Home Page   Contact Us    Service Times   Sermons   Are You Going To Heaven?

NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!

THE PASSION OF THE CHRISTIAN

Introduction

In the preceding verses, we hear the Lord Jesus asking His disciples some pointed questions. (Look at verses 13-18)

The announcement in verse 18 of the Church introduced the disciples to a tremendous truth that was completely foreign to their thinking.

Jesus’ followers fully expected to see Christ reign as King over Israel in their lifetime.

However, the Lord knew differently, and at this point He begins to prepare them for the unexpected. Before the kingdom reign there was to be the building of a Church!

This was a mystery that was unknown to them, and a program which would demand the rejection and crucifixion of the Christ. It is for that reason that we find the admonition in verse 20.

He then goes on in verse 21 where we see what I will call:

I.         THE STRIKING REVELATION.

He warns them specifically about His impending suffering, death, and resurrection.

Truly convinced that Jesus was the Messiah–that is, He was the very One of whom the prophets spoke, the Christ of God–the disciples had no idea whatsoever that before His glorious reign, there would be a shameful cross.

They had never dreamed that before His acceptance as King, they would see Him rejected and nailed to a tree!

Imagine the shock it must have been for these men to hear that instead of going to Jerusalem upon a throne, the Christ would die on a cross. (Vs 22)

There is no doubt that He was destined to wear a kingly crown, but first He would wear a crown of thorns.

In answering Peter’s objections, Jesus uses some severe language in verse 23. In fact this is reminiscent of Jesus’ words to Satan himself in Luke 4:5-8 as Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.

            Peter did not understand the things of God!

            Peter did not comprehend God’s program and purposes in Christ!

            Peter did not comprehend Christ’s mission!

            Peter was allowing Satan to use him as a stumblingblock on Jesus’ path to Calvary!

The Death of Christ was no surprise to God! His crucifixion was not a tragic mistake as far as God’s redemptive purposes are concerned! Jesus Christ came into this world fully aware that He was to give His life as a sacrifice for sin!

Although the news of His suffering and death came as a new revelation to Jesus’ disciples, it shouldn’t have! Centuries before, the Prophet Isaiah had made a detailed prediction in Isaiah 53!

Because of His great love for a world of sinners, Jesus voluntarily left Heaven’s glory, took upon Himself the form of a servant, assumed man’s guilt, and though sinless Himself, went to the Cross and died in our place, shed His blood for the remission of our sins, was buried and rose again the third day, demonstrating that the work of redemption was complete and that God was satisfied.

And because of that, salvation, forgiveness of sin, and everlasting life is offered freely to those who will receive it!

            THE STRIKING REVELATION. (The Way of the Cross!)

II.       THE CHALLENGING INVITATION. (Vs 24)

            To get the full force of these words, we must keep in mind “The Striking Revelation.”

It is as though He said, “Now that I have told you the truth about my suffering , do you still want to be my disciples? I am not going to set up the kingdom at this time as you had expected. For now, at least, if you continue to follow me, you won’t be traveling the King’s Highway; but rather the pathway of the cross!

Are you still willing to follow after me? Are you ready to pay the price? Are you desirous of submitting yourselves to the same suffering as that of your Master? If you are then this is my invitation to you.” (Vs 24)

You see, it is one thing to be a follower of One who is a popular leader, and quite another to pledge allegiance to One who is despised and rejected.

From the human standpoint it make sense to align ourselves with the “going” concern, with the “popular personality,” with the organization that has a “future.” We want to share in the glory of such a person or organization when we do.

It is quite another thing to give our undying loyalty to a cause that seems doomed, to give ourselves to a philosophy which is disdained by the masses, to follow the path of suffering and rejection. The only thing you can share in with that is the suffering!

This is the message with which Jesus faces His disciples with at this point. Although the day would come when all that had been predicted about His kingdom reign would literally be fulfilled, down to the very last detail, the next event on the agenda might well involve suffering and death for the servants, just as it was for their Master!

