Sermons on Pick Your Cross:

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Mar 22, 2021

This expository message from Mark 8:31-38 is about Jesus' call to discipleship - to take up our cross and follow him.

Title: Take up Your Cross Text: Mark 8:31-38 Subject; How does Jesus define discipleship? Complement; Jesus says it means that you too take up your cross. Big idea: “True disciples don’t just wear a cross around their necks - they put it on their shoulders.” Introduction – we are moving toward ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38, Galatians 2:20, Acts 20:22-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Take Up Your Cross Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Jesus calls us to take up our cross, which means embracing the pain, loneliness, and partnership that comes with following Him. The journey may be difficult, but the reward is worth it.

Today, we're gonna talk about something taking up our crosses, and I've got a cool object lesson to help us understand it better. But first, let's dive into the message. You know, life can be pretty hard sometimes, right? Jesus actually told us that we'd face some tough times. Check out what He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, John 16:33

Topics: Discipleship, Spiritual Sacrifice, Divine Love, Redemption

Take Up Your Cross Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of metaphorically taking up our cross as Jesus did, understanding that it signifies enduring difficulties in life, and seeking strength from God to persevere.

Good morning church, it’s great to see you all again as we continue in our series ALL-IN. Last week we kicked things off talking about the first of Jesus’ 3 commandments in our main passage from Matthew 16:24. To “deny yourselves” is the first command. And today, we’re going to take it one step ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, John 16:33

Topics: Cross Bearing, Perseverance, Self-Denial

Sermon Series: All In

Your Cross Has Arrived

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 4, 2025

Lent is a the 40 days, (not counting Sundays) from Ash Wednesday till Easter.

Your Cross Has Arrived “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34 Intro: This week we celebrated Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 12, 2025

Jesus wasn’t offering comfort or bling, but blood — a cross that kills self and births love, the heartbeat of true discipleship.

Prologue — The Little Athens of Palestine They had followed Him north — away from the dust and clamor of Galilee, away from the familiar crowds pressing for healing — into a region strange and foreign. The road climbed toward the foothills of Mount Hermon, where the air cooled and new sounds ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-34, Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 9:23-26, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:7-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Eleventh Station: Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 18, 2022

We are challenged today to enter more fully that mystery, and to pick up our own cross and follow Jesus.

The Eleventh Station: Jesus Nailed to the Cross (Those of us who have had the privilege and honor of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land always make Jerusalem part of the holy time. There, although the Jewish Temple has been replaced by a grand mosque, we can see the very places we read about in the New ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-35, Matthew 6:12, Luke 22:34, John 12:31-33, John 3:16-17, Luke 9:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Pick Up A Towel, Not A Title

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Apr 3, 2017

In our text we find Jesus setting an example for us when he washed the feet of his disciples—an example of Servant Leadership.

TITLE: PICK UP A TOWEL, NOT A TITLE SCRIPTURE: ST. JOHN 13:3-9 / 12-17 We continue our “MARCH TOWARDS CALVARY” this morning and visit a scene that began to unfold the NIGHT IN WHICH JESUS WAS BETRAYED. I lift as a thought this morning – Pick Up a Towel Not A Title. What would you do if ...read more

Scripture: John 13:3-17

Denomination: Baptist

"Your Will Be Done” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Mar 25, 2019

A consideration of our Lord's struggle in Gethsemane.

Jesus was about to face the cross. To prepare for what He knew He must do, He retreated to Gethsemane’s garden with His disciples. He had them sit at a certain place and then the three who were closest to Him went a little farther into the garden. As they walked, He said, “My soul is overwhelmed ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42

Denomination: Baptist

Is That Your Final Answer

Contributed by Scott Weber on Mar 28, 2001

The cross is God’s gift of a second chance to us with a guaranteed lifeline. Which of the two criminals that Jesus was crucified with are you like? What will your final answer be to Jesus?

Is That Your Final Answer? Luke 23:32-43 I am amazed at what becomes popular in our culture sometimes. ABC’s game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" became a huge hit about a year and a half ago. Regis Philbin is now a household name. Phrases like, "Is that your final answer?" have become ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Here Is Your Son…

Contributed by John Newton on Mar 26, 2017

Reflections on Jesus’ words to Mary and John from the cross

At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, his sorrow sharing, All his bitter anguish hearing, Now at length the sword had pass’d. Oh, how sad and sore distress’d Was that mother, highly blest Of the sole-begotten ...read more

Scripture: John 19:25-27

Denomination: Episcopal

First Round Draft Pick Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 11, 2010

A teaching on chapter 1 verses 1 through 28

Ezekiel 1: 1 – 28 ‘First Round Draft Pick’ 1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth day of the month, which was in the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 1:1-28

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Picking What You Planted

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Apr 25, 2017

Sowing and Reaping

Picking, What You Plant (GAL. 6:6-8) INTRO: In my life time I’ve eaten a lot of taters and beans In fact I’ve grown a lot of taters, and I’ve grown a lot of beans. But I’ve never raised beans from a tater plant, nor have I ever got taters from a bean bush. If fact, I found that 99% of the time you ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Wonderful Day, Pick 3

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 15, 2017

Have a wonderful day is all about choices. Pick three attitudes and build a wonderful day. PATIENCE, JOY AND THANKSGIVING.

WONDERFUL DAY, PICK THREE By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I have a plummet, or plumb bob in my hand. (Lowe’s has real cheap.) TEXT: 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Spirit Picks Up The Tab

Contributed by Edward Frey on Jul 20, 2002

When God’s people are suffering they don’t always know how to pray. Thanks to God’s gracious promise that the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf!

I have many fond memories of my late grandmother. One of my favorites was the way she always argued about who would pay the bill at the restaurant. It would never fail. I’d invite her out to lunch and we’d have a nice visit together until the waiter brought the bill. It was as if my grandma grew ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Picking Up Broken Pieces

Contributed by Charles Scott on Aug 2, 2008

In a desolate place spiritually and in the midst of a time of oppressive persecution, Jesus fed the 5000 and taught his disciples that God will sustain us, will feed us and multiply our resources as we feed others the bread of life.

Matthew 14__13-21 PICKING UP BROKEN PIECES TRINITY 11 Proper 13A Nehemiah 9:16-20 Then Ezra the priest said to the people, “But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Anglican