Thursday, September 1, 2011

“THE CROSS” REV. SAMUEL AYE-BOAFO ( MATT 16: 21-28) 28/08/11


Jesus realized that the disciples were convinced he was the messiah, hence saw it necessary to law down conditions in following him.
What is your cross?
The scripture talks about three things, take up your cross, deny yourself and follow me. The most important of all is to take up your cross. The cross is the central message of the Christian faith. The cross is not:
i.                     A wooden structure/metal chain you hang around.
ii.                   Having a health problem, sickness and financial problems.
The cross symbolically is suffering, pain, rejection and death faced in our quest to serve the living God and the voluntary participation in the suffering of Christ or sacrifice.(Rom 12:1) the cross is the way.
Deny yourself in order to face death. It is not refusing to eat, following other things but saying no to self and yes to Christ. In Gal 2:20 apostle Paul said “I am crucified and Christ lives in me”. 
Follow me: the Christian life is not a casual relationship. If you think of yourself you would lose your life but you surrender to Christ you would gain life to the end.
Allow Christ no matter the cost, follow me always. Your life is a day to day affair no matter where you are. If you want to share in Christ’s glory we must be prepared to suffer. “No cross, no crown.’ Jesus wore a crown of thorn before a crown of glory. (Acts 14:32)
Our prayer is that we share in the glory  when he comes the second time, that he strengthens us to the call of Christian life.

No comments:

Post a Comment