Podcasts about take up your cross

Sunday Sermon 31st May 2026Following Jesus is not just about believing in Him, but surrendering fully to His assignment. In this message, we are reminded that discipleship requires laying down distractions, denying selfish desires, taking up our cross, and choosing God's will over comfort, security, and personal ambition.Through the example of Jesus, Abraham, and those who either obeyed or missed God's specific call, this sermon challenges us to ask the crucial question: “Lord, what do You want me to do?” True joy, provision, and purpose are found not in chasing our own plans, but in following the One who chose us.Stay connected!Website: https://www.harvestnowchurch.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarvestNowChurchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestnowchurch_/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@harvestnowchurchTwitter: https://twitter.com/harvest_now_Sermon Audio: Harvest Now Church (Spotify, Apple Music etc.)Podcast: Harvest Now Conversations (Spotify, Apple Music etc.)

During this message, we explored Jesus’ in Matthew chapter 16 on discipleship. Jesus suffered… mostly silently and aware of others. This weekend, Pastor Mark Pope guided us through these two important points as we continued our The Hard Truth series. This week be challenged to adjust your response to suffering.

Episode 154 of 2 Minute Disciple Season 5 examines one of Jesus' most challenging teachings in Matthew 10:34–39. At first glance, His words seem startling: “I came not to bring peace, but a sword.” Yet Jesus is revealing a profound truth about the nature of discipleship. Following Christ is not merely a private belief or a spiritual hobby. It reshapes our loyalties, priorities, relationships, and identity. Sometimes, choosing faithfulness to Jesus creates tension with the expectations of others—even those closest to us. In this contemplative Christian podcast episode, Nick guides listeners through a peaceful rhythm of slowing down, reading Scripture, noticing, meditating, responding in prayer, and practicing a daily spiritual habit. Together, we reflect on Jesus' call to take up our cross, release our grip on lesser things, and trust that true life is found not in self-preservation but in surrender. This episode is for anyone wrestling with obedience, sacrifice, difficult choices, competing loyalties, or the challenge of placing Jesus first. It is a reminder that while following Christ may cost us something, He is worth infinitely more than anything we could lose.

A podcast by Trinity Fellowship. Join us every week Monday through Thursday for The Biblecast! On The Biblecast we take a deeper dive into God's word. We also love to pray for each other. If you would like to submit a prayer you can do so at Biblecast@tfc.org from wherever you are listening! So I want to encourage you - be ready to grab your hot coffee, grab your hot tea, and let's dive in together to God's Word.

What does it look like to take up your cross and follow Jesus? Find out as Brett Andrews shares.Share your stories, prayer requests, or your response to this devotional in the comments below.If you would like to know more about New Life, who we are, what we believe, or when we meet, visit http://newlife.church. Or you can fill out a digital connection card at http://newlife.church/connect - we would love to get to know you better!

What does it look like to take up your cross and follow Jesus? Find out as Brett Andrews shares.Share your stories, prayer requests, or your response to this devotional in the comments below.If you would like to know more about New Life, who we are, what we believe, or when we meet, visit http://newlife.church. Or you can fill out a digital connection card at http://newlife.church/connect - we would love to get to know you better!

Sunday & Wednesday weekly teaching.

Sunday & Wednesday weekly teaching.

Take Up Your CrossTeaching & Prayer with Overseer Azizah MorrisonContinuing the May focus, Anchored, this prayer gathering shifts into a deeply practical and spiritual teaching on Jesus' instruction: “Take up your cross daily.”Drawing from Luke 9:23, Hebrews 12:1–2, and Galatians 6:9, Overseer Azizah Morrison teaches that the cross is not only about suffering—it is also about responsibility, discipline, surrender, and daily consistency. This lesson explores the tension many believers experience between calling and resistance, desire and follow-through, purpose and personal struggle.With honesty and spiritual depth, the teaching addresses the daily realities of distraction, mental exhaustion, inconsistency, and internal battles, reminding listeners that maturity is often formed through steady obedience rather than emotional moments.The accompanying prayer asks God for strength to carry well, grace for consistency, renewed focus, emotional steadiness, and endurance for believers navigating both spiritual and practical struggles.This is a call to stop fighting the cross God has assigned and to follow Him faithfully—daily, steadily, and anchored in His strength.

