Free to Carry the Cross

River Church Sermons

Let Freedom Ring

Pt. 11: Free To Carry the Cross

By Louie Marsh, 8-4-2024

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The Nigerian Voice: A husband walks home from church after a confession he made to the priest about his wife. He reaches home, calls out his wife and carries her in his arms. The woman is surprised and asks: Wife: Honey, did the priest tell u to be so romantic like this.Husband: No, he said I should come home and carry my cross.

Quotes:

“It is to the Cross that the Christian is challenged to follow his Master: no path of redemption can make a detour around it.” ― Hans Urs von Balthasar,

Paul’s Proof - “11See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!” (Galatians 6:11, BSB)

Paul closes Galatians by focusing on the CROSS

“12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ…“14But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:12, 14, BSB)

Carrying Jesus’ Cross

1) Sets me free from…

• MINDLESS religious conformity.

12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Galatians 6:12 (ESV)

• A HOLLOW FAITH

“13For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.” (Galatians 6:13, BSB)

• Cultural CAPTIVITY

“14But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14, BSB)

For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Galatians 6:14 (MSG)

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,…14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it. 2 Timothy 3:10, 14 (ESV)

2) Sets me free to…

• FOCUS on the eternal things of God.

“15For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation. 16Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:15–16, BSB)

• PAY the price of following Jesus

17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. Galatians 6:17 (ESV)

• LIVE by grace.

“17From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” (Galatians 6:17, BSB)

“3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Galatians 1:3, BSB)

3) How do I carry my cross?

• UNDERSTAND what Jesus has done for me.

“13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” (Galatians 3:13–14, BSB)

• GIVE MY LIFE to Jesus as Leader & Forgiver.

Then Jesus said to the disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT)