Mark 8:34 (New International Version)
"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
I once heard a pastor say, if you were to be put on trial, would there be enough evidence and witnesses to prove that you are indeed a Christian?
We can not follow Jesus unless we deny our selfishness first.
We all have a cross to carry.
The Goodnews Bible says, If anyone will come with me he must forget himself. The way of God, the way to life, the way to greatness in the sight of God is the way of the cross.
The cross is the denial of our self-centeredness. Carrying the cross means we must die to leading self-centered lives and instead seek to live Christ-centered lives.
It's not easy to die to our selfish desires. It's not easy to put living for Christ at the center of our daily lives. How do we do this?
We love God by loving others. We treat other people like they are more important than ourselves. We dedicate ourselves to supporting the Body of Christ (the local church) with our time, talents and resources.
We forgive those who have trespassed against us.
We put God's will for our lives ahead of our own agenda.
We follow Jesus. We Love Him by obeying His teachings.
That is how we carry our cross every day. We spend time in worship with God AND His people! Yeah, you need to belong to HIS church! No excuses. No whining. No pointing fingers and blaming the church for why you don't go. Just find one and commit yourself to the family of God. Do it for the LOVE of God.
Let the world see the evidence of your faith as a true Christ follower. Pick up your cross and FOLLOW Jesus to church this Sunday.
Easter is the perfect time for new beginnings with God! Want to know how to get a better life? Follow Jesus! It's the ONLY WAY to get to heaven!
See you this Sunday!
He has Risen!
He's ALIVE!
And He's looking for you!!!
Because He LIVES,
Pastor Lin