“Following Jesus, Bearing One’s Own Cross”

Christian Believer, Our Creator, Saviour, and Lord hath ordained a personal cross for each of us Christian Believers to bear. Have you ever given any thought at all, to that important facet of a Christian’s life on earth? Well, please give apt attention to it now, as Missionary Richard Yerby in Japan preaches his sermon; “Following Jesus, Bearing One’s Own Cross”.

“Must Jesus bear the cross alone, And all the world go free?

No, there’s a cross for everyone, And there’s a cross for me.”

In my previous sermon, I read in Mark Chapter 8, Verse 34, Jesus admonishing His disciples thus wise: “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

When He calls upon us Christian believers to take up our cross and follow Him, do keep in mind that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, as He promises us in Matthew Chapter 11, Verse 30. My fellow Christian Believer, the cross that your Saviour has ordained for you personally to bear, is far much lighter than any other undertaking that you will endeavor, in opposition to total obedience to following Jesus Christ wholly, which will include bearing your personal cross.

Not only is bearing one’s own Christ-ordained cross, The Lightest burden that any person can possibly bear thru out his or her ever-so-brief earthly journey to their eternal abode, but also, bearing that cross brings the greatest Fulfillment and the Deepest, Richest Joy that any person can possibly experience during their life on earth.

“How happy are the saints above, Who once went sorrowing here; But now they taste unmingled love, And joy without a tear.”

My Christian Friend, tho, presently, there is pain, misery, and much sorrow mingled with God’s Love and Joy that comes to me as I bear my personal cross following my Saviour on my earthly journey straight to The Judgment Seat of Christ and into Heaven, I find that no pleasure in this sinful world could possibly come close to matching Jesus’ Close Presence, and His Love and Joy that constantly overflows from my heart, as I gladly bear my cross for Christ, Who, in my stead, drank the bitter dregs of the cup of the eternal death sentence that was upon me.

Sinful Rebel, you cannot escape the reality of SIN. And no matter how intensely desirous you are to ignore the definite, inevitable Bible Truth stated in the book of James Chapter 1, Verse 15, “…and sin, when it is finished, it bringeth forth death”; right now, look around you at the many pitiful, miserable souls addicted to various vices. Observing them honestly with no bias, your eyes can readily see those vices destroying the minds and bodies of the users, bringing on early death.

Truly, “but the way of the transgressors is hard” as your Creator God and soon-coming Judge solemnly warns you in Proverbs Chapter 13, Verse 15. Now the first part of that verse states that; “Good understanding giveth favor”. By all means, right now, please pray the following to your Creator God.

Abba Father in Heaven, my Creator God, please save me from the foolishness of living the hard life of a rebellious transgressor against Thee, soon to reap the wages of eternal Hell fire that will come upon me if I die in my sinful lost and undone state. Please give me good, clear understanding of my present state in Thy Divine Eyesight. Also please teach me convincingly that God The Son, the God-man Jesus Christ loved me with the greatest LOVE that exists, in that He took my sin punishment of DEATH in my place, on the cross, and that if I will repent to God and trust in God the Saviour Jesus Christ to save me from going to Hell, that Thou wilt graciously save me. Amen!

It thrills my heart beyond description to daily bear my cross here in Japan, standing out in public, preaching the Saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, lifting high God’s Saviour for all mankind in front of the populous race of Japanese Buddhist and Shintoist idol worshippers, lost and undone in deep spiritual darkness, and gross misery of soul, with suicides increasing, especially among teenage Japanese. Please intercede with me for their salvation.

“The consecrated cross I’ll bear, Till death shall set me free.

And then go home, my crown to wear, For there’s a crown for me.”

About 9 PM on a chilly October night in 1980, my phone rang in my house in Matsuida, Japan. I answered it to hear a young Japanese lady sobbing, heaving deep sobs.

“Help me. I need help. I want to come to your house to talk to you.”

I knew nothing about her until now, but steadily learn bits and pieces about her. She lives with her 5-year-old daughter in an old, cheap, row house, town housing project about two-thirds of a mile from my house. Talking to me tonight and once more later on, she never speaks of her daughter’s father. This evening, she had invited 3 or so friends her age to her tiny apartment in an attempt to have some fun together. Drinking liquor together was the main “fun event”, she, trying to drown her sorrows.

But instead, as the alcohol took effect on her, she broke down sobbing over her troubles, drowning out the party spirit, instead of drowning her troubles. Her young adult friends felt bad about the situation, and knowing nothing else to do suggested that she call the missionary. She insisted on coming to my house, and drove that two-thirds of a mile as a drunken driver.

Truly the way of the transgressors is hard, and ever so miserable. Please read the remainder of her story in my Missionary Story 1980 3. It is on my web site; Christ-is-all.us. Separate those 3 words with 2 dashes.

“Upon the crys-tal pave-ment, down At Jesus’ pierced feet, Joy-ful I’ll cast my gold-en crown, And His dear Name re-peat.”

Hebrews Chapter 12, Verse 2: 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.

Our Father Who art in Heaven, we present-day, shy, timid, cowardly, lukewarm Laodicean Christians, ever so readily shrink back from the shame of bearing our personal cross in front of the eyes of this exceedingly sinful end-time human race. Please instill within each of us, a full knowledge of the glorious, heavenly Joy that is soon to follow, if only we will now faithfully bear our cross for Thee. Amen!

1. “Take up thy cross and follow Me, I heard my Master say; I gave My life to ransom thee, Surrender your all today.

2. He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know,

And in that will I now abide, Wher-ev-er He leads I’ll go.

(Chorus) Wher-ev-er He leads I’ll go, Wher-ev-er He leads I’ll go, I’ll follow my Christ Who loves me so, Wher-ev-er He leads I’ll go.

3. It may be through the shadows dim, Or o’er the storm-y sea, I’ll take my cross and follow Him, Wher-ev-er He lead-eth me.

4. My heart, my life, my all I bring To Christ Who loves me so; He is my Master, Lord, and King, Wher-ev-er He leads I’ll go.

(Chorus) Wher-ev-er He leads I’ll go, Wher-ev-er He leads I’ll go, I’ll follow my Christ Who loves me so, Wher-ev-er He leads I’ll go.”

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