Sermons on Taking Up An Offense:

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

Take Up Your Cross Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Feb 25, 2026

In a world that tells us to put ourselves first, Jesus calls us to something deeper — a life of surrender, courage, and true freedom. What does it really mean to take up your cross today? Let’s explore that together

Introduction: Following Gets Real Up until this point in Mark’s Gospel, following Jesus has felt exciting. Crowds. Miracles. Teaching that stirs hearts. People are curious. Hopeful. Drawn in. But right here (Chapter 8) — everything changes. This is the moment where Jesus stops talking ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

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

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 PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 21, 2024

Explores the depth of commitment to Christ, emphasizing self-denial, divine direction, and determined discipleship as paths to true life.

Beloved congregation, I stand before you today, warmed by the familiar faces of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I am filled with a profound sense of joy and anticipation. We are gathered here, united in faith, bound by love, and driven by a shared desire to draw closer to our Heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

Topics: Following Jesus

A Word On The Word: Offensive Or Offensive Part I

Contributed by Joe Harding on Sep 1, 2004

THE WORD OF GOD SHOULD NEVER BE OFFENSIVE TO US!

A WORD ON THE WORD: OFFENSIVE OR OFFENSIVE PART I LUKE 9: 18-27 AUGUST 29, 2004 INTRODUCTION: OFFENSIVE: 1. offending. 2. attacking. A famous Methodist evangelist named Peter Cartwright was known for his uncompromising preaching. However, one day when the President of the United States, Andrew ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-27

Denomination: Baptist

A Word On The Word: Offensive Or Offensive Part Ii

Contributed by Joe Harding on Sep 25, 2004

WE CANNOT BE OFFENSIVE UNTIL WE LEAVE THE HUDDLE

A WORD ON THE WORD: OFFENSIVE OR OFFENSIVE PART II LUKE 8: 4-15 SEPTEMBER 12, 2004 INTRODUCTION: TRANSITION THOUGHT: THESIS SENTENCE: I. OFFENSIVE IS GETTING OUT VV. 1-4 A. GETTING OUT IS TRAVELING B. GETTING OUT IS TOWN AND VILLAGE WORK C. GETTING OUT IS GOODNEWS D. GETTING OUT IS GROUP ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Baptist

No Man To Take Me To The Water

Contributed by Randy Trotter on Aug 8, 2009

Outline for many of life’s needs that only Jesus can truly meet. We can’t do it on our own!

“NO MAN TO BRING ME TO THE WATER” John 5:1-9 HEALING Within Reach But No Man to Take Me To The Water! BLESSING Within Reach But No Man to Take Me To The Water! SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT Within Reach But No Man to Take Me To The Water! HOPE Within Reach But No Man to Take Me To The Water! JOY ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Who Will Take Their Place

Contributed by Eddie Young on Aug 24, 2018

Who will continue on the work for your church?

One by one, God is calling home His Saints....They have had a place in the house of God, they have been faithful to what God has called them to do, they have been obedient to God, walked with Him, and been faithful to His church. And now, they have went on to claim their reward. I think of some of ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-6, 2 Kings 2:9-14, Acts 7:54-60, Acts 8:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Mission Of The Church

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 10, 2001

If we were going to compose a mission statement for our congregation, what do you suppose it should say? What is our mission?

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX If we were going to compose a mission statement for Central Christian Church, what do you suppose it should say? What is our mission? Well, let me suggest that the mission of the church is very simple. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Denying Yourself

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 24, 2024

Revival revolves around this very notion and directly balances on the denial of ourselves and the cross we carry. Are we ready to take it on? Are we ready to carry our cross?

Illustration: Passion Season - Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. What is He denying himself? Jesus is in the garden of gethsemane. What is He denying himself? What cup does He choose? Jesus is put on the cross. What is He denying himself? The path is different because it is the path of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Taking Up The Full Armor Of God

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 8, 2001

To lead people to understand how they can take up the full armor of God as they march forward toward the upward call of Jesus Christ regardless of their difficulties

The Armor of God, My Protection from Satan and His Demons – Eph. 6:10-18 Illustration: Today I learned that my Mother has a deadly form of c-121 ovarian cancer. More than ever I need to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. But I need something more. I need to continue to march forward ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Take Up The Full Armor Of God

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 2, 2003

Paul teaches us how to be strong in Lord in this lesson on taking up the full armor of God. Too many Christians are defensive minded when Paul lists armor that is completely used for soldiers who are in forward motion in the good fight of faith. There is

The Armor of God, My Protection from Satan and His Demons – Eph. 6:10-18 Illustration: Today I learned that my Mother has a deadly form of c-121 ovarian cancer. More than ever I need to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. But I need something more. I need to continue to march forward ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Taking A Hit For Taking A Stand Series

Contributed by Tim Spear on Sep 6, 2011

Timid Christians or those that don't speak up for Christ can learn from the boldness of the former blind man.

Jesus, the God Man: The Gospel of John “Taking a Hit for Taking a Stand” John 9:24-34 Introduction: “Keep your head down, but keep firing!” Many times we hear those words while watching a war movie. People instinctively seem to know that you never raise your head in the ...read more

Scripture: John 9:24-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Offensive Demands Of The Cross

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Oct 26, 2012

The Cross demands things of us that may seem offensive but the victory we shall have after we yeild to the cross eye hath not seen nor ear hath heard.

The Offensive Demands of the Cross By Pastor M.L. Maughmer, Jr. Matthew 16:24: 25 “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 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:11

Denomination: Apostolic