Core 52 Week 23 - The Cross Before Me

Intro:

Yale course on happiness. Taken by over 2 million people.

Professor Laurie Santos - demand is a “bit surreal but understandable given that people are looking for evidenced-based ways of improving their mental health.”

Class focuses on well-being rather than easing suffering.

Course questions conventional wisdom that we need certain things to be happy: such as:

jobs, money

perfect relationships

beauty, strength,

Possessions

We can all agree that these elements and many more give pleasure for a time but tend to be short-lived.

Other researchers on happiness characterize the belief that we gain happiness by acquiring things and people as “miswanting.”

So we begin to realize over time that greater affluence doesn’t automatically translate into greater happiness. That focusing on myself and my desires cannot fulfill me completely.

As we move our focus into the overtly spiritual realm, other thinkers weigh in. Arthur Brooks teaches as Harvard Business School and is a practicing Christian. He writes:

“If I live under the illusion that I’m the only thing that matters, I become anxious and unhappy.”

The fundamental human struggle to find a steady state of happiness (contentment, joy, etc.) is the backdrop for Jesus’ first sermon recorded in Matthew’s gospel. Nearly all of the sermon is found in the content of the other gospels as well. This sermon sets the foundation for what it looks like to be a true follower of Christ and the promise inherent in the sermon is that, by following Him (emulating Him as well) will lead to a fulfilling life.

But Jesus’ assertion and direction are that the way to happiness is precisely the opposite of what we expect.

He tells us that we’re happiest when we’re:

aware of our neediness (v. 3)

we grieve over our own rebellion and that of others. (v. 4)

when we discard pride and take on humility (v. 5)

when we seek justice for others (v. 6)

when we withhold our need for vengance (v. 7)

when we seek to be like God in purity of thought and behavior (v. 8)

when our first impulse is to seek peace with God and others (v. 9)

when we accept that following Jesus has a price attached to it. We will suffer for our faith. (v. 10)

He goes on to put God’s law in proper perspective. We are fulfilled when the desire to conform to God’s will comes from an inner desire rather than an external motivation. (5.21-48)

Our spiritual focus makes a difference in our contentment as well.

How we practice generosity matters (6.1-3, 19-34))

prayer and fasting matter (6.5-16)

relationships matter (7.1-6 [judging] , 12 [golden rule]).

So it becomes quickly obvious that Jesus calls his disciples (that’s us) to a brand new way of thinking about life and what makes a good and happy life.

His own actions from there on in the gospels demonstrated how to live.

It’s several chapters later in your Bible and about a year and a half in time when Jesus clarifies his approach to life and calls his disciples a fuller commitment:

It’s a ongoing call to be transformed.

A Transformed Life

Matthew 16:24–25 NLT

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

Peter’s denial of Jesus’ mission prompts this strong statement. He’s thinking of a leader who will give him a life he (Peter) would consider happy:

No more Romans

Advisor to the KIng?

Israel restored to glory.

Jesus moves the focus in this exchange away from himself on to them:

It’s THEIR sacrifice in view here.

“Own way” or “lose your life” - is sacrificing our agenda, our wants and desires to emulate Jesus’ life and sacrifice.

Hence, the extent that we are willing to ruthlessly destroy any thought, habit, action that pulls us away from Jesus.

Paul put it this way:

Galatians 2:20 NLT

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

But the goal is greater than self denial or simply modifying our behaviors.

It’s about transformation from the inside out.

It’s about radical transformation inside ourselves that leads to transformation in our world.

By sacrificing our own agendas and working towards Jesus’ direction, we are able to help reverse the effects of spiritual decay in our families and our community.

Steps to Sacrifice

Matthew 5:3–10 NLT

3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. 9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Conclusion:

The 1st step to taking up your cross is to choose to follow Jesus.

Next, we begin to practice the beatitudes more and more every day.