            With this in mind Jesus seems to challenge His followers:

            Knowing the facts, would you still be my disciples?

Do you believe in me enough to go through anything with me or has your allegiance simply been for personal gain and fame?

This invitation of the Lord to His disciples almost two thousand years ago comes ringing across the centuries as a challenge to us today as well. Jesus wants those who have come to Him for salvation to follow after Him in service.

Now understand that coming to the Saviour for salvation costs us absolutely nothing!

            Salvation is free! The work of redemption was finished on the cross by the Lord Jesus!

            Our message is to , “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

Ephesians 2:8-9– “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

            Following after Christ costs us a tremendous price!

            Service for the Lord is costly! It means denial and sacrifice!

The way of the cross involved infinite suffering for the Saviour in providing for our salvation! The pathway of service is also lined with crosses:

Consider the price the Apostle Paul paid. Look at Peter and John. Review the history of the martyrs throughout history. Thousands upon thousands have sacrificed greatly for their faithful testimony! Many thousands are sacrificing greatly for Him even today!

In the light of this, would you also be a disciple? Are you willing to pay the price, accept the shame, and endure the suffering?

            Christ doesn’t command us here to take up our cross, rather He beseeches us to take it up!

            (Compare verse 24 with Paul’s beseeching in Romans 12:1)

            What kind of service is the Saviour seeking? He is seeking a service of love!

            2 Corinthians 5:14–“For the love of Christ constraineth us. . .”

Christ is looking for those who, out of gratitude and appreciation for the love of God that was revealed in Christ, will respond by saying, “Because of all that You have done for me; being mindful of Your marvelous grace; regardless of the price, in spite of the cost (because it is nothing at all compared with what You have done for me); I am accepting the invitation of my Saviour to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Him!

Notice those last words of verse 24, “follow Me.” Our guide and example is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “follow ME.”

The servant is not asked to go through anything which His Master has not already been through, and to an even greater degree.

Does the pathway of service seem difficult? Is the way of the cross frightening? Are you afraid of the humiliation? Then look at what the Saviour has already done for us. Look at Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 12:1-4; Ephesians 5:1-2

It is He of who these Scriptures speak who calls to us today. To those who have come TO Him for salvation, He now calls on us to follow AFTER Him in lives of loving service and obedience.

What will your answer be? Will you this day say, “Yes Lord, here is my life, here are my talents, here is my body, here is my all, take me Lord Jesus, and use me for Thy praise and glory”?

The hour is late. The world is rapidly plunging on its way to judgment; and what we do must be done with haste. In this midnight hour God is looking for men, women, and even children who with courage, conviction and determination will take a stand, denying personal comforts, selfish interests and popular acclaim, who will go all out for the Lord!

            Look at Hymn 427 in the Hymnal–“Am I a Soldier of the Cross?”

To follow the Saviour on the way to the cross entailed hardship and suffering for his disciples who were willing to be His faithful followers.

Even so today, those who would be His disciples must be ready to face testing and pay a price.

2 Timothy 3:12–Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

            Discipleship requires self-denial, a willing endurance, and implicit obedience!

These are not the requirements to obtain salvation, but rather essential elements for a fruitful life of service after we have been born again!

            A.        Let Him Deny Himself.

Self-denial may be said to be renouncing and forsaking whatever comes in competition with our love and service for Christ.

Understand that the Lord does not frown upon our enjoyment of some of the better things in life. He doesn’t expect us to refrain deliberately from every pleasurable thing. He doesn’t take satisfaction in seeing His children unhappy and going around with long faces. He wants us to enjoy the blessings which He has so freely bestowed upon us!

However, the line is drawn when these things become uppermost in our minds, when they become our idols, when they come into conflict with the revealed will of God, when they begin to compete with our love and service for Him, and even when they become a stumbling block or an offense to others!

