THE
NECESSITY OF OUR CROSSES
BREAD
21 They
preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then
they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening
the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go
through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Acts 14:21-22 (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
2 We
sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the
gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so
that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we
were destined for them. 1 Thessalonians
3:2-3 (NIV)
10 You,
however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith,
patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things
happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet
the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In
fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be
persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to
worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and
have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and
how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you
wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:10-15 (NIV)
2 Consider
it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because
you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance
must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
3 Praise
be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has
given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil
or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until
the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In
this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to
suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth
than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine
and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:3-7 (NIV)
12 Dear
friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though
something strange were happening to you. 13 But
rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be
overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1
Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)
23 Then
he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he
must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole
world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?”
Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)
27 “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot
be my disciple.” Luke 14:27 (NIV)
BUTTER
“You can’t sneak quietly into heaven without a cross. Crosses form us into His image. They cut away the pieces of our
corruption. Lord cut, carve, wound; Lord
do anything to perfect your image in us and make us fit for glory. We need winnowing before we enter the kingdom
of God. O what I owe to the file,
hammer, and furnace!” Samuel Rutherford
“The
cross is rough, and it is deadly, but it is effective.” A. W.
Tozer
“As we look back to our pains and sufferings, we shall see
that suffering is not worthy to be compared to our first night’s welcome home
in heaven. If we could smell of heaven
and our country above, our crosses would not bite us. Lay all your loads by faith on Christ, ease
yourself, and let Him bear all. He can,
He does, and He will bear you.” Samuel
Rutherford
“Submission is our
duty; quibbling is our folly. Our Lord may say to us what he said to Peter,
‘What is that to you? You follow Me!’ Wherever Jesus may lead us, He goes before us. If we do not know
where we go, we know with whom we go. With such a companion, who will dread the
dangers of the journey? The road may be long, but His everlasting arms will
carry us to the end.” C.
H. Spurgeon revised by Alistair Begg
“My dear brother, let God do what He wills
now, and He shall make glory out of your sufferings and end them with
consolation.” Samuel Rutherford
“There are no
crown-wearers in heaven who were not cross-bearers here below.” Charles Spurgeon
“If the worst things work for good
to a believer, what shall the best things?
Nothing hurts the godly…all things…shall co-operate for their good, that
their crosses shall be turned into blessings.” Puritan Thomas Watson
“Nothing
you hold onto in this life can be taken with you when your reign is over. If
you will pick up your cross and lay down your dreams and desires, I will take
you on a journey through this life that will be far more meaningful and adventurous
than you could ever imagine. I know that what I ask feels like a great sacrifice--and
it is! But What I offer you is a life that will live on long after you're gone,
and faith that will be carved into the hearts of all those with whom you shared
my love. So I ask again, My beloved: will you pick up your cross and follow Me?” Sheri
Rose Shepherd
“The cross you’ve been
given —is always God’s kindest decision. The cross you carry — is carrying
you toward who you are meant to be.” Ann Voskamp
HEART SAVOR
·
Christian,
do not be surprised at suffering.
·
Our
crosses are painful yet profitable.
·
We want to
be mature, complete and not lacking anything rather than to be found wanting.
