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Mark 8:34-38 34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Why Must We Carry A Cross?

It’s a Requirement of Followers 34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Mark 8:34

It’s a Requirement of Followers 1. If one is going to follow Christ, they must live like it. 2. Failure to live a righteous & godly life is failure in bearing the cross.

It’s part of Denying Self. 1. To deny our self we must deny pleasure that are sinful. 2. If we are unwilling to deny ourselves of things that separate us from God then we will never see heaven.

It is Part of Losing Our Life for Christ. Man must lose his desire to live ungodly. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, Philippians 3:13

It is Part of Losing Our Life for Christ. Failure to lose such desires will only cause God to be far from us. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double- minded. James 4:8

What Man Gives

Man Gives up Worldliness for the Cross 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36

Man Gives up Worldliness for the Cross Man must give up putting himself first. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 Man must realize he must lose before he can gain.

Man Gives up Worldliness for the Cross Man exchanging sinfulness for Godliness 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:37

Man Gives up Worldliness for the Cross Man exchanging sinfulness for Godliness 1. Stores have exchange policies. a. We must learn what we gain by using the Lord’s exchange policy 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:37 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie… Romans 1:25a 2. When is the last time you exchanged sin for forgiveness and mercy?

Lessons For Us Today

Losing Life to Gain it 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. Mark 8:35

Losing Life to Gain it Man will only gain spiritual when he learns how to prevent himself from dying spiritually. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20:6 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

Only cross bearers have will have Eternal Life. For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38

Only cross bearers have will have Eternal Life. 1. Bearing the cross of Christ, living the Christian life is the only way to gain heaven. 2. This teaching of Christ go against the idea of “once saved always saved”. 3. Christ is teaching a lifelong faithfulness to Him.

Conclusion Man must deny himself, take up the cross of Christ, and follow Him. 34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Mark 8:34 Failure to do these things results in failing to reach heaven.