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For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Paul suggests that the cross has an “effect” and that “the power of God” is in the preaching of it.
Luke 14:25-27
25 ¶ And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
The “effect” of the “power of God” is no doubt seen in the context of the Scripture when Jesus commanded that we follow Him (His example) and take up our cross…that what He did for us, we should do in return for Him!
The “INDICATIVE” mood of the Greek text implies that the soul who is truly saved (come to me) then must expect that choice to at some point cause him to have to choose the Will and Way of God in contradiction to family, friends, and even self
Philippians 2:8
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
CHOOSING Death by Crucifixion…complete devotion and self-denial for the sake of another…Jesus did this for me, and I MUST do this for Him!
25 ¶ And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
A PERSONAL DECISION
He Bore Our BLAME – I MUST BEAR HIS
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Identify with Jesus Christ…HOW…by LOSING my identity in HIS
· There should be NOTHING He would do that I would NOT…
· Neither should there be ANYTHING He would AVOID that I would NOT…
“CHRISTIAN”
Leave NO DOUBT in this world as to WHERE you BELONG
He Bore Our SHAME – I MUST BEAR HIS
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
FOLLOWING THROUGH with my decision…
o Identifying with Christ
o IMITATING CHRIST
Leave NO DOUBT in this world as to WHOM you BELONG
He Bore Our PAIN – I MUST BEAR HIS
Galatians 6:17
From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
o He suffered it ALL…I MUST be willing to suffer any and all for Him
What “marks” are in or on my life that would define me as “Christian”?
What have I suffered for the cause of Christ?
How does my life MATCH HIS?
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