Find Your Bearing

by Pastor Bob Rasmussen

• Pastor Jeff shared a message, part 1, of how people take things out of context compared to the actual word in the Bible. I don’t know if he will get to what I am going to talk about, so I am just going to preach what is on my heart.
• Prayer
• Sometimes I look at this walk of faith in my life, and sometimes I have to laugh at myself at some of the things I did not understand. I think we have all been there. Maybe we read something or heard something, and we were like yeah, that is a great idea. That’s part of the walk amen?
• Getting familiar with God’s Word, letting the Holy Spirit work in us and reveal what He wants us to see, amen? Getting that word not just in our mind, but into our hearts.
• One of my favorite examples is not me, but one that Pastor Jeff shared. It was a sow a seed message that he was responding too, and if I recall correctly it took most of his money that he had at that time, and that seed? Well, it never happened, I guess. But we can be excited about Jesus and sometimes we miss the mark, amen? I’m not gonna lie, I thought about doing it myself.
• It can be that way with the Word of God, especially in the beginning. You have this passion and desire and I was just out there absorbing things, reading what others wrote, reading the Bible. But I did get some stuff wrong.
• I would like to share what one of them was this morning.
• KJV Mathhew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
• CROSS I literally had this image of carrying a cross.
• I did not know how that would really apply in my life. But the image was that it was this awkward thing. That it was a heavy thing.
• That it would be hard to get through doors!
• That it was something that would continually weigh me down.
• That it obviously, would be uncomfortable.
• And I could not even conceive how I would live my life bearing this cross, all the time.
• How would I carry this through all the experiences of my life.
• Set it down
• I know, kind of naïve, right?
• But I love that when we get it wrong, through perseverance, through study, through hearing the word preached, and most importantly with the help of the Holy Spirit, more is revealed.
• AMP John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [c]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.
• I love that. I love that Jesus knew that someone like me, would absolutely need a helper – – He has His hands full with me, yet, He loves me. Thank You Lord
• I love that He continues to reveal Himself to us throughout our whole life, amen? And when I get something wrong, He doesn’t abandon us where we are at.
• Like Peter who became afraid on the water, Jesus did not just let him sink and be done with him. I see a lot of me in Peter, not that I am an Apostle, rather that I am human, and sometimes I get it wrong
  • Peter failed on the water
  • Peter did not understand a parable in Matthew 15
  • Peter fell asleep in Gethsemane when he was supposed to watch and pray
  • Peter denied Jesus
  • He was not perfect by any means, just like you and me
• Yet, Jesus showed Peter love, He showed him grace, He showed him mercy, and thank the Lord, he showed him patience. And this is good because as we all know, people are messy!
• Back to that carry your cross thing
• There are a lot of people who will use that phrase in a way I now know to be false.
• Maybe they have a job that is really hard, and boring, but they do it to provide for their family, and they will refer to it and say, well, my job, that is my cross to carry.
• Perhaps there is a loved one that has an illness or disease, and they have to provide a lot of care for that person, they might say, well, that is my cross to carry.
• Someone might say, I don’t want to take out loans for going to college, but it’s the cross that I have to carry to further my education.
• The freedictionary.com defines a difficult responsibility or burden that someone must handle on their own.
• Now, that is not what Jesus was talking about at all, was it?
• This life is going to have it’s challenges, struggles, pain, sorrows that we all have to go through. Jesus said as much
• KJV John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
• I like the amplified a little better.
• AMP John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.
• So with all that being said, what was Jesus talking about when He said what He said?
• I know for some that this may not be new, but I think it is a good reminder of what our Lord and Savior is saying to us, and for those that may be newer in the faith, so they don’t build a cross to drag around like I did this morning, amen?
• Context is always important in the bible, and sometimes when we read things we need to put our thinking caps on. Let’s look a few verses earlier
• Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
• There’s Peter again, not winning again!
• 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
• When Jesus refers to the cross, it is not the fashionable cross that many wear on their neck, it is not shrouded in mystery, and it is not a cross like the one we have here.
• The cross that Jesus is referring to is a brutal instrument of death, served up with pain and humiliation, and guaranteed death. The cross during the time of Jesus was reserved for the very worst criminals, and the Romans were not just good at it, they were great at it.
• Jesus did not say take up a heavy sack, or take up a suitcase, or take up a shovel. He said take up his cross to communicate the seriousness of what it requires to be a follower of Jesus.
• The people of that time, many of them believed that Jesus was there to be their king on earth, to free them from the Romans. They did not have a clear understanding that His death, burial, and resurrection would be what really frees them and all of us.
• The stories of Jesus healing people, of feeding the 5000 – that is the part that they liked, that is the part they wanted to continue.
• All this talk about death, the cross, sacrifice – they didn’t want any that part, not at all.
• That part about denying oneself kind of goes against what some churches preach and teach. Some may believe that the call of Jesus is for health, wealth, and prosperity. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing with any of those things
• But the message of Jesus in serving Him, is that none of that matters. Dying to ourselves and our own desires and replacing them with the desires of God is what He is asking us for.
• What Jesus is saying is that there is really nothing in this life that is worth keeping. Not a job, not family, not the friends that we have, and especially who we were before Christ. And although the path of discipleship may be tough, the eternal reward is worth whatever we must go through.
• Jesus did not just say this one time, you can find it in Luke 9:23, Mark 8:34, Matthew 16:24, Matthew 10:38 and here in Mark 8:
• KJV Mark 8:34 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. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
• There is a pattern here and when Jesus says something once, we should listen, but when he says things repeatedly, we need to really pay attention!