In this week's episode, we will discuss how to keep taking up your cross and obeying God even when it gets hard. We will discuss the example Jesus left for us of cross-bearing, how we can take up ours, and 3 tips to help you keep bearing your own. Scripture discussed this week: Matthew 16:24-27, Philippians 2:8, Galatians 2:20, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Corinthians 15:58, and Galatians 6:7-10.Personal Instagram:

Would you die for your faith?It's a question most Christians avoid—but one Jesus never softened.In this episode of Truth Behind the Mike, Mike Stone challenges believers to confront the real cost of following Jesus.We live in a culture where faith is often comfortable—but what happens when it isn't?What happens when following Christ costs you your reputation… your relationships… your career… or even your life?Using both Scripture and real-world examples, this episode explores:* The difference between cultural Christianity and true discipleship* Where modern believers tend to “draw the line”* Why Jesus called us to take up our cross—not just believe* How recent events are forcing people to rethink what faith really meansThis isn't about fear.It's not about politics.It's about one question:Is your faith real… if it only exists when it's safe?⸻If this challenged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.Subscribe to Truth Behind the Mike for more bold, biblical conversations that encourage, challenge, and point you to Jesus.#Faith #Christianity #Jesus #Discipleship #Truth #Bible #ChristianYouTube #FaithInAction #followjesus TIME-STAMPED CHAPTER LIST:00:00 — Would You Die for Your Faith? (The Question We Avoid)00:29 — Comfortable Christianity vs. Real Discipleship01:03 — “Take Up Your Cross” Isn't Symbolic01:37 — When Faith Becomes Dangerous (Recent Events)02:04 — Faith, Culture, and Consequences Colliding02:39 — Following Jesus Is No Longer Neutral02:55 — Is This Real Persecution… or Just the Beginning?03:34 — Why Most Christians Aren't Prepared04:05 — Let's Bring This Closer to Home04:30 — Where Do You Draw the Line?05:04 — The Disciples Paid the Ultimate Price05:40 — Are You Ready When It Costs You?06:17 — You Might Not Die… But You Will Be Tested06:42 — The Quiet Moments That Reveal Your Faith06:56 — This Isn't About Strength—It's About Surrender07:33 — What Are You Holding Back from God?08:01 — Where Have You Already Compromised?08:29 — A Prayer for Bold, Unshakable Faith10:13 — The Columbine Story That Still Challenges Us10:44 — If Your Faith Is Only Safe… Is It Real?Send us Fan MailSupport the showWatch these podcasts on YouTube!Follow Us!YouTube: @behindthemikepodcastInstagram: @behindthemikepodcastTikTok:  @behind_the_mike_podcastFacebook:  @behindthemikepodcast

April 27th, 2026

Following Jesus will cost you—but it leads to real life.In this message, Jesus gives one of His clearest and most challenging calls: deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Him. This isn't a call to casual belief or comfortable Christianity—it's a call to surrender.To take up your cross means letting go of control, laying down your desires, and choosing Jesus over yourself—again and again, every day. It's not about losing your life for no reason, but about finding true life in Him.Jesus makes it clear: you can spend your life trying to protect yourself and still lose what matters most. But when you surrender your life to Him, you don't lose—you gain everything that truly lasts.The question is not just whether you believe in Jesus—but whether you are willing to follow Him at any cost.

Austin Miller | Matthew 16:21-28

Don’t be fooled thinking you are trading in for less. Don’t think following Jesus will be a joyless, unfulfilling life. Hard, yes – flesh, world, devil. But eternally rewarding! RESPONSE TIME If you will die to self and live for Christ, it will heal your marriage. It will heal your home. It will heal your soul. It will give you a new sense of joy, peace, contentment, and purpose. Prayer: “I’m letting go of my life, my independence, my stubbornness and pride. I give you Lordship in my life now. Lead me and I will follow no matter what it costs me because I trust you way is better than mine.”

Don’t be fooled thinking you are trading in for less. Don’t think following Jesus will be a joyless, unfulfilling life. Hard, yes – flesh, world, devil. But eternally rewarding! RESPONSE TIME If you will die to self and live for Christ, it will heal your marriage. It will heal your home. It will heal your soul. It will give you a new sense of joy, peace, contentment, and purpose. Prayer: “I’m letting go of my life, my independence, my stubbornness and pride. I give you Lordship in my life now. Lead me and I will follow no matter what it costs me because I trust you way is better than mine.”

“If you want to be my follower, you must give up your own way.” That line from Luke 9 is simple to quote and hard to live, so I slow down and ask what it looks like in real life, not just in church talk. When Jesus says to take up your cross daily, he is not offering a vibe. He is calling for a visible, costly kind of Christian discipleship that reshapes our priorities, our courage, and the way we measure success.From there I move into 1 Peter 3:1–7 and talk about Christian marriage, character, and honor in the home. I keep coming back to one idea: people believe what they can see. A gentle and peaceful spirit is not weakness, and leadership is not performance. Whether you're a husband, a wife, a parent, or just someone trying to live with integrity, the question is the same: does your life back up your words?We also read larger portions of Luke 9 and Psalm 72, tying faith to public life, justice, and the responsibility leaders have to defend the vulnerable. I bring up recent and historic stories that I believe should challenge how we think about protection, accountability, and what we tolerate from those in power. We end by honoring sacrifice through a Medal of Honor profile and reflecting on early American faith through a passage from Henry Knox's will.If this helped you think more clearly and live more faithfully, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.#HenryKnox#FoundingFathers#ChristianNation Support the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribeCountryside Book Serieshttps://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2 

The empty cross is the symbol of our victory in Christ. Our sins are put to death. We are forgiven. We gain the promise of eternal life. That’s the Easter Message.But what about life after Easter? The cross doesn’t become unimportant after the resurrection. It becomes central to our identity and our daily Christian living. […]

By Ernest Grier - If we truly want to be regarded as Christ's disciple in His eyes, then we must follow His instructions to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.

