Pick Up Your Cross

Beyond the Cross: Glimpses of Ultimate Hope

Bible Passage: Mt 16:24–28, Da 7:9–14

Summary: In Matthew 16:24-28, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of self-denial and sacrifice as integral to discipleship, warning that the path of following Him is laden with challenges. Daniel 7:9-14 presents a prophetic vision revealing God's divine authority and the establishment of His everlasting Kingdom through the Son of Man, who signifies hope and redemption.

Application: This message encourages believers to embrace their struggles and sacrifices in faith, reminding them that, despite the cost of following Christ, they are part of a larger redemptive narrative. The glory and authority shown in Daniel's vision provide a lens of hope that empowers Christians to persevere amidst trials, knowing they are working toward eternal significance.

Teaching: The sermon illustrates that while discipleship requires sacrifice, it ultimately promises resurrection and restoration. It teaches that the trials of faith are transformative experiences leading to greater communion with Christ as we await His glorious return.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus is the fulfillment of the 'Son of Man' from Daniel, emphasizing His dual role as both suffering servant and conquering King. The Scriptures illustrate a comprehensive narrative where Christ's suffering leads to the establishment of His eternal Kingdom, bridging the gap between current struggles and future glory.

Big Idea: Though the journey of discipleship demands much, it leads to the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ's kingdom, which will be fully revealed in His glory.

1. Sacrifice Leads to Life

Mt 16:24-25

Charge: If anyone wishes to follow me...”

But he let them know where He is going

Matthew 16:21 “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.”

WHY FOLLOW

To follow Jesus:

There must be something worth going toward

Revelation 21:3–5 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.””

Revelation 22:3–4 “There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.”

There must be Something Worth escaping

B/C:

Romans 8:12 “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—”

We (Christians, too) are indebted to live according to the flesh

Born into sin; in sin, around sin, from sin, to sin

In our natural state, We are helpless to serve the flesh

Last week: we talked about our lack of understanding of the Consequence of sin

Confusion

Lostness

Estrangement from God

If you want to follow Me, then

1Jn 3

Deny Self

Who are you?

What is your Identity

In Christ or Self

Pick Up your Cross

Follow Me

2. Eternal Gain in Loss

Mt 16:26-28

WHY NOT FOLLOW?

Matthew 4:8–10 “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ””

You CAN inherit the kingdoms of the world...

And there is a certain glory and appeal to it...

You can have everything you want...

and reject the will of God

W/O God

Eve obtained wisdom she never knew

The Descendants of Adam covered the Earth in wickedness

The men of Babel made a great city with a great glorious tower

Ishmael was multiplied and given a nation

Esau sustained himself

The Egyptians built a great nation

The Philistines captured the Ark

Israel demanded a King other then God

Saul slain thousands

Assyria took Israel

Babylonia captured Judah

The Persians built a great nation

The Romans built a great nation

3. Majesty Before the Throne

Da 7:9-10

But who’s world is it to give?

Satan’s?

Has Satan been afforded authority over the Earth?

Luke 4:5–8 “And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ””

John 14:30 ““I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;”

Not b/c he has been given all authority until Jesus comes again

But b/c we have given him the authority over our world

Nation

House

Family

4. The Kingdom of Glory

Da 7:11-14

Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

Da 7

Christ has been given all:

Dominion

Glory

And Kingdoms

Everlasting

So that all the peoples, nations, and men of every language might serve Him

Application

What is your Identity rooted in?

Deny Yourself, Pick up the Cross

Your performance as a parent?

You are inadequate

Lean on the Word of Wisdom

Your success at work?

Disconnected? Under-valued? insecure? Burnt out?

Focus on Kingdom Work

Your place in Church?

The bible isn’t about you

Focus on edifying one another