DIVIDED Acknowledging Christ and take up your cross

Jesus said “I will acknowledge to God everyone who acknowledges me to other people. But if they deny me to other people, I will deny them when I stand before God.”

LK 12:8-9, MK 8:38, MT 10:32-33, LK 9:26

“Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life because of following me and my teachings will find it.”

LK 14:26, MK 8:35, MT 10:39, LK 9:24, MT 16:25, LK 17:33, JN 12:25

“You can only be my disciple if you deny your desires, bear your own cross, and follow me.”

LK 14:27, MK 8:34, MT 10:38, LK 9:23, MT 16:24

“How does it benefit you if you have all the possessions in the world but you lose your life? What can you exchange to get your life back?”

MK 8:36-37, LK 9:26, MT 16:26

Gospel causes division

“You assume that I have come to bring peace on earth, and you are mistaken. I’ve come to bring a sword, cutting old family ties. I’ve come to turn sons against fathers, daughters against mothers, daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law. Your worst enemies will be members of your household. Anyone who loves their family more than me cannot be my disciple.”

MT 10:34-37, LK 14:25-26

Some will not die.

“However, I tell you, there are some people standing here who won’t die before they see the kingdom of God.”

MK 9:1, LK 9:27, MT 16:28