God is calling us away from our old selfish life, literally to die to self, when Christ calls us to take up our cross and follow Him! What does that look like for you? Share. Make it a great day in the Love & Lordship of Christ (Luke 9:23)!

The question is, are you ready to do that? I think we all should be saying yes, because if we all say, Look, I can't do it yet. I'll wait until I'm ready, we'll never actually be ready. But let's kick things off with an introduction. So in Matthew 1624, Jesus told his disciples, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. Now let's begin what Jesus didn't mean in that verse. https://get.theapp.co/yjjqTo donate please visit us at:https://loveisrael.org/donate/Checks may be sent to:LoveIsrael.org

The question is, are you ready to do that? I think we all should be saying yes, because if we all say, Look, I can't do it yet. I'll wait until I'm ready, we'll never actually be ready. But let's kick things off with an introduction. So in Matthew 1624, Jesus told his disciples, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. Now let's begin what Jesus didn't mean in that verse. https://get.theapp.co/yjjqTo donate please visit us at:https://loveisrael.org/donate/Checks may be sent to:LoveIsrael.org

(Mar 29, 2026)

Pastor Wayne Van Gelderen shares biblical truth that will bring hope and comfort in these uncertain days. May we draw closer to God through this time and impact those around us for eternity. https://fallsbaptist.org https://baptistcollege.org https://www.theegeneration.org https://ontovictorypress.com If you'd like to support this ministry - https://fallsbaptist.org/give/

Brother Luke Harriman shared these thoughts on what the Lord Jesus meant when He told His followers to take up their cross daily and follow Him. While we certainly do not bear the cross in the same way as our Lord, we are nevertheless called to follow Him in suffering, and to “bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).

Message by Pastor Josh Heltonhbcmolino.com

What does it really mean to advance the Kingdom of God? In this message from Matthew 16, Pastor Woody challenges us to stop seeing life only from a human perspective and begin seeing it from a spiritual one. Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. That means surrendering our plans, our pride, and sometimes even our comfort so that God's Kingdom can move forward through our lives. In this sermon you'll discover: • Why your values determine the direction of your life • The difference between advancing your kingdom and advancing God's Kingdom • The spiritual authority Jesus has given believers • Why seeing life from only a human perspective is dangerous • What you may need to give up to follow Jesus fully If we want to see lives transformed, disciples made, and the gospel spread, it begins with surrender. The question is simple: What is God asking you to give up so His Kingdom can advance through you?

Pastor Sam       Luke 9:18-27

Following Jesus requires three essential components: denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Him. Denying yourself means yielding to God's control and saying no to your own desires. Taking up your cross involves willingly enduring shame and suffering for Christ's sake, publicly displaying your allegiance to Him. Following Jesus means living as He lived with humility, compassion, and grace. This daily decision to die to self is challenging but necessary for true discipleship. The choice is between temporary worldly gains and eternal significance. With God's Spirit empowering us, we can do hard things and discover a life of purpose and meaning rather than mere existence.

Following Jesus requires a massive shift in our allegiance as we rely on His grace to put off living for ourselves and to put on living for Him every day.

Following Jesus requires a massive shift in our allegiance as we rely on His grace to put off living for ourselves and to put on living for Him every day.

Following Jesus requires a massive shift in our allegiance as we rely on His grace to put off living for ourselves and to put on living for Him every day.

Pastor Scott and Jeremy try a new game and find ways to fire people up, with a dash of Soul Care!

Follow along with Pastor Bob Beckler here

This week we begin our Lent sermon series, "Deny Yourself: The cost of following Jesus." In it, we're looking at what it means to say "No" to the disordered desires in our lives so we can say "Yes" to the transforming work God wants to do in our lives. This sermon looks at the invitation Jesus offers to "Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him," and how the invitation is really an invitation to resurrection life.Scripture: Luke 9:18-27

What does real commitment to Jesus look like in everyday life? In this message from Gospel of Luke 9:23–26, Jesus Christ moves His followers from curiosity to surrender. His call is simple to say but lifelong to live: deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. This sermon explores how discipleship requires more than admiration or occasional consultation. Jesus does not come to be our assistant; He comes to be Lord. Each day we choose whether we will cling to control or release it, whether we will preserve our version of life or trust His. You'll be encouraged to consider: why following Jesus begins with surrender what it practically means to “deny yourself” how cross-bearing is a daily decision the danger of holding too tightly to comfort, success, or image the hope of walking step-by-step with Christ and not carrying the burden alone God is not asking for perfection. He asks for continual commitment. Whether you are exploring faith or have walked with Jesus for years, this message will help you renew the decision to follow Him today.

