TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY AND FOLLOW ME

Text: Mark 8:34-38
INTRODUCTION:
At the beginning of the Lord’s ministry, He selected workers that would be trained for the work He had come to do (John 6:38-39). The workers which the scriptures called disciples would be peculiar. Their condition of engagement would be in the order of The Savior and the assignment given to Him by God the Father. Namely: Total Abandonment. And so, He laid down the same condition to every would-be disciple. Luke 9:23, Matt 10:38-39. May the Holy Spirit the Great Teacher Himself will plant seed of quick understanding and wisdom in our hearts in Jesus name.
TRUE DISCIPLESHIP
The conditions put in place for us to be His disciples are very revealing as it involves total self-denial and commitment to the job He has assigned to us (John 4:34) with a promise of a reward/ a place with Him in heaven. (John 14:3)
1. A call to discipleship
*A call to give up that which is of little value in order to gain that which is of great value. This world is worthless compared to Jesus –Mark 8:36, Phil 3:8. It is a life of total self-denial and full focus on His righteousness.
*It is a life-long call and commitment, an unending followership of the Lord – Luke 9:62, Joshua 24:15.
2. Discipleship is not an option for the super committed believers alone
*Every believer is called to become a disciple John 6:60-70
*Your light must shine – Acts 10:38, Matt 5:14-16, Mark 16:16-18
3. There is a reward for every believer that follows Christ satisfactorily to the end.
The condition for a reward is to follow Jesus obediently and diligently and to do as He has commanded to the end Matt 25:31.
*The Lord has promised a seat with Him in glory – John 14:2.
*The gift of eternal life - John 3:16
*Incorruptible crown of life – 1 Cor. 9:25, Crown of life, righteousness, glory and rejoicing -James 1:12, 2 Tim 4:8, 1 Pet 5:4, 1 Thess. 2:19
CONCLUSION
The call to take up our cross and follow Jesus should not be taken lightly. This is the real reason for our salvation i.e to become witnesses and ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). We must obey fully the commands of Jesus and fulfill the purpose for which we have been called as Christians. May the Almighty God grant us the grace to be His true and fruitful disciples.