“The issue to present to a lost world: The Cross of
Jesus Christ.” Gary Turner
“The test of our spiritual life is our understanding of the
cross.” Oswald Chambers
“We cannot be saved by consecration, or by praying, or by
giving ourselves up to God. We can only be saved by the cross of Jesus Christ.” Oswald Chambers
“What we have to do as God’s servants is to lift up Christ
crucified.” Oswald Chambers
“The cross of Christ is not the cross of a martyr, but the
door whereby God keeps open house for the universe. Anyone can go in that door.” Oswald Chambers
Note on Galatians 5:11 “’The stumbling block of the cross,’
that a man can be saved only by faith is an offense to his pride.” Charles
Ryrie (The Ryrie Study Bible)
“Don’t cloud the issue with doctrines of the Christian Way
of Life (when witnessing).” Gary Turner
“Discipleship does not save.” Zane Hodges, Absolutely Free
“Keep the issue of the gospel separate and distinct from the
process of spiritual education.” Zane
Hodges, Absolutely Free
“Salvation is absolutely free. Discipleship most certainly is
not.” Zane Hodges, Absolutely Free.”
Applicable Scripture: Matthew 10:38, 16:24, 27:32,40,42 Mark 8:34, 10:21, 15:21,30,32 Luke 9:23, 14:27, 23;26 John 19:17-19,25,31 I Corinthians 1:17-18, Galatians 5:11,
6:12,14 Ephesians 2:16 Philippians 2:8, 3:18 Colossians 1:20, 2:14 Hebrews 12:2
Luke 9:18-20 “multitudes
say:” Jesus is a fiery preacher, a
miracle worker, a great prophet risen from the dead. “disciples (Peter) say:” Jesus is the Christ
(Messiah) of God. The Anointed One. The Savior.
Luke 9:22 Job description
of the Christ of God: He will 1.)
suffer many things 2.) be rejected by: a) elders b) chief priests c)
scribes 3.) be killed 4.) be raised up
at a precise time
Luke 9:23 Evidence of discipleship (category I love—toward
Jesus Christ)
1.
Deny self (self: me. My intelligence. My abilities.
My reason. My emotion. My fear. MY WORKS!)
Self says: I am worthy. I can achieve. I
can maintain. I am superior, or inferior (either way, the emphasis is self.) I
have rights/needs. I cannot receive blessing unless I deserve blessing. I have
something to prove.
Religion says: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name
perform many miracles?’ Matthew 7:22. Even Judas did (Matthew 10:1-8).
2.
Take up the cross (daily!) Cross = finished work of Jesus Christ. Our
cross is our total identification with His finished work. Not an individual,
physical or emotional burden.
Cross says: worthy is The Lamb. Only He has
achieved. He will help me. Flesh is weak. I have freely received, I freely
give. Only by God’s grace, through Jesus’ blood, can I be accepted.
The cross demonstrates the finished work
of the Only Savior. We have nothing to prove. We must only stand in
His finished work!
Faith = salvation now and forever
Love = daily commitment to the Truth of
Christ
Our message to the world: It is not what we
have done, or can do, or must do that saves us. It is what Jesus Christ has
already done. It is all about the Cross. Believe it or perish.
“It is finished!”
