CROSS IN THE LIFE OF CHRISTIAN

TOPIC: CROSS IN THE LIFE OF CHRISTIAN

TEXT: Matthew 16:24 KJV
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Matthew 10:38 KJV
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

WHAT IS CROSS?
The Brutality of the Cross
Although the symbol of the cross appears in much pagan history prior to Jesus, the crucifixion cross has historical meaning due to the fact that crucifixion was a real, historical method of execution. As an instrument of death, the cross was detested by the Jews, when considering Jesus. How could the Messiah be executed on a cross? After all, the Greek and Roman Empire executed thousands of criminals and captives in just this manner (Alexander the Great executed two thousand Tyrian captives in this way, after the fall of the city). This form of punishment was usually reserved for such crimes as treason, desertion, robbery, piracy, assassination, and other such crimes. It continued in the Roman empire until the day of Constantine, when it was abolished as an insult to Christianity.
CROSS IS TRIBULATION AND TRIAL OF CHRISTIAN IN GOOD FAITH NOT BECAUSE OF THEIR SINS

Might be, hatred/ joblessness/ poverty/ disease/ sickness/ failure/ lack/trial of faith/ etc
Cross are tribulation

LETS SEE WHAT THE SCRIPTURE HAS TO SAY ABOUT THIS
John 16:33 KJV
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 14:22 KJV
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
SO HERE THE BIBLE IS CONFIRMING THAT WE CANT ESCAPE TRIBULATION AS WE JOURNEY TO HEAVEN
1 Thessalonians 3:4 KJV
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
WHAT TO DO WHEN CARRYING CROSS
2 Thessalonians 1:4 KJV
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

Ephesians 3:13 KJV
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

READ ROMANS 12:9-21
OUR TRIBULATIONS AND TRIALS SHOULD BRING JOY AND COMFORT
2 Corinthians 7:4 KJV
Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
PURPOSE OF OUR TRIBULATIONS AND TRIALS
2 Corinthians 1:4 KJV
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Romans 5:3-5 KJV
And not only so , but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
WHAT WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW TRIBULATION TO CAUSE FOR US
Romans 8:35-39 KJV
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
CONCLUSION
Deuteronomy 4:29-31 KJV
But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him , if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. [30] When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; [31] (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.