Accepting the Cross
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Accepting the truth about the cross
Accepting the truth about the cross
Peter as an instrument to Satan
Excerpt From: A. W. Tozer & Ravi Zacharias. “The Radical Cross.” Apple Books. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-radical-cross/id986613418?mt=11
Excerpt From: A. W. Tozer & Ravi Zacharias. “The Radical Cross.” Apple Books. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-radical-cross/id986613418?mt=11
“All this it did and continued to do as long as it was permitted to remain what it had been originally—a cross. Its power departed when it was changed from a thing of death to a thing of beauty. When men made of it a symbol, hung it around their necks as an ornament or made its outline before their faces as a magic sign to ward off evil, then it became at best a weak emblem, at worst a positive fetish. As such it is revered today by millions who know absolutely nothing about its power.”
Excerpt From: A. W. Tozer & Ravi Zacharias. “The Radical Cross.” Apple Books. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-radical-cross/id986613418?mt=11
Excerpt From: A. W. Tozer & Ravi Zacharias. “The Radical Cross.” Apple Books. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-radical-cross/id986613418?mt=11
that it was determined for Jesus Christ to die on the cross
Excerpt From: A. W. Tozer & Ravi Zacharias. “The Radical Cross.” Apple Books. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-radical-cross/id986613418?mt=11
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
It was the purpose for Jesus Christ coming to earth
Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,
But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
Luke 9:55-
But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
John 12:
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
The revelation revealed in verse 21 was preceded by Peter’s confession on who Jesus is
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
The New King James Version Chapter 16
From that time
From that time - Jesus always walked according to the time table of His Father and His sovereign will
Jesus’ life was governed by the sovereign will of the Father
The timing of His birth
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
The timing of His ministry
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew
The timing of His death
And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” ’ ”
Matthew
Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
Luke 22:
But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
John 12:
“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
Jesus walked in the sovereign will of the Father
But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
Jesus began to show to His disciples - Jesus is preparing His disciples for the certainity of the cross. No turning back
Jesus begins speaking clearly about the cross
His ministry was based upon the Father’s plan
Before this time Jesus’ death was referred to but not as plainly
Was Jesus calling Peter Satan or was Jesus speaking directly to Satan? Either way Peter was being used as an instrument and representative of Satan
The Old Testament gave shadows or hints of the cross
The promise in the garden
The Old Testament
And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”
It was a tree that expelled the man and woman from paradise.
It would be a tree that would open up the way back into paradise
Abraham and Isaac some believe the spot they traveled to is close to the spot of the crucifixion
But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
The Passover Lamb
Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
1 Corinthians 5:7
Simeon in the Temple
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2:25-35
John the Baptist
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Jesus Himself
Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
John 2
Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
John 2:19-
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
This follows Peter’s confession on who Jesus is
That He must go to Jerusalem - the city were He is to die
Jerusalem = foundation of peace (Hebrew)
It was fitting that most violent and unjust act of history should take place in and near the city of peace. For it was through this act that peace with God was made possible the only secure and safe peace agreement ever made
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Jesus had no options
Jesus willingly journey to Jerusalem
And suffer many things - Experiencing physical or emotional pain. The prayer in the Garden, the arrest, the trials, and the crucifixion
From the elders, and chief priests and scribes, - Sanhedrin
This ruling body was the main group instrumental in bringing Jesus to trial and bringing accusation about Him before Rome
And be killed, - Jesus literally died
and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”
And be raised again the third day - Jesus literally rose from the dead. His heart had stopped and His heart began to beat again
The cross is repulsive to the human mind
Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, -
Peter failed many times due to depending upon his own flesh and mind
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luke 22:
Peter showed he had good theology previously but he still lacked spiritual understanding
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Our response to the cross reveals in a small way God’s response to our sin
Saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” -
This shall not happen to You!” -
Possibly Peter’s love and loyalty for the Savior moved him to make this statement but his response showed he nor the others understood the plan of salvation
If Jesus established His kingdom as they wanted what would life be like? Use Lazarus death as an illustration
Peter and the others were blinded to who or what was their greater enemy. It wasn’t Rome or the Sanhedrin
So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15: 54-
For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
All the disciples saw the coming Messiah and His kingdom through their own fallible interpretation of the Old Testament.They could never fully comprehend or understand His suffering until after the resurrection. It didn’t make sense to them this would be the way Jesus Christ would establish His kingdom
Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 16
To this day, all who fail to see the damning power of sin are blind to the true necessity of the cross. They see in Christ crucified (since he was, indeed, crucified) nothing but a noble martyrdom, a sacrifice only in this sense and reject “the blood theology” of the gospel, the sacrifice which involves substitution, redemption by the blood of God’s Son, and the cleansing of the soul from guilt by faith in this sacrificial blood. Thus they need no essential Son in their theology, and his resurrection may be regarded as a myth. Like Peter, they would have a kingship without the Messianic priesthood. But the very thing for which Peter started to rebuke Jesus afterward became the kernel, yea, the Alpha and the Omega, of his apostolic preaching.
