Matthew 7:13-14 13 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Luke 9:23 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Luke 14:27 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Luke 23:26 26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

When the Cross Seems TOO Heavy Are you ever tempted to lay your cross down?

Living as a New Creature Among Sinners Walking as a new creature means living differently than others – Eph. 4:17-24 The world will indeed think us strange for living this way, adding to the weight of our cross! – 1 Pet. 4:1-5

Preaching Righteousness in a Sinful World The constant call to preach the gospel can easily become a toilsome burden – Mark 16:15-16 Preaching righteousness in the face of persecution and rejection makes it even more burdensome – Acts 8:1-4 Yet, we are mindful of Noah and his work as a preacher of righteousness – 2 Pet. 2:4-5

Assembling and Worshipping Amidst Distraction The reality of a warning not to forsake expresses the potentiality of such becoming a burden – Heb. 10:23-25 Does assembling and worship make us glad or is it a weariness to us? – cf. Psa. 122:1; Mal 1:6-13

Sacrificing for Him While Others Do Not Sacrifices for the cross come in all shapes and sizes. Are we willing to make them? – Mark 10:21-31 Is the cost of discipleship taxing to you? – Luke 14:25-33

Facing Rejection from Worldly Family and Friends When your family and friends become your enemies for the sake of the cross, the cross will feel incredibly heavy – Matt. 10:32-38 Where the world takes, God gives. Are we truly willing to leave all to follow Him? – cf. Luke 18:28-30

Hebrews 11:24-26 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

Galatians 6:8 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Luke 12:8-9 8 Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.