Bearing the Cross
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27
Bearing one’s cross means something quite different from bearing the ordinary burdens and troubles of life. These are common to all men, but the privilege of taking up and carrying the cross is the unique responsibility and privilege only of Christians, for it identifies them in a distinctive way with Christ.
The cross speaks of death by crucifixion, not just troubles, and not even any other type of death—only the death of the cross. There are at least five other references in the gospels challenging each true Christian to take up his cross and, like Christ, carry it to the place of execution (Matthew 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34; 10:21; Luke 9:23).
That is, the Christian is to be willing, like his Lord, to give his life, if need be, for the sake of the salvation of the lost. This is not a one-time act of dedication but a daily walk. “If any man will come after me,” Jesus said, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
There have been many Christian martyrs, of course, who have actually been slain—some even crucified—for the sake of Christ and the gospel. For most, however, bearing the cross means dying to self and one’s personal desires in order to live unreservedly for the Lord and His mission.
The apostle Paul expressed it perfectly when he said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Therefore, we should be able to say with Paul, “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” (Galatians 2:20; 6:14).
– Dr. Henry M. Morris
The Lord's Day Services
Sunday, April 2, 2017:
10:00a.m. Sunday School – Dr. Frank McClelland
11:00a.m. Morning Service – Rev. Myron Mooney – Trinity FPC
6:00p.m. Pre-service Prayer
6:30p.m. Evening Service – Rev. Myron Mooney – Trinity FPC
Weekly Announcements
Wednesday, April 5th
7:25p.m. Prayer Meeting & Bible Study
Thursday, April 6th
7:30p.m. Youth Fellowship
Friday, April 7th
7:00p.m. Good News Bible Club
Advance Announcements
Sunday, April 9th
10:00a.m. Sunday School
11:00a.m. Morning Service – Dr. Frank McClelland
6:00p.m. Pre-service Prayer
6:30p.m. Evening Service – Dr. Larry Saunders
Wednesday, April 12th
7:25p.m. Special Passover Demonstration by Miss Patricia Mills, followed by a Prayer Time.
Thursday, April 13th
6:oop.m. Session Meeting
6:30p.m. Session and Board Meeting
FPCNA Current Magazine
Please visit www.fpcurrent.com for the latest complete magazine and easy access to all the articles for downloading or sharing with friends.
Port Hope FPC Easter Bible Conference
Rev. Colin Mercer – Faith FPC, Greenville, SC
Good Friday, April 14th at 3:30p.m. & 7:00p.m.
Supper will be provided between services on Friday.
Saturday, April 15th, at 7:00p.m.
All are welcome to attend.