'Taking Up the Cross'
Taking up the cross means denying oneself and following Christ, leading to spiritual victory and a life of holiness.
John Hames preaches on the importance of taking up our cross daily as a Christian duty, which involves going against our natural desires and embracing tasks that may seem burdensome or uncomfortable. He explains that 'taking up the cross' does not involve physical symbols but rather actions that challenge and stretch us spiritually. By willingly accepting and fulfilling these challenging duties, we demonstrate our commitment to following Christ and growing in holiness, ultimately leading us to the heavenly reward promised to those who faithfully carry their cross.
Text
"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
The command, "Take up the cross," is no doubt a strange one to the new beginner; therefore, for his special benefit we will hurriedly explain a part of what is meant by "taking up the cross." We are not to understand by the word cross that Christ meant for us to carry a crucifix on our person or hang a picture of the cross upon the wall. It means those phases of Christian duty which go against our grain and cross the desires of the natural man. The following are some of the things which constitute the cross:
The pastor appoints you to lead the young people's meeting or the prayer-meeting and just as soon as he does so you will feel a strange burden on your heart. Now from the human side of the matter you will feel like excusing yourself and telling him to appoint some one else; this kind of conduct, however, is what the Christian people call "shirking the cross," but if you resist this inclination to shirk and go right against your feelings and take the meeting as you were appointed, that would be "taking up the cross."
Again, you may be appointed by the sick committee to sit up at night with a sick brother; you may be willing to go, only you realize to some extent how greatly it will disadvantage you, but in order to please God you strain a point and go. This would be another way of "taking up the cross."
Still another way of taking it up is when you feel that the Lord would have you spend the day in fasting and prayer. This, of course, will be rudely protested by your appetite; nevertheless, you make the sacrifice and obey God.
No one can keep the victory and live for God who is given to shirking the cross. On the other hand, if we deny ourselves, and take up our cross daily, it will bear us on to the highlands of holiness and finally up to the city whose streets are gold, whose gates are pearl, whose inhabitants are saints and angels and whose king is Jehovah.
Sermon Outline
- What is Taking Up the Cross
- Examples of Shirking the Cross
- The Importance of Taking Up the Cross
- Living for God requires sacrifice
- Shirking the cross leads to spiritual defeat
- Taking up the cross leads to spiritual victory
Key Quotes
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” — John Hames
“No one can keep the victory and live for God who is given to shirking the cross.” — John Hames
“Taking up the cross leads to the highlands of holiness and finally up to the city whose streets are gold, whose gates are pearl, whose inhabitants are saints and angels and whose king is Jehovah.” — John Hames
Application Points
- We must be willing to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily in order to live for God.
- Shirking the cross leads to spiritual defeat and prevents us from experiencing the fullness of God's plan for our lives.
- Taking up the cross requires sacrifice, but it leads to spiritual victory and a life of holiness.