Plain, Simple, Powerful — First Jesus

I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who He is; then Jesus and what He did — Jesus crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (MSG)

The Way of the Cross

Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Luke 9:23–25 (NIV)

"Safe? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”

Take Up Your Cross

The cross is not only the ground of our salvation; it is also the pattern of our discipleship. We are saved by Christ's sacrifice for us, and we are transformed as we take up our cross and follow Him.

The Call That Costs — Ornament or Instrument?

What is the most costly thing your faith has ever asked of you? Why did you assume that it was unusual?

Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9:23 (NIV).

We must do something about the cross, and one of two things only we can do—flee it or die upon it. — A. W. Tozer

1.         Deny

‘I don’t know Him.’ Luke 22:57 (NIV).

Self-denial is not denying to ourselves luxuries such as chocolates, cakes, cigarettes and cocktails (although it might include this); it is actually denying or disowning ourselves, renouncing our supposed right to go our own way. John Stott

2.         Take up

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ 2 Corinthians 12:8–9 (NIV)

3.         Follow

I die daily [I face death every day and die to self]. 1 Corinthians 15:31 (AMP)

Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Luke 10:3 (NIV).

It is easy to acknowledge an obligation for a moment; it is the daily, hourly, continuous turning of the mind to God that is hard. C.S. Lewis

The Costly Walk of Faith

God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain that I will show you.’ Genesis 22:2 (NIV).

Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. Genesis 22:3 (NIV).

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together. Genesis 22:6 (NIV).

But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ Genesis 22:9–11 (NIV).

Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). John 19:17 (NIV).

The Call to Follow Jesus

Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will save it. Luke 9:24 (NIV).

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24 (ESV).

Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9:23 (NIV).