IF YOU WANT TO WEAR A CROWN,  YOU MUST  TAKE UP THE CROSS

There's no way to bypass this.   

GOAL: To show beyond any doubt that the CROSS is still the way to all victories and success.

SOMETIMES WE TRY TO AVOID THE CROSS...OR GET OFF OF IT TOO SOON.

          ... to tell our side of the story

           ...to take revenge

           ....or because we're just impatient.

Matthew 10:38 "And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me (cling steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in experiencing death is not worthy of Me."

Jesus had His Cross---you have yours, and you should know what that is.

TAKE UP ---seize the cross---and don't let it go till it's time to. For each triumph you will experience a cross. You can't have one without the other.

THE CROSS---exposure to death, self-denial.

 We are dead...to the carnal nature, to sin, to our own 'wants'... rights...to offense. A dead person can't react. A corpse can't respond to attack.

FOLLOW---literally  'to be in the same way', to accompany.

WORTHY---deserving, comparable, due reward.

(In Matthew 8:34, the whole city wanted Jesus to leave. Why?)

THE CROSS OF A LEADER

for each leader, there was an original Word given by God. As we grow in our Lord, there is a new revelation of that Word.

Jeremiah 1:4-9, 17-19 (Amplified)

"Then the word of the Lord came to me (Jeremiah) saying, Before I formed you in the womb, I knew and approved of you (as my chosen instrument), and before you were born, I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; and I appointed you as a prophet to the nations..." vs 6 "then said I, Ah Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak for I am only a youth. But the LORD said to me, Say not I am only a youth: for you shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak."

There are NO excuses because we are known, approved, chosen, 'anointed', consecrated, a 'prophet'---ready now.

If you could do it by yourself it wouldn't be supernatural.

vs.9 "Then the Lord put forth His Hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My Words in your mouth."

 You have to speak HIS Words, not YOUR words.

 SPEAK--declare, subdue, destroy (in the power of His Word). Life and Death are in the power of the tongue. 

vs. 8 "Be not afraid of them (their faces), for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord."

If you're moved by their expressions---their faces---you'll never follow the Spirit. Don't let anyone intimidate you. YOU MUST BE FEAR-LESS and FAITH-FULL!

vs.17 "but you (Jeremiah) gird up your loins! Arise and tell them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed and bowed down at the sight of their faces, lest I confound you before them and permit you to be overcome."

Know the Truth and take a stand for it. Gird yourself up spiritually.

vs.10 'see I have this day appointed you to the oversight of nations and of kingdoms, to root out, and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."

You must take responsibility and lead nations and kingdoms. Do this by understanding spiritual warfare and discernment.

You must always be building and planting.

To build means  to 'obtain children'. Not just give birth but train up children.

To plant means 'to fix, to strike-in'. Don't just think about doing it---plant it.

People will not always approve of everything you do. You may just be breaking 'new ground' and others may not be ready.

vs. 18 "For behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar and bronze walls against the whole land---against the (successive) kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priest, and against the people for the land (giving you divine strength which no hostile power can overcome).

You are a fortified city...defensed, a stronghold for people to camp around.

People feel safe when they are near you.

An iron pillar...platform, foundation that's  a cutting edge.

You cut away anything that's not of God.

Bronze walls---wall of protection (gap stopper).

vs. 19 "And they shall fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you."

TO LEADERS WHO STAY ON THE CROSS "FULL TERM"...

They (your enemies) will not prevail against you.

God is with you.

He will deliver you.

John 12:32 "And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth (on the cross) will draw and attract all men (Gentiles as well as Jews) to myself.

The JESUS EXAMPLE...if you'll take up your cross, it (the cross) will exalt you and attract (influence) all mankind to Jesus--and you.

BUT IT IS NOT THE CROSS FOREVER. THE CROSS ALWAYS LEADS TO A CROWN!

Hebrews 11:6 "For He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him"  (to rule and reign with Me, you must suffer with Me)

Romans 6:6-8  The Cross destroys the power of sin and brings ultimate freedom.

Faith is the only language recognized by God. The Just (righteous)  will live by Faith....and know the Victory!

------Bishop W. Duane Swilley