2. Luke 14:25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. NIV

3. 1. Devaluing what you value,
Family
Mother and Father
Wife and Children
Brothers and Sisters
One’s own life
Plans
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.

4. 2. The Reality of a future Cross
The Cross was to come
The Cross was familiar
The Cross was a constant horror
The Cross was real
Not imaginary

5. 3. The Making of the Cross
John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. NIV
Eons before the Crucifixion, the seeds of the cross were planted

6. 3. The Making of the Cross Jesus was hung on a cross of his own making
He created the tree that made the wood

7. 4. Carrying your cross What is YOUR cross?
What have you created that weighs you down?
What have you created that straps you
What have you created that is suffocating you?

8. 5. The Wonder of the Cross
Our sin separated us from having a loving, unhindered relationship with God
Jesus died for our sins (the sin of all)
Jesus’ death on the cross sets Him apart
He was without sin
He was the son of God (he didn’t deserve it)
He bore our sins ( we did deserve it)
He deserves to be loved above all

9. So What? Do you love me? Do You love me? Do YOU love me?
What is YOUR cross made up of?
What sins are you strapped to?
What have you been set free of?
Make a list
Remember who you were
Consider who you are today
Envision who you want to be
Let Jesus have your sin; stop clinging to it