The cross is resisted by Satan
But He turned and said to Peter, -
Peter probably was unaware but nevertheless was being used as an instrument by Satan
Jesus would confront this deceptive temptation face to face
Get behind Me, Satan! - “Get out of my sight!” (Lenski)
Satan’s temptation was similar to Peter’s statement
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly 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 will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Matthew 4:8-11
Satan is ok with christianity as long as it doesn’t emphasis the cross with it’s power of God to save
He’s Ok with making the church more acceptable so it can fit into the world’s plan but don’t be divisive by saying all must bow at the foot of the cross in order to be accepted by God
He will accept a beautiful cross on a neckless or stained glass window but don’t reveal the true stench and anguish suffered on a cross
The cross itself has no saving power for many had died on a cross maybe even the one Jesus Christ hung upon. It wasn’t the wood of a tree but it was the One who made the tree dying on it as the sacrifice to pay sin its wages. Dying to redeem and restore all that was lost in the Garden of Eden
Jesus let the devil know He would have no part in listening to his lies or accept an escape clause from the cross
For Jesus was controlled by the sovereign plan of God’s salvation that He, the Father, and the Spirit had planned in eternity past.
You are an offense to Me, - a stumbling block or trap
Jesus did not find Peter’s statement commendable but considered it a stumbling block (compare the rock ).
Peter’s statement that would have sent him and the rest of us to hell if Jesus listened
Because of Jesus obedience to the Father and not to Peter’s wishes the cross has become the stumbling block
and
“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
and
“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
Galatians 5:
1 Peter 2
And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” -
but the things of men.” -
and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”
Matthew 20
The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 16
To this day, all who fail to see the damning power of sin are blind to the true necessity of the cross. They see in Christ crucified (since he was, indeed, crucified) nothing but a noble martyrdom, a sacrifice only in this sense and reject “the blood theology” of the gospel, the sacrifice which involves substitution, redemption by the blood of God’s Son, and the cleansing of the soul from guilt by faith in this sacrificial blood. Thus they need no essential Son in their theology, and his resurrection may be regarded as a myth. Like Peter, they would have a kingship without the Messianic priesthood. But the very thing for which Peter started to rebuke Jesus afterward became the kernel, yea, the Alpha and the Omega, of his apostolic preaching.
The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 16
To this day, all who fail to see the damning power of sin are blind to the true necessity of the cross.
The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 16
So also, “get thee behind me,” means, “Get out of my sight!”
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Matthew 4
The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 16
Unwittingly and though moved by the best intentions Peter had made himself an agent of Satan. What a warning to watch our love, our good intentions, our best acts, lest, perhaps after all, they agree with Satan and not with Christ.
Later Judas would allow Satan to control him completely
The One going to the cross
Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
John
The response of the flesh to the cross
Satan is active in the church
The weakness of the flesh
The confession Peter points to the grace of God
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 16:
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?
Acts
And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
The fact that the Scriptures tell us the faults of the apostles so openly and so truthfully proves their absolute reliability. These faults comfort us, not as excuses for our faults, but as assurances that Christ will not reject us on their account but will correct our faults as he did those of Peter.
Mark 4:
Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel (p. 641). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.
Accepting the cost
Accepting the cost
of believing in Jesus Christ who died on the cross
“With perfect knowledge of all this Christ said, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (). 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.
This, and nothing less, is true Christianity, though we cannot but recognize the sharp divergence of this conception from that held by the rank and file of evangelicals today. But we dare not qualify our position. The cross stands high above the opinions of men and to that cross all opinions must come at last for judgment. A shallow and worldly leadership would modify the cross to please the entertainment-mad saintlings who will have their fun even within the very sanctuary; but to do so is to court spiritual disaster and risk the anger of the Lamb turned Lion.”
Excerpt From: A. W. Tozer & Ravi Zacharias. “The Radical Cross.” Apple Books. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-radical-cross/id986613418?mt=11
Excerpt From: A. W. Tozer & Ravi Zacharias. “The Radical Cross.” Apple Books. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-radical-cross/id986613418?mt=11
By believing in the cross of Jesus Christ we are commanded to take up our personal cross
Our cross is not the suffering we face simply by being human. For both believers and non-believers deal with sickness, death, relationships, financial and all that pertains to living in a fallen world
The Christian’s cross is the suffering and persecution that comes from identifying with Jesus Christ and His cross
It’s the final beatitude
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:
It causes shallow faith to stumble
yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
John 15:
Peter learned what it meant
John 15:18-21
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
Then Jesus said to His disciples, -
Then = immediately
Knowing the truth about His cross we must make a decision
If anyone desires to come after Me -
They would soon know where He was going
Their desire would be tested. Jesus was seeking a total commitment at any cost not just a easy shallow choice
During His ministry some followed Jesus:
For the miracles
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
John 2:23
For the material blessings
John 6:
Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.
For the free ticket to heaven
Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:28-
Let him deny himself -
Denying self is totally opposite of the human races’ philosophy
Promote your self
Empower your self
Be whatever you want to be
What does it mean to deny self?
