This sermon emphasizes the profound meaning behind Jesus' call to 'take up the cross and follow me,' going beyond mere expectations of persecution to embodying Christ's example of sacrificial love and forgiveness. It challenges believers to live out the message of the cross by forgiving others as they have been forgiven, highlighting the importance of mercy and compassion in receiving God's forgiveness. The sermon also delves into the consequences of unforgiveness and the need to align our actions with the teachings of Christ, especially in extending forgiveness to others.

He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is done, so he openeth not his mouth. Jesus said these staggering words, Take up the cross and follow me. Have you? Take up the cross. What does God mean? When he says to all who would follow him, all disciples through the ages to unite, Take up the cross and follow me. Philippians 1 verse 29, For unto you it is given on the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Unto you it is given on the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. When Jesus said take up the cross and follow me, when Jesus said take up the cross and follow me, he meant far more, far more than to expect a life of difficulties or persecution if you follow me. When Jesus said take up the cross and follow me, he meant far more than to expect a life of persecutions or sufferings or difficulties. I can take you to religions across the world. I can take you to multitudes of people who do not follow Christ, but who follow other religions who would testify of persecution for their faith, of suffering, of being wrongly treated for their faith. But when Jesus said to us, take up the cross and follow me, he meant far more than to expect a life of persecution if you follow him. He meant follow my example as they nailed me to the cross. Have you? Child of God, have you ever taken up the cross and followed him? He meant follow my example as they nailed me to the cross. 1 Peter 2 verse 19, For this is thankworthy, this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it when you be buffeted for your faults, he shall take it patiently. But if when you do well and suffer for it, he take it patiently. This is acceptable with God, for even here unto where ye called. Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that he should follow his steps, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, who when he was reviled, reviled not again. When he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. Have you followed the example? Have you followed the example of the cross, leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps? Have you? Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, who when he was reviled, had you done what he did, sir? Have you taken up the cross and followed Christ once in your life since you've been saved? Do you know if you take the message of the cross for the lost, you lose the right to preach the message of the cross for the lost, if you do not have the ability to live the example of the cross for the saved. You have no right to preach the message of the cross to the lost, unless you have taken up and you live by grace the example of the cross for the saved. Matthew 18, verse 21, Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents, but for as much as he had not to pay, his Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence, and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou ow'st. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that was done. Then his Lord, after that he had called them, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desirest me. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his Lord was wrath, and delivered him to the tormentor, so that he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. In Matthew 7 verse 1, Jesus warned, Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged. And with what measure ye meet, it shall be measured to you again. And James, James wrote in chapter 2 verse 12, So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy. He shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Christ taught in Matthew chapter 5 verse 7, and in chapter 6 verse 12, He taught us to pray, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And went on to say in verse 14, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Do you believe these words? Forgive to be forgiven. Forgive to be forgiven. I don't know what point doctrinally to speak of here, but I am not going to lose the right to preach what Jesus says, for fear of trampling on people's toes who say Christians must be forgiven. Jesus said you won't be forgiven. Was He speaking to the unsaved? No. Your heavenly Father will not forgive you, if you don't forgive your brothers, every one from the heart. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you. We don't hear this preached in the pulpit, for fear of trampling on men's doctrine, you know. I don't place myself in any doctrinal camp. You know why? People don't like me to say that, but I don't want to lose the right to preach every word in this book. And I'm going to tell you loud and clear here, Jesus said these words. Do you believe He meant them? Forgive to be forgiven. I was here in America last year and did a tour, and I came to a home where there was a godly man, a godly woman, and they had a large family.