Shalam, it is very important that we examine ourselves as we walk in the way of Christ. We must be doers of the word and not hearers only. And if we are to follow Christ of is our Lord and savior then we must pick up our cross and follow after him, but by picking up our cross we must know and understand that we are going to have to go through tribulation affliction persecution all because we choose to pick up our cross and follow after Christ. But know ye this by doing so you are partaking in Christ suffering. As the scripture has told us:
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Take up your Cross
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Deny - To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disown; disavow; repudiate:
Precepts to Matthew 16:24:
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
(If any man will come after Christ the Messiah must deny himself and take up his cross and follow in the example of Christ.)
Deny - To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disown; disavow; repudiate:
Precepts to Matthew 16:24:
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
(If any man will come after Christ the Messiah must deny himself and take up his cross and follow in the example of Christ.)
What will happen when you take up your Cross for the Messiah?
Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Revile - To use abusive or scornful language against (someone or something).
Persecute - To pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religion, race, or beliefs; harass persistently.
(Men will revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you for Christ sake and for carrying your cross.)
Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
Reproach - To find fault with (a person, group, ect.); blame; censure.
(People will hate you, and shall seperate your from their company, and shall reproach, and cast our your name as evil. These are the things that the you must go through as you have picked up your cross for Christ sake.)
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Persecution - To pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of race, or beliefs; harass persistently.
Precepts to 2 Timothy 3:12:
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
(Those who will pick up their cross will suffer persecution for Christ sake.)
1 Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Reproach - To find fault with (a person, group, etc.); blame; censure.
(Paul said think not that it is strange when the fiery trail try you, meaning when you are tempted and shall suffer tribulation for the Messiah sake for taking up your cross, but he said rejoice because we are partakers in Christ suffering. Those who truely walking or tryig to walk in accordance with the scripture we face persurcution and tribulation.)
James 1:1-4 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing
Temptations - 1. The fact or state of being tempted, especially to evil.
Tempted - To entice or allure to do something often regarded as unwise, wrong, or immoral.
(Those who have picked up their cross for the Messiah sake will fall into divers temptations, but we must know that this is the trying of our faith.)
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Tribulation - 1. Grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.
2. An instance of this; an affliction, trouble, etc.
(Those who have picked up their cross for the Messiah sake will go through much tribulation to enter into the kingdom of the Most High God.)
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Tribulation - 1. Grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.
2. An instance of this; an affliction, trouble, etc.
(Those who have picked up their cross for Christ sake will have tribulation in this world, but the Messiah tells us to be of good cheer for he has overcome the world, we are to follow his example.)
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Revile - To use abusive or scornful language against (someone or something).
Persecute - To pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religion, race, or beliefs; harass persistently.
(Men will revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you for Christ sake and for carrying your cross.)
Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
Reproach - To find fault with (a person, group, ect.); blame; censure.
(People will hate you, and shall seperate your from their company, and shall reproach, and cast our your name as evil. These are the things that the you must go through as you have picked up your cross for Christ sake.)
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Persecution - To pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of race, or beliefs; harass persistently.
Precepts to 2 Timothy 3:12:
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
(Those who will pick up their cross will suffer persecution for Christ sake.)
1 Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Reproach - To find fault with (a person, group, etc.); blame; censure.
(Paul said think not that it is strange when the fiery trail try you, meaning when you are tempted and shall suffer tribulation for the Messiah sake for taking up your cross, but he said rejoice because we are partakers in Christ suffering. Those who truely walking or tryig to walk in accordance with the scripture we face persurcution and tribulation.)
James 1:1-4 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing
Temptations - 1. The fact or state of being tempted, especially to evil.
Tempted - To entice or allure to do something often regarded as unwise, wrong, or immoral.
(Those who have picked up their cross for the Messiah sake will fall into divers temptations, but we must know that this is the trying of our faith.)
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Tribulation - 1. Grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.
2. An instance of this; an affliction, trouble, etc.
(Those who have picked up their cross for the Messiah sake will go through much tribulation to enter into the kingdom of the Most High God.)
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Tribulation - 1. Grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.
2. An instance of this; an affliction, trouble, etc.
(Those who have picked up their cross for Christ sake will have tribulation in this world, but the Messiah tells us to be of good cheer for he has overcome the world, we are to follow his example.)