Lenski commentary of Matthew
The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 16
Whoever wills to come after Christ, “let him deny himself,” ἀπό plus ἀρνέομαι, which means to turn someone off, to refuse association and companionship with him, to disown him. The one to be denied is here ἑαυτός, SELF, self altogether and not merely some portion, some fault, some special habit or desire, some outward practice. The natural, sinful self is referred to as it centers in the things of men and has no desire for the things of God. As Peter later denied Jesus saying, “I know not the man!” so must you say regarding yourself, “I disown myself completely.” This is not self-denial in the current sense of the word but true conversion, the very first essential of the Christian life. The heart sees all the sin of self and the damnation and the death bound up in this sin and turns away from it in utter dismay, seeking rescue in Christ alone. Self is thus cast out, and Christ enters in; henceforth you live, not unto yourself, but unto Christ who died for you. Moreover, you can deny only one whom you know, a friend, for instance, by breaking off relations with him. So here you are to deny your own old self and to enter into a new relation with Christ.
To deny self we must condemn our pride and humbly accept Jesus’ offer
We must surrender all concerning self and submit all to God
and take up his cross, and follow Me -
A clear and conscious choice that accepts the reality of a life of suffering
Our cross is not the suffering we face simply by being human. For both believers and non-believers deal with sickness, death, relationships, financial and all that pertains to living in a fallen world
The Christian’s cross is the suffering and persecution that comes from identifying with Jesus Christ and His cross
It’s the final beatitude
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
It causes shallow faith to stumble
yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Matthew
Persecution reveals the genuineness our relationship with Jesus Christ
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
Peter learned what it meant
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
and follow Me -
Jesus compares the choice
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, -
Temporary
Pleasures of sin and things
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
Hebrews 11:24
But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
Luke
Plans
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
James 4:13-
Power
This is the interpretation of each word. Mene: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; Peres: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”
Daniel 5:26
Eternal
Suffering and pain
Separation from God
but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it -
Temporary
Suffering and pain for the sake of Christ
Hate and rejection by the world
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:
Eternal
Pleasure and satisfaction
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
Psalm 36:
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
Psalm 36:7-
Separation
Revelation 21:3-
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:
But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Revelation 21:
And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:3
Jesus shows the value of the soul
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? -
The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 16
“the whole world”—all the world’s wealth, power, pleasure, glory, the beauty of all the fair things that ever graced the world, the sweetness of all the delicacies that it ever offered, the grandeur of all the high things that ever towered aloft on it, all sensations, all enjoyments, all achievements, all satisfactions. Of course, such a thing is frankly impossible to any human being, and that is understood. But granting the impossible and for the moment accepting it as actual, what is this man benefited if, though he have the whole world, he forfeit his ψυχή? The question answers itself.
More valuable than all the world’s wealth
and loses his own soul? -
Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? -
Man has nothing of value to offer God for the salvation of his soul
Those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the multitude of their riches,
None of them can by any means redeem his brother,
Nor give to God a ransom for him—
None of them can by any means redeem his brother,
Nor give to God a ransom for him—
Psalm 49:
Following Jesus Christ does cost us our all but to reject Him is a far higher price to pay the loss of your soul
Am I a soldier of the Cross—
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name? In the name, the precious name,
Of Him who died for me,
Through grace I’ll win the promised crown,
Whate’er my cross may be.
2
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize
And sailed through bloody seas?
3
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
4
Since I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord!
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word. —Issac Watts
The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 16
Whoever wills to come after Christ, “let him deny himself,” ἀπό plus ἀρνέομαι, which means to turn someone off, to refuse association and companionship with him, to disown him. The one to be denied is here ἑαυτός, SELF, self altogether and not merely some portion, some fault, some special habit or desire, some outward practice. The natural, sinful self is referred to as it centers in the things of men and has no desire for the things of God. As Peter later denied Jesus saying, “I know not the man!” so must you say regarding yourself, “I disown myself completely.” This is not self-denial in the current sense of the word but true conversion, the very first essential of the Christian life. The heart sees all the sin of self and the damnation and the death bound up in this sin and turns away from it in utter dismay, seeking rescue in Christ alone. Self is thus cast out, and Christ enters in; henceforth you live, not unto yourself, but unto Christ who died for you. Moreover, you can deny only one whom you know, a friend, for instance, by breaking off relations with him. So here you are to deny your own old self and to enter into a new relation with Christ.
Are we crucified with Jesus Christ?
The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 16
The cross is that suffering which results from our faithful connection with Christ. And Jesus here intimates that each disciple will have his share of such suffering.
I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
1 Corinthians 15:31
Galatians
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
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.
we’re not following a dead man
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
“The changed attitude toward the cross that we see in modern orthodoxy proves not that God has changed, nor that Christ has eased up on His demand that we carry the cross; it means rather that current Christianity has moved away from the standards of the New Testament. So far have we moved indeed that it may take nothing short of a new reformation to restore the cross to its right place in the theology and life of the Church.”
Excerpt From: A. W. Tozer & Ravi Zacharias. “The Radical Cross.” Apple Books. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-radical-cross/id986613418?mt=11
Excerpt From: A. W. Tozer & Ravi Zacharias. “The Radical Cross.” Apple Books. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-radical-cross/id986613418?mt=11