1. Matt 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26 2011 Congregational Theme: Daily Disciples: Obedience

2.  The soldiers “found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His [Jesus’] cross”.  “Compelled”: to press into service; force, coerce, constrain.

3.  Simon was “coming out of the country [into the city] & passing by”.

4.  The soldiers “laid hold” of Simon “and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus”.

5.  Simon became a disciple, along with sons Alexander & Rufus (Mark 15:21).  The beginning of a long-line of cross bearers (Heb 13:10-14).

6.  Jesus was scourged, stripped, mocked & given a heavy cross to bear (Isa 53:3-5).

7.  Simon was “compelled” by the soldiers to help Jesus.  Compelled doesn’t always imply against one’s will (Luke 14:16-24).

8.  Jesus was carrying out God’s plan (John 10:17-18; Luke 9:22, 44).  Simon was part of the plan.  We, who are in Christ, are too!

9.  Luke 9:23 – If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, & take up his cross daily, & follow Me.  Matt 10:38 – He who does not take his cross & follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  Luke 14:27, 33 – Whoever does not bear his cross & come after Me cannot be My disciple.

10.  Heb 5:8-9 – though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (cf. Acts 3:22-23).  “My yoke is easy and My burden light” (Matt 11:29-30).

11.  THE CROSS OF OBEDIENCE:  An unexpected DUTY  An unforeseen BURDEN  An unanticipated REPROACH  We may transfer our burden to Him; We are yoked to Him (1 Pet 5:7; Matt 11:29-30).

12.  Rev 22:17 – And the Spirit & the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.  Matt 11:28 – Come to Me, all you who labor & are heavy laden, & I will give you rest.

13.  1 Pet 2:24 – Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.  Rom 4:25 – Who was delivered for our offences, &…raised again for our justification

14.  Rom 5:6, 8-9 – For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly…But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. M UCH MORE THEN, HAVING NOW BEEN JUSTIFIED BY H IS BLOOD, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH H IM.

15. Leave the State of Sin: Believe: John 8:24 Repent: Acts 17:30 Confess: Rom 10:9-10 Baptism: 1 Pet 3:21 In Christ In Sin Obey Him Obey Him 1 Peter 1:14 1 Peter 1:14 1 John 1:7 1 John 1:7 Christian Christian Forgiveness Forgiveness of sin Rom 8:1 “there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” Rom 8:1 “there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…”