Sermons on Take Up His Cross:

The Cross Was Always The Plan

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 15, 2009

Message about how Jesus affirms to His disciples during His arrest that God’s plan was going forth.

The Cross was Always the Plan Matthew 26:47-56 August 30, 2009 Me: How many people in here are planners? You plan everything out, or at least as much as possible. You plan your work day, your work week, maybe even your work month. You plan your vacation to the smallest detail, including ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:47-56

Denomination: Wesleyan

You’re Asking Too Much.

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 11, 2021

God expects us to take up our cross. What is that cross He is asking us to carry?

Sermon Title: You’re asking too much. Scripture Text: Mark 8:27-38 ILLUSTRATION: Several years ago I read a story written by a preacher in the Philippine Islands. One day he was passing a large church on Good Friday when he spotted many selling incense, candles, veils and rosaries. He also ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Shaping Up Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Nov 20, 2013

Pal teaches us how God is shpaing up His Church.

“Connected: Shaping Up” Romans 8:5-11; Eph. 4:1-16 Throughout this series we have been considering how we, as individuals, get and stay connected with God, each other, and the world in which we live. But thinking about connectedness would not be complete unless we also consider what it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Visit To Calvary

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Apr 5, 2001

As we take a visit to Calvary, we learn three lessons from the Cross of Jesus.

‘A VISIT TO CALVARY’ John 19 16-18 Today, I want you and I to take a visit to Calvary. If you are a child of God you have already been there, for it was there you met Jesus in salvation. If you are here today and you are lost, you need to come to Calvary today for it’s the only place you will ...read more

Scripture: John 19:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Crossing The Jordan

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Nov 25, 2025

When challenged with Jordan like situations that seem overwhelming and impossible to tide over we must not lose heart. When we look back with gratitude, trust God for the impossible and stay grounded on His Word, we too will experience God’s mighty deliverance in our lives.

For our meditation we will meditate on Joshua 3:13,“When the priests who carry the Covenant Box of the LORD of all the earth put their feet in the water, the Jordan will stop flowing, and the water coming downstream will pile up in one place." (GNB) The place of this incident is at the banks ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:13, Hebrews 9:4, Exodus 16:14-15, Psalm 143:5, 2 Corinthians 1:10, Numbers 17:6, Numbers 17:8, Isaiah 55:11, Psalm 119:98  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Why Jesus Volunteered To Die For You Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Mar 14, 2024

In John 10: 17 we hear Jesus say: “....I lay down my life---only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own accord.” Jesus was not a victim; He was a volunteer. Why did He volunteer to die for you?

America is filled with volunteers. Did you know that every year 60.7 million adults volunteer which means 23.2 % of Americans volunteer. On average Americans give up 52 hours a year volunteering. Most volunteering involves food collection and distribution. Our church is blessed to have several ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

One Nation Under God Series

Contributed by Johnny Small on Mar 4, 2002

Christians need to stand up for Christ and our religious freedoms. 7th of series of Taking Up Your Cross in Todays’ World.

One Nation Under God Let’s read: Mark 8:34-38 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38, Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Irreducible Cross

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Mar 23, 2005

As much as our culture, or we, might try, to remove it as a barrier...as much as the world might like to make it into only a symbol, and rob it of its eternal meaning, the cross is irreducible. It’s irreducible in time. It’s irreducible in eternity.

The Irreducible Cross TCF Good Friday sermon March 25, 2005 I found this quote a few weeks ago in an article on a very popular TV preacher. This guy sells tickets to his national tour, and fills 15-20,000-seat arenas with his positive message. In this quote, he describes his own church, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

America Wake Up! Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Jan 16, 2021

The current events in America is causing born again theologians to take a more accurate approach to enlightening Americans.

America Wake Up! Get a proper Diagnoses The United States of America is making a transition from one leadership to another and Americans need to get a proper diagnose of the spiritual cancer which has been cursing our nation for decades. When my late wife, Bonnie K Laughlin was diagnosed with ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ - Part 4: Wake Up, Christians, Wake Up! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 5, 2023

God wants us to: 1. Wake up to the suffering of our Savior (vs. 36-38). 2. Wake up to the seriousness of our sin (vs. 38-39). 3. Wake up to the strength we need from our Savior (vs. 40-46).

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ Part 4: Wake Up, Christians, Wake Up! The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 26:36-46 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 5, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 26. By this time, the Lord and His disciples had finished their last Passover meal ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Baptist

What Does Jesus Think About "I Have To Find Myself"? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 8, 2013

An examination of what it means to "deny yourself and take up your cross."

JESUS' OPINION: Jesus says the path to life is not in “finding yourself” but in “denying yourself.” - Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34. - I’m thinking of the stereotypical statement that is so common that it’s almost a cliché: “I’ve got to go find ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24

Denomination: Baptist

The Message Of The Cross Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 14, 2008

The remedy for division rooted in pride is the proper appreciation for the Cross.

Introduction: A. I love the story of the two men were digging a ditch on a very hot day. 1. One said to the other, “Why are we down in this hole digging a ditch when our boss is standing up there in the shade of a tree?” 2. “I don’t know,” responded the other. “I’ll ask him.” 3. So he climbed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Cruelty Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

If God turned the cruelty of the cross into a universal blessing, we need never doubt that verse of Paul in Rom. 8:28 that says, "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Pierre VanPaasen once had an interview with Marshal Lyauty, but the former procounsul of the French Republic in Morocco. VanPassen asked him what he would have done had he been in Pilate's place. Lyauty, after describing what a trouble maker Jesus had been, endorsed Pilate's action. ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-16

Tearing Up The Ticket

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 7, 2009

God in Christ will enable us to remove the penalties of sin and our guilt and shame by creating a relationship with us and by taking into Himself our limitations.

This past spring, when my wife and I went to Britain, I knew that driving there would be quite a challenge. Not only do you have to drive on the left side of the road; and not only to you have to decipher the lingo on the road signs -- anybody know what a "dual carriageway" is? -- but also you have ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Denomination: Baptist

Come Up Here

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Oct 25, 2025

A message about ultimate power as John is given a revelation of the throne room in heaven.

Title: Come up Here” Heaven – the holy place of the holy God. …”holy of holies” Text: Revelation 4-5 Subject: Who is able to meet our (existential) hopes and is therefore worthy of our allegiance and worship? Complement: the one who sits on the highest throne and holds the keys of life and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-2, Hebrews 9:11-12, Colossians 1:19-22, Revelation 4:1-11, Revelation 5:1-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational