A Crucified Life

 

Matthew 16:21-25

Introduction:  The believer must understand that being a witness for Christ requires that he take up his cross and follow Christ.  The cross of Christ represented the Father’s will for His life on earth.  The cross of the Christian represents God’s perfect will for our lives.  The end result of Christ’s life was the salvation of the world.  The Christian’s life should result in the leading sinners to salvation as well.

    The cross of the Christian represents the sacrifice necessary to be successful. God’s will is not in an environment of comfort to the flesh.  It is linked with crucifixion of our flesh and the successful believer will be one who has submitted to the will of God by bearing the cross that God has given.

    Bearing the cross requires three things.

I.  a Crucified Life  --  “deny himself”  --  The word “deny” is “aparneomai (ap-ar-neh'-om-ahee)” and means  “to deny utterly, i.e. disown, abstain:  to forget oneself, lose sight of oneself and one's own interests.”  Gal 2:20  --  “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

    A.  Deny Possessions  --  Mark 10:21-23 

             1.  In this passage we read of the rich young ruler.  “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto

                 him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt

                 have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

             2. Here we see a lesson in priorities. There is nothing wrong with having possessions unless they possess 

                 you.  Jesus knew the condition of this man’s heart.  He was more concerned with his finances than the

                 service of being a disciple of Christ.

             3.  Possessions can keep you from bearing the cross.

    B.  Deny People  --  Luke 14:26  --  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and

         children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

             1.  Here we find another lesson in priorities.  The word hate means to “love less” and reveals that we as

                 Christians are to love Christ supremely.

             2.  Matthew 16:21-23  gives an example of denying people.

                 a.  In verse 21, Christ begins to reveal the will of God for His life.

                   b.  In verse 22,  Peter rebukes him and tries to restrain him.

                   c.  In verse 23,  Jesus turnes his back on Peter.  Jesus still loved Peter greatly, but not supremely.

             3.  People who love you may be the some of the greatest hinderances in your life as you attempt to do the

                 will of God.  People can keep you from “bearing your cross.”

                   a.  Abraham dwelt a Haran because of his father.  Haran means to “sit down or to dwell.”

                   b.  Job’s wife tried to get him to curse God.

    C.  Deny Pride  --  It will keep you from bearing the cross

             1.  The cross is not a popular thing.  Serving God is not a popular activity.  The believer can expect

                 opposition to his witness.  The believer must be willing to accept the criticism of the lost with a sense

                 of humility.  Humility is easy to preach, but very difficult to practice.

             2.  1 Cor. 1:18  --  “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which

                 are saved it is the power of God.”    The word fooliness is the Greek word “moria (mo-ree'-ah)” and is

                 equated with “silliness or absurdity”.  This world considers Christians to be weird.  Believers are

                 looked upon with disgust and contempt.  Don't be surprised. The cross is a emblem of suffering and

                 shame and those bearing it for Christ will be included in its ridicule.

II.  a Consecrated Life  --  “take up his cross”  --  The cross represents God’s will for your life.  Notice the word “his”.  No one else can bear the cross God has for you.  The words “take up” literally mean that we are to carry our cross “alone”.  It is every Christian’s duty and job to carry my cross.  The Cross is a Burden.  We not only carry it alone, but we must “bear” it alone.  The cross represents three things to the Christian.

    A.  Place of Sacrifice  --  Romans 12:1-2

             1.  Bearing the cross is a great sacrifice.  Many believers are unsuccessful because they make light of the

                 responsibility of witnessing.  We must realize that serving God faithfully and effectively requires that a

                 price be paid. It costs something to serve.  God’s will costs ever believer.

             2.  A ministry that costs nothing will accomplish nothing.  If the Christian wishes to be used in a powerful

                 way, he must dedicate himself to the cause of Christ with willing sacrifice.

             3.  The sacrifices of the cross are not always “big things”.  Sometimes small things like being faithful to

                 church, praying, and giving cause the believer to become faint.

    B.  Place of Substitute  --  Gal. 2:20

             1.  The cross stands as the place where Jesus died that we might live in him.  The crucifixion of ourselves

                 allows for the life of others.  The Christian’s cross is a place where death takes hold in order that the life

                 of Christ may be manifested to the world.

             2. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:”

             3.  Dying that others may live is a difficult sacrifice which the believer makes.  There is no self-glory

                 involved.  There is no immediate gratification.  However, the reward of heaven is worth the sacrifice of

                 today.  Christ at this point has not yet fully experienced and enjoyed the fruit of his sacrifice.  However,

                 eternity holds the full splendor of his accomplishments.

    C.  Place of Shame  --  Hebrews 12:2  --  “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the

         joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the

         throne of God.”

             1.  Christ Endured the Cross  --  The word “endured” means He “had fortitude and persevered through

                 difficulties.”  We can expect the same.  We will have difficulties. He endured the cross because of the

                 joy it would bring Him once He had bought our eternal redemption.

             2.  Christ Despised the Shame  --  Christ hated the way He was disgraced.  He “thought against it.” 

                 Becoming sin for lost humanity was not a pleasant experience.  Think of the intense suffering He

                 endured upon the cross.  This pain was not something He welcomed, but He remained faithful.  He

                 despised the shame.  The cross was a place of disgrace.

                 a.  He was judged and condemned by His own people.

                 b.  He was beaten, smitten, scouraged, spat upon, mocked, and ridiculed.

             3.  The whole purpose of the Cross is to cause pain.  Moses experienced this pain.  Hebrews 12:24,  “By

                 faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing

                 rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 

                 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the

                 recompence of the reward.”

             4.  Shame can be overcome by looking forward to the reward of faithfulness.  People will not always be

                 able to ridicule.  God will one day justify the Christian before the world.

III.  a Conformed Life  -- “follow me”

    A. Follow the Example of Christ  --  Matthew 26:39; Phil 2:8

             1.  Matthew 26:39  --  “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father,

                 if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

             2.  Phil. 2:8  -- “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto

                 death, even the death of the cross.”

             3.  Jesus in the garden prayed “Not as I will, but as thou wilt.”  He conformed His life to the will of God.

             4.  The cross is a place of humilty and obedience.  We are no longer leading, but He is.  We must

                  understand that once we are saved, it is no longer our will but His.

    B.  Focus on the Endurance of Christ  --  Hebrews 12:3-4

             1.  The believer's conformity will often lead to exhaustion.  One must be careful of self pity

                 and discouragement.  It can lead to failure in following the footsteps of Christ.

             2.  In Hebrews 12:3-4, Paul gives the antidote to self pity.  Sadly, believers sometimes hold the notion that

                 the troubles they are facing in the ministry are unfair.  Christians are notorious for throwing pity parties

                 for themselves.  What is the antidote against such actions? 

             3.  Paul tells the Jewish Christians that although they are facing extreme trials, at least they have not

                 suffered the ultimate challenge which is martyrdom.  The antidote to self pity is to realize others have 

                 literally given their lives bearing their crosses.  Christ “resisted unto blood.”

             4.  In light of Christ’s sacrifice, “What has the Cross cost you?”