How can you endure while taking up my Cross?
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to
stand before the Son of man.
(Those who have picked up their cross for Christ sake be watchful and praying always that they may be accounted worthy to escape all the things that are Matthew chapter 24 and Jacobs troubles that they may be able to stand before the Son of man when he returns.)
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(While carrying your cross for Christ here you can endure all that they go through while fighting this spritual battle. You must put on the whole armour of the Most High which is 1. having their loins girted about with truth 2. bresatplate of righteousness 3. feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace 4. the shield of faith 5. helmet of salvation 6. sword of the spirit 7. praying alwyas 8. watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Ceasing - To stop; discontinue.
Precept to 1 Thessalonians 5:17:
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
(While carrying your cross you must pray without ceasing, meaning always be in prayer.)
Ecclesiasticus 2:1-4 My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.
2 Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble.
3 Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end.
4 Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate.
(Those who have picked up their cross prepare there soul for temptation set your heart aright, and constantly endure, and dont be so quick to run in the time of trouble or when trouble comes your way for carrying your cross for Christ sake. You must cleave unto the Most High God through his Son who is the Messiah and we are not to depart away from him. Whatever that is brought upon us for carrying our cross weather it be affliction, persercution or anything we are to take it cheerfully, because we must remember that we are partakers in Christ suffering and when we are changed to a low estate meaning not having much we are to be patient.)
stand before the Son of man.
(Those who have picked up their cross for Christ sake be watchful and praying always that they may be accounted worthy to escape all the things that are Matthew chapter 24 and Jacobs troubles that they may be able to stand before the Son of man when he returns.)
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(While carrying your cross for Christ here you can endure all that they go through while fighting this spritual battle. You must put on the whole armour of the Most High which is 1. having their loins girted about with truth 2. bresatplate of righteousness 3. feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace 4. the shield of faith 5. helmet of salvation 6. sword of the spirit 7. praying alwyas 8. watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Ceasing - To stop; discontinue.
Precept to 1 Thessalonians 5:17:
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
(While carrying your cross you must pray without ceasing, meaning always be in prayer.)
Ecclesiasticus 2:1-4 My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.
2 Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble.
3 Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end.
4 Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate.
(Those who have picked up their cross prepare there soul for temptation set your heart aright, and constantly endure, and dont be so quick to run in the time of trouble or when trouble comes your way for carrying your cross for Christ sake. You must cleave unto the Most High God through his Son who is the Messiah and we are not to depart away from him. Whatever that is brought upon us for carrying our cross weather it be affliction, persercution or anything we are to take it cheerfully, because we must remember that we are partakers in Christ suffering and when we are changed to a low estate meaning not having much we are to be patient.)
What will happen if you dont take up your Cross?
Matthew 10:37-39 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
(When a man dont pick up his cross he will not be found worthy of Christ thus he or she cann't enter into the Kingdom of the Most High.)
Philippians 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
(Those who will not pick up their cross for Christ sake are enemies of the cross of Christ and all those who have picked up their cross. Thats why the world will hate you and you shall suffer persecution reproach and ect becasue the majority of the world havent or wont pick up their cross for Christ sake. Why you may ask because these people mind earthly things instead of setting their affections on the things that are above (Col 3:1-2). Whose end is destruction. Their final fate must be eternal ruin.)
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
(When a man dont pick up his cross he will not be found worthy of Christ thus he or she cann't enter into the Kingdom of the Most High.)
Philippians 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
(Those who will not pick up their cross for Christ sake are enemies of the cross of Christ and all those who have picked up their cross. Thats why the world will hate you and you shall suffer persecution reproach and ect becasue the majority of the world havent or wont pick up their cross for Christ sake. Why you may ask because these people mind earthly things instead of setting their affections on the things that are above (Col 3:1-2). Whose end is destruction. Their final fate must be eternal ruin.)
Conclusion
The whole conclusion of this study lesson is to show the importants of taking up your cross for the Messiah. Its very important that we pick up our cross and go through the same afflictions persecutions tribulation as Christ went through. We must endure until the end and tust in the Most High God through his Son who is the messiah at all times.
Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord
Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord
