn”) express the idea of discipleship more narrowly. The root meaning of manthanō is “to learn,” which again ties discipleship to the concept of learning and instruction. Like the Hebrew terms, however, these words also refer not only to the transfer of information but also to the transformation of one’s lifestyle in order to be more like one’s teacher.

Transition To Body- The Son of Man Embraced It

The Christ Must Suffer Many Things

Luke 9:21–22 ESV

21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Luke The Demands of Discipleship (9:23–27; Matthew 16:24–28; Mark 8:34–9:1)

The literary location of this unit provides a clear occasion to observe how a Gospel was put together. Immediately after Jesus spoke of his own suffering and death was an appropriate time to call upon his followers to participate in the same self-giving. Such a demand would not be for the Twelve alone but for all disciples.

Body- Followers Of Jesus Embrace Difficulties Through

Self-denial For Christ’s Sake

Luke 9:23 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke Comments

This mandates a rejection of a life based on self-interest and self-fulfillment. Instead a disciple is to be one who seeks to fulfill the will and the teachings of Christ.

Manner of Life Worthy of the Gospel

Ephesians 4:1–3 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Philippians 1:27 ESV

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

So that God can put himself in you!

Isaiah 40:29–31 ESV

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Corinthians 5:17–18 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

Now To Him Who Is Able

Jude 24–25 ESV

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

1 John 4:4 ESV

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

{

So Followers of Jesus embrace difficulties:

Self-denial For Christ’s Sake

}

Sacrificial Living On A Daily Basis

Luke 9:23 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

During The Time Of our Text’s Writing

A cross was a means of execution by crucifixion in New Testament times. A criminal would be staked to a cross by the hands and feet and hung up to die (by asphyxiation). Also: Crossbearing; Theology of the Cross

Luke: An Introduction and Commentary 3. Taking up the Cross (9:23–27)

When a man from one of their villages took up a cross and went off with a little band of Roman soldiers, he was on a one-way journey. He would not be back. Taking up the cross meant the utmost in self-denial. This is Luke’s first use of the word cross and it comes with striking effect. Christ’s follower has died to a whole way of life (cf. 14:27). Luke tells us that this is not something that can be finished and got out of the way: it must be done daily

Luke Comments

Jesus’ own crucifixion reveals more fully to Luke’s readers that this call is for a commitment unto death. There needs to be willingness to suffer martyrdom if need be.

Daily Sacrifice of Paul

1 Corinthians 15:30–31 ESV

30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

Sharing in Jesus’ Sufferings Through The Power Of The Resurrection

Luke 14:27 ESV

27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Take up your cross & carry (bear) it through Spiritual Strength

Ephesians 3:20–21 ESV

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 3:9–11 ESV

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Our Burden Bearer

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. βαστάζω

of bearing anything burdensome

Psalm 55:22 ESV

22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Life In The Spirit

Romans 8:10–11 ESV

10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

{

Again Followers of Jesus embrace challenges through:

Self-denial For Christ’s Sake

and

Sacrificial Living On A Daily Basis

We do it by...

}

Continually Following Christ’s Leading

Luke 9:23 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 5:11 ESV

11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Philippians 3:17–18 ESV

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Transition To Close- Adversity is Your Boll Weevil

In the town of Enterprise, Alabama, there is a boll weevil monument. Boll weevils are pesky beetles known for destroying cotton. In the early 1900’s, the town of Enterprise, Alabama had their cotton crop devastated by the boll weevils. The economy of the small town was quickly spiraling downward thanks to the boll weevils.

A few farmers had tried planting a small amount of peanuts, but they weren’t a huge hit, so they didn’t stick with the peanuts for long. One farmer, however, was in a lot of debt. He could not afford another season of the boll weevils destroying his cotton. His banker told him he had to plant peanuts. He didn’t have a choice, so he planted only peanuts and stuck with it. As a result, he had a great year. He did so well, everyone else in the town started planting peanuts. In 1917, Coffee County sold over 5 million dollars worth of peanuts. By 1919, they were the largest peanut producing county in the United States. The economy in Enterprise was thriving. The entire town was so grateful that their economy had been saved, thanks to the boll weevils.

But why a boll weevil monument? For years the boll weevils had destroyed so much cotton and cost the farmers lots of money. If it was not for the boll weevils, the farmers would have never gone looking for a better cash crop. Thanks to the boll weevils, the farmers were doing better than ever. The adverse situation made them re-evaluate and find a better way to do things. Without the boll weevils, Enterprise, Alabama would have stayed a mediocre cotton producing town. They wouldn’t be the largest peanut producing county if it wasn’t for the boll weevils. The boll weevils were the best thing that could have possibly happened.

Adversity is your boll weevil. What if the adverse situation you are facing will lead you to discover and become a better version of yourself? When you start looking at adversity from this perspective, you won’t want to hide from it, you’ll want to build a monument out of appreciation for it.

Adversity is your boll weevil. What if, by choosing to view yourself as a hero, the adverse situation you are facing will lead you to discover and become a better version of yourself? When you start looking at adversity from this perspective, you won’t want to hide from it, you’ll want to build a monument out of appreciation for it.

The Cross is our monument!

Alas, and did my Savior bleed?   And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head   For such a worm as I?

At the cross, at the cross where   I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,   And now I am happy all the day!

1 Corinthians 2:8–10 ESV

None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Close- Embrace It

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 955 Christ’s Forgotten Mark

It is said that there was once a monk who prayed much that he might have the marks of the Lord upon his hands and feet. A vision was given him in which he was shown a mark on the Lord’s body that the world had forgotten. It was the mark upon the shoulder, and the monk learned that he could only have the marks on the hands and feet as he first had the mark upon the shoulder.

I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back. 2. Tho' none go with me, I still will follow, Tho' none go with me I still will follow, Tho' none go with me, I still will follow; No turning back, no turning back. 3. My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus; My cross I'll carry till I see Jesus, My cross I'll carry till I see Jesus; No turning back, No turning back. 4. The world behind me, the cross before me, The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back.

Immeasurable Greatness of Jesus’ Power!

Ephesians 1:19–22 ESV

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,

Jesus Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake (Give Up) You

Hebrews 13:5–6 ESV

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Go!

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Our Old Self Has Been Crucified

Romans 6:5–12 ESV

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

If You’ve Been Raised With Christ

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Our Founder & Perfecter of our Faith- Jesus Embraced the Cross!

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

You Can Make It! You Can Do It! Embrace It!

1 John 4:4 ESV

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.