(Read Matthew 10:34-39)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter. Our study has brought us to Matthew 10. For the past couple of days we have been looking at verses 34-39. Let’s go back to this passage today.
Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace. I came to bring trouble. I have come to make this happen:
‘A son will turn against his father. A daughter will turn against her mother. A daughter-in-law will turn against her mother-in-law. Even members of your own family will be your enemies.’
Those who love their father or mother more than they love me are not worthy of me. And those who love their son or daughter more than they love me are not worthy of me. Those who will not accept the cross that is given to them when they follow me are not worthy of me. Those who try to keep the life they have will lose it. But those who give up their life for me will find true life.”
For this morning’s message we will focus in on our personal cross.
So what does this mean to you today? A couple of things.
1. Jesus will never ask you to do something He was not willing to do.
a) Jesus was willing to take up his cross. He was willing to die to self. Jesus was willing to give up His life in order to accomplish the assignment the Father sent Him into the earth to accomplish. Jesus then taught His disciples to do the same.
b) Jesus did not come as an example FOR us, He came as an example OF us. He personified the life we are supposed to live.
c) In Jesus we see a picture of true success. This success is not measured in money, cars, houses or worldly fame. This success is measured by the level of human submission there is to divine purpose.
2. There is a cross associated with following Jesus. Jesus said, “Those who will not accept the cross that is given to them when they follow me are not worthy of me.”
a) The cross is a symbol of death and dying. It is also the pathway to purpose. You will never become the man/woman God called you to be until you die to self.
b) You must “accept” the cross that is given to you for following Jesus. You must do it, no one can do it for you, and it must be an act of your free will. God is looking for willing obedience. Partial or resistant obedience is actually disobedience.
c) God will not force you to sacrifice your life for the life He planned for you to have. You are not a puppet and He is not a puppetmaster. But if you willingly die to sin, self and selfishness, you will get to experience the life God sent you into this earth to live and it will be better than you ever imagined.
3. Are you ready to truly live?
a) In Christ you must die to live. God requires you to lose in order to gain, to release in order to receive, to concede in order to conquer!
b) There is an amazing life waiting for you on the other side of SURRENDER.
c) Once you willingly sacrifice the life you came up with for the life God planned for you to have you will experience heaven on earth.
d) Give yourself away and you will find yourself in God! Take up your cross, die to self, and follow Jesus — you will be glad you did!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You made plans for me before the world began. I can never find true success outside of those plans. I tried to pursue success on my own, on my own terms, and my own way. All I have to show for it is toil and frustration. So I now pursue success Your way. I now seek grace-based success; success that is connected to my divine purpose. I die to self. I pick up my cross daily. I willingly yield to You and follow You all the days of my life. My life is not about me, it is ALL ABOUT YOU and what You have called me to do. As I live this way — dying to live, losing to gain, conceding to conquer — I get to experience the life You sent me into the earth to experience. I will enjoy heaven some day, but for now, because I submit to You, I get to experience heaven on earth! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
