Luke 9:23-26
Focusing on Simon Carrying the Cross
Introduction
A. Luke 23:26 (read it)
B. There we find a guy was just randomly grabbed to carry the cross for Jesus
C. Jesus was in no physical condition to carry it any longer
D. After being beaten that much I doubt anyone could
E. Carrying a cross that is a tough thing to do
F. In our Scripture passage we read what Jesus told us about carrying the cross
G. A cross is not made out of twigs, to carry a cross takes a lot of energy
H. Today we are going to look at the implications of carrying our cross, specifically:
a. Deny
b. Delivered
c. Deprived
I. Deny (23)
A. Explanation
1. This is a verse that we are well familiar with
2. A lot of us have heard it time and time again but let us look at it and imagine it is out first time hearing it
3. First is the whole deny thing – what does that really mean
a) We as humans are naturally greedy
b) We thing we own all and everything is our
c) If you do not believe me hang out with a two year old and record the number of time he says “Mine”
d) So to deny ourselves is to give up passions
e) To give up our lives and realize that our lives are not our own. (hold that thought for a couple of minutes)
4. We also read in this verse about taking up his cross daily and follow me
5. Events shape our lives and thoughts, common human tendency, not a bad one but just what happen
a) When Jesus was about 11 years old there was a man named Judas the Galilean who led a rebellion against Rome
b) Judas attract a couple of Roman places, however was eventually caught
c) They burned Judas to the ground, took a bunch of others into slavery, and by the way they crucified another 2000 people alongside the road to teach a lesson to those who were thinking about rebellion
6. So when you have that horrific event in mind, when Christ is speaking these words, you realize that following Jesus could lead to persecution
7. Could lead to stuff that no one wants to experience
B. Application
1. Lets now take that thought and the one I ask you to remember and put them together and see how that will effect our lives
2. Its not about us
3. Our lives should be about God
4. Concerned with what concerns him
5. Imagine if could grab a hold of that concept
6. On one hand it would make life a lot less stressful when you realize that your life is not your own but God. It is kind of like becoming an employee rather then an owner
7. However, it means that we have a lot higher standard to meet
8. If God is in control of our lives, we have try and live up to His standards
9. To worry about His worries
10. To be willing to stand up for Christ, not matter what, even if it involves Crucifixion
11. Understand God promises to be with you always, but He never promises that you will not have difficult times, in fact just the opposite, there will be difficult times.
12. Be careful when you say this verse, don’t say unless your willing to follow it
C. Illustration
II. Delivered (24)
A. Explanation
1. Verse 24 is interesting; it seems like just one of those confusing statements that never make sense to anyone.
2. But this one does make sense if we stop and think about it for a couple of seconds
3. If there is one lesson I wish I could have learned earlier in my life
4. If there is one lesson I wish I could convey to you
5. If there is one lesson that I need remind of every day it is this
a) It is not about me!
b) It is about God!
6. Once we put everything, Our hope, money, passion, energy, all that we have both physical and emotional passions to God
7. Then we will save our lives
8. by saving our lives, we have to realize something, The average life span of a human in North America is somewhere around 70.
9. Lets just say you get lucky and live to be 100, there are not to many 100 year olds around, but lets just use that number
10. We are told that if we follow God here on Earth we will get to spend eternity with him
11. How long is eternity? 1 million years? Obviously it is longer then that. Earth then is about 1 hundredth of your existence here on Earth
B. Application
1. What does that mean for us?
2. There are many people out there looking for meaning in this world
3. Looking for something they can grab on to
4. Looking for protection
5. Trying to make sense of this life
6. Trying to understand what they should be doing
7. Trying to figure out ways to makes themselves better
8. Trying to become famous, to be remember
9. Trying to find significance in their lives
10. It useless, try whatever way you want. Read 300 self help books
11. Become the president of the United States, save a baby from a fire
12. Try whatever you want you will not be able to find meaning in this world
13. The problem is the starting point.
14. Its not about you it is about God
15. If you use God as your starting point it changes everything.
16. Everything makes will makes sense and then you can confidently say “My life has been saved.
C. Illustration
III. Deprived (25-26)
A. Explanation
1. I love when the Bible uses Rhetorical questions. When you look at Verse 25 you realize that it is a Rhetorical question.
2. I get this picture of a person with all these computers, cars, houses, DVD’s everything else and he is middle of all these wonderful items. And he is dead
3. He not moving he can not enjoy any of them. I am sure he would give them all up if he could live again.
4. Verse 26 is a nice soft comforting…NO IT IS NOT!
5. It hits us hard. If we are ashamed of Christ here on Earth He will be ashamed of us in Glory
6. The first reaction we think of is that obviously we are not ashamed of him
7. But let us think about what it means to be ashamed
8. You can say you are not ashamed of Christ until your blue in the face, the question is how act
9. It is what you do.
10. You all have heard the expression Actions Speak Louder then Words. Very true statement
B. Application
1. What does all of this means for us
2. It means that we can be in great trouble
3. If we are not living up to God’s standard, sinning, we are telling God that we are ashamed of him
4. What I am talking about is a lifestyle of sin. WE are all going to miss the mark, that should make us disappointed and we need to confess that sin.
C. Illustration
1. Last Sunday was a sad day for one particular church in Butler. Their Pastor resigned. Guess why? He became involved extra marital affair. It was over the internet and they never meant, however, he realized that he was not being faithful to his wife. Therefore, he resign from the church, so that he might focus on restore his relationship with his wife.
2. Don’t you dare start talking bad about that guy.
3. I applaud that guy. He ask for forgiveness. He is probably going to voluntarily place himself on some sort of church discipline. And I hope he returns to preaching.
4. See he knew he was living in sin. And he did something about it. He did not want his Savior to be ashamed of him.
5. The other week in men’s Bible Study we got into talking about how during communion we always ask if there is anyone here who needs to ask forgiveness from someone that they do it now.
a) It was funny because we know that is scriptural, but we do not think anyone will do it.
b) That does not mean that there are not people that don’t need to go up to others and ask for forgiveness. WE just are brave enough like that pastor was
6. If there is anything in your life that is not of God and you need to confess it.
7. I beg you, do it please! Do it now! If it with another person, grab them and ask for their forgiveness
8. Time on this earth is too short to hold grudges.
9. Confession should never be viewed as a weakness, it makes you stronger
Conclusion
A. This whole cross thing, don’t take it lightly
B. This is important stuff
C. It all about God
D. He created you, made you, loves you, desires a relationship with you,
E. That is great news
F. However, is there something in your life preventing that?
G. Is there that unconfused sin? Do you have something against another person
H. Settle those accounts, Settle those accounts now!
I. Do not be embarrassed, I look around this congregation, I do not see one perfect person
J. Anyone who thinks they are perfect, must now confess the sin of pride
K. We are in this together, we are all in the same boat
L. Let go of the sin, and do it now
M. Pray
N. (heart of worship)
