Sermons on Take Up Our Cross:

"picking Up Our Mats"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 21, 2019

A sermon about change. Churches must be willing to change or die.

“Picking Up Our Mats” John 5:1-9a I don’t like change. It scares me. It’s like diving into the unknown. When I was a child, my family moved around a lot. By the time I entered the 6th Grade I had already lived in four different states. I remember when I moved from Dayton, Ohio to ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: United Methodist

Christmas And The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

It is possible to look forward to a merry Christmas in full awareness that we live in a world of misery. Just as there is nothing inconsistent with taking medicine to feel better in a world of sickness, so there is nothing inconsistent with a merry spirit in a world of misery.

Dr. Samuel Upham, a theological professor and a man of great learning, was dying. The family was gathered around his bed and someone said I believe he is already dead. Someone else said his feet are still warm and nobody ever dies with warm feet. Dr. Upham opened one eye and said, "Joan of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

—it Takes Vision.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 6, 2022

This word helped many saints within our local body. Dreams stop famine—Dreams give legs to faith, Dreams build buildings, Dreams save souls, Dreams give us reason to get back up again.

—It Takes Vision. Habakkuk 2:2-4NKJV Larry lived and breathed golf. As a teenager he was ranked in the top 16 golfers in the nation. In his senior year he was in car accident, his left arm was amputated just below the elbow. He would be fitted with a prosthetic hand, and with a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Personality, Purpose And Power Through Prayer-Luke 9:18-36 Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Feb 1, 2014

Jesus knew His identity, and gained strength to take the cross through prayer. Through this He was glorified. We will only see the glory of God if we will also take up the cross and embrace God's will for our lives, finding our identity in Him.

918 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.” 20 He said to them, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-36

Denomination: *other

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Contributed by Beverly Birchfield on Apr 7, 2012

Because we all the Lord Shepherd we must follow Him all the way to the cross and then to take up the cross.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD One, if not the most familiar scripture we know is the 23rd Psalm… 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Charismatic

Symbols Of The Cross

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on May 8, 2001

What does the cross symbolize?

INTRODUCTION  When we look at a cross today what do we think about? What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see a cross?  What do we think when we see a person wearing a cross around their neck or in their ear lobes?  Does the cross stand for something to us ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Take The Bread Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Jan 6, 2023

Jesus' invitation to us is to take Him into our lives and be transformed

January 07, 2023 In one of the “I AM” statements in the book John, Jesus said this about himself, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me will never hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst.” - John 6:35 If that wasn’t confusing enough, He followed it up with, “I am the ...read more

Scripture: John 6:48-56, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Lord Fill Us Up

Contributed by William Ellis on Nov 24, 2006

It is about time that we let the Spirit of God take control of our churches, our families,and ultimately our lives!

We have been talking about The Holy Spirit & His Working In The Church Story of one man: He could not seem to grow anything in his garden...his lettuce was being ravaged by rodents, his watermelons looked more like sick apples...his strawberries were more like strawscarries because everytime you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Church Of God

Whatever It Takes

Contributed by John Harvey on Apr 22, 2004

To explain further our mission purpose

Whatever It Takes 04/25/04 Mark 3:1-6 INTRO: Last week we looked at the first part of our mission statement: To Passionately Pursue God. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Title: Follow Me And Take Your Cross: The Cost And Blessings Of Following Christ Series

Contributed by Don Aldrich Tamayo on Jun 23, 2023

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.

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 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 32:8, Matthew 10:22, John 15:18-19, Matthew 6:24, 1 John 2:15-17, Luke 9:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Reconciliation Through The Cross

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Feb 23, 2023

Oh, it only takes little things to cause hostilities between people. And once started, it is difficult for them to reconcile. Even little things can cause whole nations to be at war. It doesn't take much.

Alba 2-19-2023 RECONCILIATION THROUGH THE CROSS Ephesians 2:14-18 A minister and his wife were going to give a mid-morning garden party. They invited everyone with engraved invitations. The back yard of the parsonage was manicured, tables decorated the lawn, the clematis vine and rose bushes ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:14-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grown Up Thinking And Speaking Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on May 18, 2015

Unity, Truth, Our Speech, Others

GROWN UP CHRISTIANS – Grown Up Thinking and Speaking Ephesians 4:11-32 (p. 815) May 31, 2015 Introduction: When my brother in law Kevin was about 6 or 7 years old he was at a restaurant with his mom Nancy and her best friend Tina...as they were eating Kevin looked across the table ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Handling The Ups & Downs Of Life Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Mar 14, 2011

I used to like roller coasters, but last summer, I got off of a roller coaster and didn't care if I ever rode one again or not. Up. Down. Up. Down. Round and round. Then we exited right where we got on. It's too much like life. Life is full of ups and dow

I used to like roller coasters, but last summer, I got off of a roller coaster and didn't care if I ever rode one again or not. Up. Down. Up. Down. Round and round. Then we exited right where we got on. It's too much like life. Life is full of ups and downs, yet most of the action is an illusion ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Taking It Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Aug 25, 2014

If it is a crime to take something that belongs to someone else THEN the offended party has the right of ownership. You shall not steal. Exodus 20:15

Dakota Community Church August 24, 2014 Taking It Summer Series at Dakota: The 10 Commandments Exodus 20:15 You shall not steal. Key thought: Because human beings are created in the image of God, the principle of giving God HIS due is carried over to our neighbour. We owe our neighbour ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Denomination: Mennonite