What Does It Mean To Live A Christian Life

had for his life because of his Father, but he had to love God supremely and follow him. The song “Brethren, We Have Met To Worship” says appropriately in the last verse, “Let us love our God supremely; let us love each other too!”
Illustrate: Job’s wife tried to get him to curse God and die!
Illustrate: Amnon’s friend and cousin Jonadab talked him into rebelling against all that is right in deceiving and defiling his own sister!
PEOPLE CAN KEEP YOU FROM LIVING A CRUCIFIED LIFE IF YOU DO NOT LOVE GOD SUPREMELY!
C. Pride: The cross is not always a popular thing. Serving God is not always a popular activity. The believer should expect some opposition to his witness. The believer must be willing to accept the criticism of the lost with a sense of humility. I Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” The word foolishness is the Greek word “moria (mo-ree’-ah)” and is equated with silliness or absurdity. This world considers Christians to be weird. True followers of Christ are often viewed with disgust and contempt. Don’t be surprised. The cross is an emblem of suffering and shame to those who bear it.
II. A Consecrated Life: To live a Christian life means that you must deny yourself and take up your cross. You will not only need to live a crucified life, you will also need to live a consecrated life. Your cross is God’s will for your life. It is your cross (“his”). No one else can bear your cross for you. You are to “take up” your cross… you are to bear it alone. The cross is a burden. It is one that must be borne. It represents three things to the Christian:
A. A Place of Sacrifice: Romans 12:1-2. Many believers live far beneath the level of spiritual success that God intends for them because they take far too lightly the seriousness of their personal commitment to Christ and their witness for him. Serving God faithfully and effectively requires that a price be paid. Are you willing to pay the price? “I’d rather walk with my Jesus alone, and have for my pillow like Jacob a stone. Living each moment with his face in my view… I started with Jesus, and I’m going through!” A ministry that costs nothing will accomplish nothing! A person who seeks to be used in a powerful way needs to have a powerful commitment! Sometimes it is small things… in fact, it is usually small things that undermine our commitment to the will of God in our lives!
B. Place of Substitution: The cross is where our substitute, Jesus Christ, died in our place. When we bear our cross, just as Jesus died for others, we must live for others. THE CHRISTIAN’S CROSS IS WHERE DEATH TAKES HOLD THAT THE LIFE OF CHRIST MAY BE MANIFESTED TO THE WORLD! Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Those who choose to live a Christian life must not live for any self-glory. They do not seek immediate gratification. They are more interested in the hereafter than the here and now! Eternity holds their reward!
C. Place of Shame: Hebrews 12:1-2.
1. Christ Endured the Cross- if we are to bear the cross, we must also endure some things. There will be some difficulties. But he endured the cross because of the joy the