Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves & take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark 8:34-35
"The Cross is not merely our way to life...but our way through life?
That your transformation...your spiritual formation...is formed...by the cross? That it’s not just something for us to look at...but to pick up? To make our own? That this way...Jesus way...is our way through this life?"
Jarrett Stevens
Cruciform Pattern
New Life - A great place to start!
Struggle / Suffering - Life gets hard. Sometimes, very hard.
Death - I have to say no to unhealthy and unrealistic things in my life that are holding me back from a fuller life with God.
Resurrection - Something new, something transformed is born in me which leads me again to New Life
Reflect
Was this message hard or life transforming for you (maybe both)?
What was your main take away from this weeks message?
Where do you struggle most in this idea of a Cruciformed life?
What areas of your life need to be put to death?
Are you willing today to trust God that He is with you in this season of your life?
Remember
"There is no resurrection without crucifixion."
Go Deeper
Take time in prayer in the weeks to come and ask God to help you do the hard work of seeing better those areas of your life that need transformation.