Our opening gets off to a rough start, thanks to David the Retrobot. Technical difficulties means that we have to skip the usual segments to meet the Hosts, and other random things.

The Main Topic is from an outline of a recet sermon that Nathan preached. There’s still a little bit of a hiccup as we move through the following outline, thanks to Callie the Retrobot for putting David in his p[lace, and correcting Keith on the opening scripture passage.

SERMON: THE BURDEN OF THE CROSS

TEXT ((Matt 16:24-25)

24 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. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Intro:

The cross has always been synonymous with suffering. It was a cruel mode of torturous death, and it was how our savior died.

So when we see Christ calling us to carry our cross, we realize this isn’t going to be pleasant. However, it is necessary.

Jesus knew the death he would have to die. It was evident in even the word picture he used for us: THE CROSS!

In order to carry our cross, let’s take a look at what this entailed for Christ…and then what it will take for us

I. The Stress of the Cross

* Jesus in garden (Matt 26:36-46)

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 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. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

* “felt heavy” (Matt 26:37)

* it’s not sin to be stressed! Jesus felt Heavy.

* Stress of what was to come (wrath of God)

* Stress of inattentive friends (fell asleep)

* BELIEVER: “I come not bringing peace, but a sword” (Matt 10:34-39)

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

* We may have to deal with tough times. Our friends may not understand. Jesus does. He will always be there. (Matt 28:20; Hebrews 13:5)

*

20.Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,