Introduction:
Dear brothers and sisters, today we gather to explore the profound call of Jesus to follow Him and take up our cross. As we delve into the Word of God, we will discover both the blessings and the challenges that come with following Christ. Let us reflect on the choice between the world and the Word, find solace in the peace found in God's embrace, and examine the sacrifice required of us as followers of Christ. May our hearts be stirred to respond to His call with wholehearted devotion.
I. The Blessings of Following God:
A. Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Explanation: In this verse, we are encouraged to place our complete trust in the Lord and not rely solely on our own limited understanding. When we acknowledge God in all aspects of our lives and seek His guidance, He promises to direct our paths. This means that as we follow Him, He will lead us on the right path and guide us towards His blessings and purposes for our lives.
B. Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Explanation: God is not just a distant and uninvolved deity. He desires to have a personal relationship with us and be intimately involved in our lives. As we follow Him, He promises to instruct, teach, and counsel us. He watches over us with a loving eye, providing guidance, wisdom, and direction. We can trust that His plans for us are good, and He will lead us in the right way.
II. The Danger of Following Him:
A. Matthew 10:22 - You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Explanation: Following Jesus may come with opposition and persecution. The world may reject us and even hate us because of our commitment to Christ. However, Jesus assures us that if we endure and remain faithful to Him until the end, we will receive the ultimate reward of salvation. It's important to remember that the temporary challenges we face are outweighed by the eternal hope we have in Christ.
B. John 15:18-19 - If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Explanation: Jesus reminds us that as His followers, we are not of this world. Our values, priorities, and allegiance are different from those who do not follow Him. This may lead to the world's rejection or animosity towards us. However, it is important to remember that being chosen by Jesus and standing firm in our faith is far more valuable than seeking the approval of the world.
III. Choosing Between the World and the Word:
A. Matthew 6:24 - No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Explanation: This verse highlights the impossibility of serving both God and the world. We are faced with a choice: to prioritize our devotion to God or to become consumed by worldly pursuits such as wealth, status, and material possessions. When we try to serve both, our loyalty becomes divided, and our focus on God diminishes. To truly follow Christ, we must wholeheartedly choose to prioritize our relationship with Him over worldly desires.
B. 1 John 2:15-17 - Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Explanation: The apostle John urges us not to be enticed by the allurements of the world. Loving the world in a way that prioritizes its temporary pleasures over our relationship with God indicates a lack of love for the Father. The desires of the flesh, materialism, and pride are all fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. Instead, those who align themselves with God's will and purposes will experience lasting fulfillment and eternal life.
IV. In Heaven's Arms, There Is Peace:
A. Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Explanation: Worries and anxieties can weigh us down and hinder our journey of following Christ. However, we are instructed to bring all our concerns before God in prayer, with an attitude of thanksgiving. As we surrender our worries to Him, His peace, which surpasses human understanding, will guard our hearts and minds. In the embrace of God's peace, we find strength and assurance to continue walking with Him.
B. John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Explanation: Jesus promises to leave us with His peace—a peace that is distinct from the temporary peace the world offers. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with Him. Even in the midst of trials and tribulations, we can find comfort and confidence, knowing that His peace is with us. We are encouraged not to allow our hearts to be troubled or afraid because we have the assurance of His presence and peace.
V. The Call to Sacrifice:
A. Luke 9:23 - And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
Explanation: Following Jesus requires a willingness to deny ourselves, to set aside our own desires, and to embrace the path of selflessness. Taking up our cross daily means being willing to endure hardships and sacrifices for the sake of Christ and His kingdom. It is a call to surrender our will and submit to His leading in every aspect of our lives.
B. Mark 8:34-35 - And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it."
Explanation: Jesus emphasizes that following Him involves self-denial and a willingness to lose our lives for His sake and the sake of the Gospel. This does not mean physical death but rather dying to our own selfish desires, ambitions, and priorities. In surrendering ourselves to Christ, we find true life and eternal salvation. It is a challenging call, but the rewards far outweigh any temporary sacrifices we may make.
Poem: (Title: "Journey of the Cross")
On this journey we embark, called to follow and obey,
Taking up our cross each day, as we walk the narrow way.
For in surrender, we find true life, the path that sets us free,
Led by Christ, our guiding light, through His grace, we'll always be.
Though challenges may come, and the road may seem unclear,
We trust in His promises, knowing He is always near.
In His embrace, we find solace, a peace that overflows,
For His love and faithfulness, our weary souls He knows.
The world may call us foolish, but we choose the path less trod,
For in the footsteps of our Savior, we find the peace of God.
Though we may lose our lives, sacrificing all we hold dear,
In His hands, we gain eternity, free from doubt and fear.
So let us press on, dear friends, with purpose and resolve,
For the cause of Christ we live, and His mission we involve.
In the journey of the cross, we find joy and deep content,
Knowing that in His arms we're held, secure and heaven-sent.
Appeal:
In conclusion, dear friends, the call to follow Christ is a call that carries both blessings and challenges. As we weigh the cost, let us remember that in His embrace, we find peace that surpasses all understanding. It is a choice between the fleeting pleasures of the world and the eternal promises of God's Word. May we have the courage to prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else, trusting in His guidance, surrendering our worries, and embracing the call to take up our cross daily. Let us fully commit our lives to Him, knowing that the rewards of following Jesus far outweigh any sacrifices we may make. May we walk with purpose and find true fulfillment in living for Him.
