1. He gave up His position as God.

2. He gave up His power as God.

3. He gave up His person as God.

4. He became fully human, completely dependent as an infant, obedient to God, and willingly surrendered His life as a criminal!

“The only time in all the gospels that Jesus Christ prays to God and doesn’t call him Father is on the cross, when he says, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ Jesus lost his relationship with the Father so that we could have a relationship with God as father. Jesus was forgotten so that we could be remembered forever - from everlasting to everlasting. Jesus Christ bore all the eternal punishment that our sins deserve. That is the cost of prayer. Jesus paid the price so God could be our father.” - Tim Keller

1. A sacrifice for sin had to be paid.

2. A substitutionary sacrifice had to be paid for me.

3. His sacrifice brought me into a new family and a new life.

4. His sacrifice was given all because of love!

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

Jesus called to the crowd…

1. You can no longer follow the crowd and still follow Jesus.

2. You can no longer follow your own desires and still follow Jesus.

3. You can no longer hold onto the world and still follow Jesus.

4. You can no longer hold onto your own life and still follow Jesus!

What do you possess that is of greatest value?

What do you have that is eternal?

What are you willing to trade for your soul?

Your wealth…

Your reputation…

Your accomplishments…

Your position…

The opinion of others…

What would it be?

A Cross Walk -A Six-Week Journey with the Cross

March 12: Take Up the Cross

March 19: The Cost of the Cross

March 26: Stay Near the Cross

April 2: The Power of the Cross

April 9: Freedom Through the Cross

April 16: After the Cross - 3 Days Later