Follow Along with the Message

Embrace Jesus’ Will

 Pastor Tom Lundeen

...Jesus has told us that every human being (including ) are all on a road trip, so to speak; but the road we choose to travel on will make all the difference in this life and eternity (note Matthew 7:13-14).

Note Luke 9:23

This is an incredible statement that would have  and flabbergasted Jesus’ disciples 2,000 years ago.

Unfortunately in 2021, the idea of having to “bear a cross” in our lives is either something we don’t have a  for so we don't understand it, or we’ve watered it down to such a degree that it’s true meaning is lost on us.

1. What Cross-Bearing Is  

This is my cross to bear has been an oft-used /figure of speech…

Note Luke 9:23

...it has come to be used in much different ways than Jesus meant, as this phrase has been , manipulated, and weakened.

While these and other things can certainly be hard things to experience and navigate in life, there is nothing distinctly  about them…(note Matthew 5:45).

2. What It Does Mean to Take Up

2,000 years ago in Roman-occupied Israel, a cross had no  meaning to anyone.

The context of Luke 9:23 shows us Jesus was  His disciples to His cross (note Luke 9:18-22).

Note Luke 9:23

Jesus was constantly telling His disciples that following Him wouldn’t always be the , popular, or accepted thing in the opinions of others (note Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:18-21; 16:1-3, 33).

This means total surrender,  abandonment, embracing God’s will (note Luke 22:41-44).

Jesus is saying that following Him means that every day I  that I have died with Jesus and to myself, that I have died to my self-centered motives and desires, and live my life for

Jesus every minute of every day even if there are  difficult things to experience…

Am I on the road less traveled? :

• Following Jesus is  when life is going well.
• Here are some important questions to seriously ponder:

         Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means:

...  some close friends?

... some level of estrangement with some of your ?

... some people will  your reputation?

... your  may suffer, or that you may even lose your job?

...  your life?

Jesus never said all these things and more will without a doubt happen to you.

But to follow Jesus means I’m willing to embrace Jesus’ will when it’s hard, when it  me something…

But Jesus also wants you and me to know that the  far outweighs whatever loss/cost (note Luke 9:24; Matthew 19:27-29).

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