Sermons on Take Up His Cross And Follow Me:

The Cross Has Enemies Series

Contributed by Mike Lewis on Dec 27, 2022

Sergio’s enemy of the priest that turned him away became his inspiration to help others. Even the ones we see as representing Jesus can (at times) be an enemy. And today, our lesson is that The Cross Has Enemies.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT Sergio Gutierrez Benitez was a kid growing up in a tough neighborhood of Mexico City in the 1950s. By age ten he’d already joined a gang, committed petty crimes, and started using drugs—marijuana at first, then harder drugs. Finally, after years ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Learning How To Follow Your Leaders"

Contributed by Damion Lowe on Jan 23, 2011

We ultimately follow the leadership of Christ but he has also given us Christian leaders to follow.

“LEARNING TO FOLLOW YOUR LEADERS” Text: Matt. 16:24,”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.” Intro: The gospels of Mark and Luke record ‘this” same statement by Jesus. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Goats To The Left Of Me And Sheep To The Right

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Feb 21, 2025

To the world that nailed Him to a cross, He will return as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He came once as a Lamb, but He will return as a Lion. Once as a Savior, He will come again as the Judge who will sit on His throne to judge the nations.

Goats to the Left of Me and Sheep to the Right Matthew 25:31-46 Matthew chapters 24 and 25, otherwise known as the Olivet Discourse, contain the most detailed description of events that are to occur in the future among the Lord’s recorded teachings. As the Lord and His disciples walked out of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Methodist

Return To Me Series

Contributed by Doug Mccoy on Jan 25, 2019

In the prologue of his prophecy, Zechariah gives us the bad news that we have departed from God but also the good news that we can return to God.

Opening: I’m Not The One Who Moved. I want to tell you my third favorite joke of all time (I may have told it to you before; I’m not sure I have or not; but in any case I am going to tell it to you now): An older couple was riding in their older car. It was one of those cars that has the ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:1-6

Taking The Journey

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Apr 1, 2019

God’s call to take the journey to worship the newborn king isn’t just for those born to privilege, or those born in the church. It isn’t just for pastors, scholars, and religious leaders. No, God’s call to worship is for anyone who will listen.

OPENING STORY An old king sat uncomfortably on his throne, fingernails dug into well-worn grooves in the wood as he waited nervously for the mysterious travelers to approach. All Jerusalem was abuzz with the rumors that these men were searching for a new heir which had just been born, yet neither ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

Come Unto Me

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Oct 27, 2013

Jesus offers the absolute best gift we could imagine, the gift of Himself - up close, personal, and intimately connected to us in our joy and in our distress.

Who here loves dogs? Some of us have a real love for animals. There can be a deep connection between a dog and his master, or a cat and his servant. Cats don’t have masters. They know they are the boss. Well, a while back a newspaper carried the story of Tattoo, the basset hound. Now a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fathers- A Picture Of God To His Children

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Aug 29, 2007

My home and my children, have taught me so much concerning God’s dealings with me. I come to understand something of God’s love by being with my children.

Fathers- a picture of God to his children Main Thought: 1. Come to understand something of God’s love by being with my children. Opening: 1. A home is not just a home. God is trying to get something across through our homes. The triumphs- the defeats The success- the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:32

Denomination: Mennonite

As For Me

Contributed by Dr. Jeremy Simpson on Mar 11, 2007

Yes, we have enemies. Yes, they seem to have the upperhand. Yes, they hate us and mock us and laugh at us for serving Jesus!!! BUT THEIR DAY OF JUDGMENT IS COMING. They have a terrible future in Hell coming, but AS FOR ME, I have a glorious future.

AS FOR ME--PSALM 17 Introduction: Every man who tries to live for God will make some enemies. This World is not friendly toward God. If you stand for the things of God you will find that many enemies will rise up, hate you, and seek to hurt you. This Should not surprise us when People fight ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 17:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Confidence We Can Have As A Follower Of Christ Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Sep 26, 2014

This message takes a look at the reason Paul could be confident while inhouse arrest

THE CONFIDENCE WE CAN HAVE AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST PHILIPPIANS 1:19-21 FOR I KNOW THAT THIS WILL TURN OUT FOR MY DELIVERANCE THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS AND THE PROVISION OF THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST, 20  ACCORDING TO MY EARNEST EXPECTATION AND HOPE, THAT I WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME IN ANYTHING, BUT THAT ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

By His Wounds We Are Healed

Contributed by Steve Keeler on May 9, 2010

Isaiah 53:4-6 The result of His suffering Today, I want to take a walk with you and Jesus to Calvary.

"By His Wounds We are Healed" Isaiah 53:4-6 "Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give And Take

Contributed by Gerry Pratt on Feb 7, 2002

There are many areas in which we must give and many areas in which we must take.

Life is a “give and take” proposition. A. This is true in the area of material possessions and money. 1. We give of our time and talents in the work place and we take an agreed upon wage for our efforts B. This is true in love and emotional support. 1. We are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:40-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Breaking Out Of Our Comfort Zones Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

When Jesus said to deny yourself and take up the cross and follow Him He was saying in essence that we need to break out of our comfort zone to be useful for the kingdom of God.

It was 1847, and St. Paul, Minnesota was a town filled with ignorance and drunkenness. Liquor was sold in every store. Half the parents could not read, and so drinking was about their only form of entertainment. It was typical of frontier towns, and no one even dreamed of trying to make ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-30

Focus On His Image Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 23, 2012

We need to focus on His return, do God’s will, keep our hearts blameless and by all means build each other up and not tear each other down.

Series: Imitators Thesis of series: We live in a society that seldom reflects Jesus. As Christians, we are called to be His reflection, to do His will and to keep our hearts blameless. Sermon: Focus on His Image Thesis of sermon: We need to focus on His return, do God’s will, keep our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Witch's Invitation Series

Contributed by Johnny Small on Jan 18, 2002

3rd in series of Taking Up Your Cross in Today’s World. This sermon is to inform Christians of the snares of the occult and how to recognize them.

A Witch’s Invitation Several years ago Christian music artist Carman produced a song and video entitled "A Witch’s Invitation." Very seldom do you hear Christian artist or even Pastors telling about the snares of the occult. What I want to discuss tonight is the occult. The definition of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-19, Isaiah 47:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Follow The Leader

Contributed by Don Hutto on Dec 6, 2000

Characteristics of a Godly leader.

Follow The Leader II Kings 18:1-7 Intro: As children we played follow the leader. But today do we have leaders that we can follow? From this passage we can draw four conclusions about Godly leaders. I. Conclusion #1: They do what is right. (v. 3) II. Conclusion #2: They trust God. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:1-7

Denomination: Baptist