If I can serve the Lord better by eating a good meal, He doesn’t want me to starve myself. If I can serve the Lord better by getting a good night’s rest on a comfortable bed, He doesn’t want me to sleep on a wooden slab. If I can serve the Lord better by meeting and mingling with others, He doesn’t want me to lock myself up in a secluded monastery.

                        The matter of self-denial involves the complete submission to the will of God!

            B.        Let Him. . .Take Up His Cross.

We are not asked to bear the cross of Christ. He bore it alone. He does request, however that we take up our own crosses.

                        Jesus’ cross was His passion, our cross is our passion!

                        What is “our” cross? I don’t know what your cross may be?

                                    It could be one of bearing persecution.

                                    It could be castigation by loved ones or friends.

                                    It could be one of losing a job because of your testimony.

                                    It could be ridicule by the world for taking a stand for Christ.

                                    It could be a life of loneliness or separation.

                        Whatever our cross may be, it should be borne cheerfully.1 Peter 2:19-20; 3:14

            C.        Let Him. . .Follow Me.

                        When Jesus spoke these words, His disciples could literally follow Him.

Today, we no longer see Him physically.

Therefore, to follow Him today is simply to obey His Word; to walk in conformity to His will. If we are truly following Him:

                        1.         We will DO what He wants us to do.

                        2.         We will GO where He wants us to go.

                        3.         We will SAY what He wants us to say.

Are we faithfully following our Saviour? Have we been willing to deny ourselves? Have we cheerfully taken up our crosses? Are we following Him closely every step of the way? Or, could it be that some of us, like Peter, are following Him afar off?

May God grant that we, as believers, may willingly accept the Challenging Invitation–to follow on in the way of the cross, regardless of the cost.

            THE STRIKING REVELATION. (The Way of the Cross!)

THE CHALLENGING INVITATION. (Deny yourself, take up thy cross, and follow Me!)

III.      THE IMPELLING MOTIVATION.

Is it worth it all? Does it pay to serve Jesus? What value is there in taking a stand for Christ and enduring the ridicule of believers and unbelievers alike?

Why should I make any kind of sacrifice while others right in my own Church don’t give serious thought to their obligations? Look at verse 25-27

Knowing that His disciples might be tempted to go back to their old way of life, Jesus now reveals that He is coming again and when He does, He will reward each and every one of them according to their works.

The prospect of the Lord’s return and the coming reward in glory has been a motivating factor in the lives of God’s children down through all the centuries.

This hope was the driving force in the life of the Apostle Paul! He was one of the most severely persecuted servants of Christ, and yet in spite of it all, it was none other than Paul who penned these words:

Romans 8:18–“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

For years he had suffered sore persecution, but concluded, in Romans 5:3– “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also.”

            It was because he had his eyes on the glorious future that he could say:

2 Corinthians 4:17, 18–“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

            With this perspective he could write to Timothy:

2 Timothy 4:7-8–“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Notice that Paul speaks of a crown of righteousness, which awaits not only him, but “all them also that love his appearing.”

One of the greatest incentives for righteous living and dedicated service is the hope of the Lord’s imminent return. Look at 1 Corinthians 3:13-15

Conclusion

Perhaps one of the most disheartening aspects of Christian service, from the purely human standpoint, is to faithfully endeavor to do God’s will, perhaps at great cost, and to endure suffering for it, while others go on their merry way seemingly disinterested and apparently not concerned one bit about the needs of others or the claims of God upon them, all the while basking in the sunlight of popularity and the pleasures of prosperity.

The question comes, “Why should I make any personal sacrifice while others don’t give a serious thought to their obligations to Christ? Why should I endure hardship while the Lord allows others to take the easy way? Look at John 21:18-22.

It is only logical, it is only right in light of all God has bestowed on us that we share His passion!

There is a Challenging Invitation before you this morning!

There is an Impelling Motivation that awaits us in glory!

Will you share in the Passion of Christ? Paul said:

Philippians 3:10–“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”

It all begins with your acceptance of The Passion of Christ for you!

Home Page   Contact Us    Service Times   Sermons   Are You Going To Heaven?

NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!