The Cross We Bear

Part 1: Who Gets the Final Word?

**Series Text:** Mark 8:27–34

**Key Verse:** Mark 8:34

Following Jesus means surrendering the right to rule our own lives and allowing Christ to have the final word.

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1. See the Savior Clearly

**You cannot understand the call to the cross until you understand the identity and mission of Jesus.**

Peter correctly confessed Jesus as **the Christ**, but he struggled to accept the kind of Messiah Jesus came to be.

* Jesus is not merely a teacher, prophet, or example.

* He is the **Christ — the Messiah and Lord**.

* The cross was not an accident or Plan B.

* Jesus willingly embraced the Father’s redemptive purpose.

**Key Thought:**

It is possible to recognize Jesus’ identity while resisting Jesus’ authority.

**Question:**

Who do I say Jesus is — and does my life agree with my answer?

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2. Surrender Self-Rule Completely

Jesus said, **“Let him deny himself.”**

Self-denial does **not** mean self-hatred or believing that human life has no worth.

Self-denial means rejecting the claim that:

* I belong only to myself.

* My desires get the final vote.

* My feelings determine what is right.

* My happiness is the highest good.

* My plans are ultimately mine.

**Key Thought:**

The problem is not that self exists.

**The problem is that self wants to be god.**

The temptation of Genesis 3 is still with us: the desire to determine good and evil apart from God.

**The Question:**

### Who gets the final word?

My feelings?

My desires?

My culture?

My plans?

Or Christ?

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3. Shoulder the Cross Courageously

Jesus did not stop with, **“Deny yourself.”**

He continued: **“Take up your cross.”**

Cross-bearing is not:

* Seeking pain

* Earning salvation

* Calling every inconvenience “my cross”

* Believing suffering itself makes us holy

**Cross-bearing becomes visible when obedience to Christ costs us something we would rather keep.**

It may cost:

* Approval

* An opportunity

* A relationship

* Pride

* Comfort

* Control

**Key Thought:**

Self-denial asks, **“Who is in charge?”**

Cross-bearing asks, **“Will I still obey when obedience costs me something?”**

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4. Stay With the Savior Continually

Luke 9:23 adds one important word:

Daily.

Following Jesus is not a one-time decision of surrender.

Yesterday’s obedience does not remove today’s decision.

Jesus does not say:

**“Deny yourself, take up your cross, and suffer.”**

He says:

“Follow Me.”

**The destination is not suffering.

The destination is Jesus.**

Galatians 2:20 reminds us that the Christian life is no longer governed by independent self-rule. Christ becomes the source and governing center of our lives.

**Key Thought:**

The gospel does not destroy the self.

**It ends the self’s claim to sovereignty.**

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Personal Reflection

Where am I still trying to have the final word?

[ ] My relationships

[ ] My future

[ ] My anger

[ ] My ambition

[ ] My finances

[ ] My desires

[ ] My reputation

[ ] My plans

[ ] My forgiveness of others

[ ] Another area: __________________________

This Week’s Question

**Who has the wheel?**

Am I asking Jesus to follow my plans, or am I following Him?

Prayer

**Lord Jesus, You are Savior and Lord. Show me where I am still holding onto control. Give me grace to deny self-rule, take up my cross, and follow You faithfully. Let Your character become increasingly visible in my life. Amen.**

Remember

**Deny yourself.

Take up your cross.

Follow Him.**

**The cross is not merely a symbol of faith.

It becomes the shape of faithfulness.**