How to Face the Cross Appointed by God

 

How to Face the Cross Appointed by God

Matt 26:39 "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."

Matt 26:42 "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done."

Matt 16:24 "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me."

Eph 4:2-3 "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Eph 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her."

Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."

Phil 3:10 "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death."

John 17:21 "That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us."

 

Aspect	Content	Description	Examples/Application	Related Scripture
Role Model	Jesus Christ	• Completely willing, not forced • To fulfill God's wil • Obedient in extreme suffering • Could choose not to bear it, but willing to	• Could call twelve legions of angels but didn't • Prayer in Gethsemane • Willing to die to produce the church	• Matt 26:53-54 "Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?"
Correct Attitude	1. Initiative 2. Recognition 3. Attitude 4. Goal	• Willingly take up, not forced • View as God's will and ordination • Accept with joy • To fulfill God's will	• Not complaining • Not viewing self as victim • Not blaming circumstances or others • Accepting with joyful heart	• Mark 8:34 "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me." • Luke 9:23 "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me."
Marriage Application	Dealing with Difficult Spouse	• Accept as God's arrangement • View as portion from God • Take as God's ordination	• Don't say "crucified by spouse" • Don't face with criminal mentality • Willingly accept spouse	• 1 Pet 3:7 "You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way... and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life."
Church Life Application	Fellowship with All Saints	• Accept all believers • Put aside personal preferences • Maintain testimony of oneness	• Don't choose fellowship based on preferences • No divisions • Build together with all brothers and sisters	• 1 Cor 1:10 "Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment."
Practical Implementation	1. Prayer Practice 2. Life Testimony	• Follow Christ's example • Ask for willing heart • Seek to understand God's will	• Acknowledge God's sovereignty in all circumstances • Continuously renew understanding of the cross • Maintain stable attitude	• Phil 2:5-8 "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who... emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant... humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Expected Results	1. Personal Life 2. Corporate Testimony	• Enjoy richness of life • Experience God's presence • Build testimony of oneness	• Blessed marriage life • Strong church life • Express reality of Christ's Body	• John 12:24 "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

 

This table provides a comprehensive overview of:

1.      The biblical model of cross-bearing

2.      Practical applications in daily life

3.      Expected outcomes in both personal and corporate aspects

4.      Relevant scriptural support

 

*Please refer to the International Training for Elders and Responsible Ones - October 2024

General Subject: Living in the Reality of the Kingdom of God

Week 4: The Exercise of the Kingdom for the Building Up of the Church