For the last few weeks, we have been in our series The Way of Jesus. Throughout this series, we've explored what it truly means to be a disciple—a follower of Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells us that we are “truly His disciples if we hold to His teachings,” and together we have been examining what those teachings are. What does it mean to develop a life that follows after Him? What rhythms and practices must I put in place to help me become a better disciple to my Savior? This episode, as we close out our series, Pastor Lydia Miller takes us back to the very beginning. Because often, when we lean into disciplines, practices, and rhythms of the Christian life, it can be easy to fall back into the idea that these disciplines and practices contribute something to the salvation we receive from our Father. This week, we are going to study the final phrase of the scripture we have looked at each week: "... and the truth will set you free." Together, we will discover how we lean into the true freedom we have in the sacrifice of Jesus and the grace of God.--WebsiteFacebookInstagramSunday SetlistSunnybrook App (ios)Sunnybrook App (Google)Connect with us!How can we prayer for you? Let us know.

Message: Mark Christian, Senior MinisterPassage: Luke 9:23-26Series: Following Jesus

Coast Bible Church, PastorTom Bennett, San Juan Capistrano, CA, www.coastbible.org

Coast Bible Church, PastorTom Bennett, San Juan Capistrano, CA, www.coastbible.org

Listen to Take Up Your Cross with Jason Beardsley from Sunday Evening, December 7, 2025.Love is our Why. Join Us Online at 10/11 AM on Sundays and 7:30 PM on Wednesdays. To give online, visit wayoflife.church/give or text the word GIVE to 817-382-3270, click the link, and follow the prompts. If you need prayer, visit wayoflife.church/connect so we can pray for you.

In the 2nd sermon on the terms of discipleship, Brother Luke looks at Jesus’ instruction that we are to take up our cross. The cross that Jesus carried was a symbol of many things, including being a picture of the burdens that evil men place on us for being servants of the Most High God. …

Michael Blue serves as Director of Discipleship and former President of the Ron Blue Institute, and his life reflects a steady journey of learning to trust God with open hands. Raised in a home shaped by biblical financial stewardship, Michael developed strong habits around money early on. Yet it was in his thirties, amid professional success and financial security, that God exposed a deeper restlessness. What appeared stable on the surface revealed an inner hollowness, leading Michael and his family into a season of prayer, surrender, and renewed reflection on what faithful obedience truly means. In his current role, Michael focuses on forming biblical and practical financial wisdom in the next generation, particularly among high school and college students. He has also helped pioneer the 9:23 Fellowship, a discipleship journey that invites believers to take up their cross daily and follow Jesus in every area of life, including how they steward money, grow in community, and trust God's provision. Michael's calling is to help believers align their finances with wholehearted discipleship, viewing stewardship as worship and generosity as freedom rooted in trust. This episode creates space to rethink money, faith, and obedience in ways that feel both convicting and hopeful.   Major Topics Include: Learning to live openhandedly Thinking through savings as a giver Relying on God for provision Engaging younger generations through the Ron Blue Institute Helping the Church recognize and overcome greed and covetousness  Four H's of biblical stewardship for college students The difference between “bread” and “seed” Flourishing together in community Learning to be a good receiver Stretching your faith through steps of generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Giving ought to be joyful and saving ought to be purposeful, but if it's just rote obedience, you can lose the heart behind it.” “God delights in inviting us to participate in His story.” “Stewardship is managing our money for the glory of God.” “Our capacity to meet people in their time of need all comes down to our margin of time and money.” “Whenever we feel like God gives us more, more often than not, it's seed for sowing.” “The most generous people are the least fearful people I know. They're not wracked with anxiety about providing for them in the future.” “We were made to flourish together in community.” “We're all created to be both givers and receivers, so a healthy church is one where I can both give and receive.” “The thing that drives us to a life of continued generosity is hungering after who God is, what he's done in our lives, and how we can grow nearer to HIm.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Ron Blue Institute (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns International Justice Mission (IJM) Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 2 Corinthians 8-9 | The Macedonian Church   Matthew 6:33 | Seek First the Kingdom   But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.   Luke 9:23 | Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Fr. Mike discusses our call to deny ourselves and take up our cross, specifically focusing on God's call to renounce all that is ours and trust in him. He also highlights the story of Mary and Martha and encourages us not to allow the cares of life to choke the life of God out of our lives as Martha allowed her troubles and anxieties to do. Today's readings are from Luke 9-10 and Proverbs 26:4-6. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.