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

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 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. May our hearts be stirred to respond to His call with wholehearted devotion.

I. The Blessings of Following God:

A. Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Explanation: In this verse, we are encouraged to place our complete trust in the Lord and not rely solely on our own limited understanding. When we acknowledge God in all aspects of our lives and seek His guidance, He promises to direct our paths. This means that as we follow Him, He will lead us on the right path and guide us towards His blessings and purposes for our lives.

B. Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Explanation: God is not just a distant and uninvolved deity. He desires to have a personal relationship with us and be intimately involved in our lives. As we follow Him, He promises to instruct, teach, and counsel us. He watches over us with a loving eye, providing guidance, wisdom, and direction. We can trust that His plans for us are good, and He will lead us in the right way.

II. The Danger of Following Him:

A. Matthew 10:22 - You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Explanation: Following Jesus may come with opposition and persecution. The world may reject us and even hate us because of our commitment to Christ. However, Jesus assures us that if we endure and remain faithful to Him until the end, we will receive the ultimate reward of salvation. It's important to remember that the temporary challenges we face are outweighed by the eternal hope we have in Christ.

B. John 15:18-19 - If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Explanation: Jesus reminds us that as His followers, we are not of this world. Our values, priorities, and allegiance are different from those who do not follow Him. This may lead to the world's rejection or animosity towards us. However, it is important to remember that being chosen by Jesus and standing firm in our faith is far more valuable than seeking the approval of the world.

III. Choosing Between the World and the Word:

A. Matthew 6:24 - No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Explanation: This verse highlights the impossibility of serving both God and the world. We are faced with a choice: to prioritize our devotion to God or to become consumed by worldly pursuits such as wealth, status, and material possessions. When we try to serve both, our loyalty becomes divided, and our focus on God diminishes. To truly follow Christ, we must wholeheartedly choose to prioritize our relationship with Him over worldly desires.

B. 1 John 2:15-17 - Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Explanation: The apostle John urges us not to be enticed by the allurements of the world. Loving the world in a way that prioritizes its temporary pleasures over our relationship with God indicates a lack of love for the Father. The desires of the flesh, materialism, and pride are all fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. Instead, those who align themselves with God's will and purposes will experience lasting fulfillment and eternal life.

IV. In Heaven's Arms, There Is Peace:

A. Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.