The Cross - Matthew 16:21-25 - June 7, 2020

Matthew 16:17-18 Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I. Jesus was __________ to not go to the cross.

Colossians 2:14-15 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.


II. Jesus calls us to ________ our cross.

Matthew 16:24-25 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

The Things of ________ The Things of _____
_____ according to the flesh Live according to the ______
Set their _____ on the flesh Set their ______ on the Spirit
_____ for himself ______ himself take up his cross
Worldly Godly
Death Life

Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.


Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Activities this week:
Memorize Matthew 16:24-25
Read Mark 15
Meditate on 1 Kings 12:7; Psalm 22; Galatians 2:20
Identify one area of your life that you've not yet submitted to the lordship of Jesus. Then identify the first steps to release this area over to God's control.