Prelude to the Cross

Lk 9:23–26 NKJV

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Luke 9:23 NKJV

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me...

Following Jesus starts with a desire

Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Desire) a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.

There are eleven Greek words denoting desire.

In general to desire is to

++Want or wish for

++Long for

++Lust after

++Crave

In Acts 28:22 the word desire ment to “consider worthy”

Acts 28:22 NKJV

22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”

Luke 9:23 NKJV

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself...

Following Jesus comes with a cost

To deny is to

++Repudiate or disown

++Contradict or speak against

++To say no

It is easy to say no to others

With others

++My judgement is clear

++I have clarity

++I can see the wrong

2 Samuel 12:1 NKJV

1 Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him: “There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor.

2 Samuel 12:4–5 NKJV

4 And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!

2 Samuel 12:7 NKJV

7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!...

To Deny myself is hard

To say no

++To myself

++To my desires

++To my feelings

I want

++The best

++The most

++To be happy

Luke 9:23 NKJV

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily...

Following Jesus is a daily walk

The path to great joy is paved with sorrow.

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

1 Corinthians 15:31 NKJV

31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

John 3:30 NKJV

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Taking up our cross

++Is not a religious act

++Is not a special event

++Is a daily walk of faith

Romans 5:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Grace makes the difference

By Grace

++Were are saved

++We are redeemed

++We stand in victory

John 1:17 NKJV

17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Luke 9:23 NKJV

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Following Jesus is a choice

I have decide to follow Jesus

Matthew 7:14 NKJV

14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Following Jesus

++May be difficult

++May require tears

This is my promise

Psalm 126:5–6 NKJV

5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.

It is a promise

++Of Joy

++Of Rejoicing

Ephesians 6:10–11 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.