INTRO: We look at the cross and all we see is wood, nails, splinters, etc. There is more to the cross than that. It contains so very much more that can be ours for the searching. We need to look to the cross more that we might be aware of it’s very nature when it comes to our needs that it meets.

1. Examples we find around the cross
1. Self-denial - Mk. 8:34
2. Complete commitment - Lu. 9:23; 14:27
3. Personal acceptance of duty - Lu. 23:26
4. Personal experience of sacrifice made - Jn. 19:25
5. Personal experience of shame He bore - Jn. 19:31
2. Assistance we have available because of the Cross
1. Power of God - 1 Cor. 1:18
2. Glory - Gal. 6:14
3. Reconciliation - Eph. 2:16
4. Obedience - Phil. 2:8
5. Removal of pronouncement of death - Col. 2:14
6. Endurance of shame - Heb. 12:2-3

(Mark 8:34 KJV) And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

(Luke 9:23 KJV) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

(Luke 14:27 KJV) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

(Luke 23:26 KJV) And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

(John 19:25 KJV) Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

(John 19:31 KJV) The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Assistance we have available because of the Cross

(1 Cor 1:18 KJV) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

(Gal 6:14 KJV) But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

(Eph 2:16 KJV) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

(Phil 2:8 KJV) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

(Col 2:14 KJV) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

(Heb 12:2 KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Heb 12:3 KJV) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Gary Marcum - East 38th Street Free Will Baptist 052498am