• I want to look at one more scripture, one that I struggled with in the past, because honestly, it seemed like Jesus was a little mean. It almost seemed like He was a little heartless – again, our life in the faith is a journey.
• Luke 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
• I think the main thing Jesus is saying here is that following Him will not be all biscuits and gravy. That following Jesus we may to not have all the comforts that we want.
• Folks, we are in a spiritual war with darkness. Jesus has the victory but there are still battles to be fought. It is a very real battle.
• When I enlisted in the Army, I met with a recruiter. They know all the right things to say. He was all like boot camp is not that bad. AIT is not that bad. I can tell you it was not fun.
• He said you want to go to California, yeah, I can help you with that. Not a problem. What he didn’t tell me was that I would join a Cohort Light Infantry unit that would be training for weeks in the desert of Arizona and taking 21 day “camping trips” up and down the mountains of California including 25 mile road marches. Oh, and by the way, we’re going to ship you out to enforce a treaty between Israel and Egypt for 6 months.
• If I would have known all that, I’m pretty sure I might have rethought my signing up. I am grateful for the experiences, but going forward with my eyes wide open may have changed my heart and the recruiter might have lost a recruit. The recruiter would not have met his quota.
• Jesus is not like that, He wants us to know, with full disclosure that it will not be an easy path, that there will be sacrifice and that things may be uncomfortable. And that you could very well lose your life.
• 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
• Like I said, early in the faith, I was like, what was that Jesus? Really? Ouch.
• Now we do not know if the person’s dad was dead or not, I would think if their father had just died, they would not have been there in the first place. Maybe their dad was sick and they wanted to be there at the end, we just do not know.
• What I do think he is saying is that we all must be careful of our priorities if we are going to follow Jesus. That Jesus is more important than our spouse, Jesus is more important our children, our 2^nd and 3^rd cousins. He should always be the highest priority in our life.
• He’s not saying that our families are not important, or that we shouldn’t take care of them. Not in the least.
•  AMP 1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone fails to provide for his own, and especially for those of his own family, he has denied the faith [by disregarding its precepts] and is worse than an unbeliever [who fulfills his obligation in these matters].
• I think Jesus just wants to make sure we know where our priorities lie, amen? We are to honor our mothers and fathers and to care for our families, amen? But He is our highest priority.
• KJV Luke 9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
• The but is a stipulation. But Jesus, I just want to go back. But Jesus, can it wait a little longer. As I fumbled around in my faith, I thought I missed some parts of my old life, old relationships. I was like I’ll follow this Jesus guy, but I am going to go back to my old life for a minute. As you can guess, that never went very well. And it took me more times than I care to admit to knock it off. But to move forward in the Lord, we have to let go of some of those old relationships, those old habits, and the old ways, amen.
• AMP Ephesians 4:22 that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, 23 and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], 24 and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image
• And it is as if Jesus sees that the person’s heart is divided. He says something that is pretty direct, he says don’t look back. Kind of like Lot’s wife. Lot and his family are fleeing Sodom and for whatever reason, his wife looks back, and she is turned into a pillar of salt. So maybe that is a warning for us as well to cut the ties with the old life. To close the door and not try to leave it open in case things do not work out, amen?
• So what are we to do, what is the message for us today.
• Well, I think that the cross that I carry is way different from the one I originally pictured in my mind. There are times that it may seem as difficult, as cumbersome, and as heavy but the truth is it is not. Here is more what I think it is
  • Seek Holiness
    • We are not to conform to this world. Living in holiness is what the world needs today
    • KJV Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
  • Servant
    • Serving God and serving others should be one of the things that I do.  That is following God’s will.
    • Service is not just the big things, we can all serve with small acts of thoughtfulness or doing the necessary things without complaining.
    • KJV Matthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
  • Time
    • This one can be difficult, but I need to give God more time. We all have busy lives.
    • Take a little more time to pray.
    • Take a little more time to read.
    • Take a little more time to meditate.
    • Take a little more time to listen
    • Sometimes I am so busy telling God stuff, I just need to shut up and wait on Him
    • KJV Psalm 27:4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
  • Wait
    • This is not my favorite
    • God’s timing is not our timing
    • He is God, I am not
    • I must learn to trust him
    • But there is a promise in waiting
    • KJV Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
  • Obey
    • Obedience is so important, and it may mean different things to different people.
    • Jeff Janesville
    • Mike and Jeff and their wives
    • Here we are
    • KJV Deutoronomy 27:10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
  • Love God
    • This one only needs a verse
    • KJV Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
  • Forgiveness
    • Another one of my favorites!
    • This is one of the hardest ones for me, but dying to self, denying my old nature, my sinful nature, makes room in my heart to love and forgive like Jesus does.
    • I must remember that He forgave me first, amen?
    • AMP Collosians 3:13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.
  • There are many more, we do not have time to go over what they all are. I cannot tell you what you need to do, He can. By prayer, reading, mediation, when we bear His cross, that is where we will find our bearing in this life as we navigate our race.
  • Last point, the cross that I had in my mind is way different now that I know a little more of God’s Word and His will.
  • Our walk with Jesus is our spiritual worship or our reasonable service. We have the help of the holy Spirit to help mold our lives into His Image, thereby making the yoke of Jesus and His burden light. Living our life in faith makes it a much lighter yoke and an easier burden to carry.
  • KJV Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
  • L I F T  P A P E R  C R O S S
  • Worship team
  • Acts 2:38
  • KJV Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.