The Cross - Come, Carry, Endure, Receive

The Cross is the foundation of every believer but yet too many times we come to the cross for salvation but never carry our cross, endure our cross, which means we really do not walk in the full power of the cross. After we come to the cross and receive salvation we now need to take up our cross and follow Him.

Jesus instructs HIS disciples that unless they take up their cross they cannot be His disciples, Matt 16: 21-26. After we carry our cross, God now wants us to help others carry their cross just like Simon, Matthew 27:32, had to help Jesus carry His cross on the way to Golgotha.

Our own cross and the cross of others can get heavy but great news is we have someone who did it for us and will help us along our way. Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, endured the cross all the way to Golgotha and then transitioned to sit at the right hand of the throne of God, Hebrews 12:1-7. What was a motivating factor for Jesus to endure the cross with joy? YOU and I.

The Apostle Paul understood the cross and why Christians need to come to the cross, carry it, endure the weight of it and others, and then receive the power that is available because of the cross, 1 Corinthians 1:17-24. If we do this on a daily basis, we can cancel the assignments sent by the devil to destroy those in our harvest field because we came to the cross, carried it, endured it, and received the power from Heaven to annual the plan(s) of the enemy. Esther had the same challenge as we approach Purim, Esther 4:13-17 and so do we! Did you accept the challenge?

Questions to discuss

1) Why do you have to come to cross?

2) Why is carrying or bearing our cross daily important to Jesus?

3) Who did Jesus see when He endured the cross and who do you see?

4) What will you be able to receive when you come, carry, and endure the cross that will help others?

5) What were some aha nuggets that you are letting become life in your life from this message?

Enduring my cross,

Rev. Ryan Welker