Take Up Your Cross

The Essence of Luke 9:23

1. Self-denial
2. Cross-bearing
3. Following Jesus

The First Commitment:

1. While family relationships are important, they cannot be in the primary spot (Luke 14:26-27). Family commitment are subject to his lordship.
2. Those insistent on self-love and self-interest will lose the very essence of life.
3. We are put to death with Christ, and we allow him to live through us every day (Galatians 2:20).

The Second Commitment:

1. Jesus explained the purpose of his death (John 12:24). Death to the old way of life brings forth new life.
2. We must move from self-commitment to being committed to Christ.
3. What happens to a person who refuses to be a cross-bearer? (Luke 14:26)
4. This involves sacrificial, loving service to others.
5. Paul explained why Jesus was willing to take up his cross (Philippians 2:8)
   • A voluntary commitment.
   • An act of obedience.

The Third Commitment:

1. The Father revealed his will to Jesus (John 5:19-43)
2. As Jesus followed the Father, we are to follow Jesus.
   • Matthew 11:28
   • Mark 1:17
   • Luke 9:1-2
   • John 12:26
3. The results of following Jesus.
   • Knowledge of the truth.
   • Understanding of God’s will.
   • Rest for the soul.
   • Power to do his work.
   • The authority to represent Jesus.
   • Equipping others to be disciples.
4. The word translated “life” is Greek, psuche (Luke 9:24, John 12:25) and “soul” in Matthew 11:29. What happens to the soul of a disciple of Jesus?
   • The soul will be purified.
   • The soul will be separated from the body.
   • The soul will be saved.
5. The meaning of the word “salvation” in the New Testament.
   • To become whole, or to make whole.
   • When the soul of a disciple is lost or given up (Luke 9:23), the disciple is saved or made whole.
   • Placing Jesus in first place in life produces harmony or wholeness in life. We are made complete.
6. Maturity is the degree to which we experience harmony or wholeness in relationship to God and to others.