Introduction: Are we willing to deny ourselves so that the resurrection power of Jesus Christ will shine thru? Then, and only then, will we be able to OVERCOME the world, the flesh and the devil! Jesus was willing to deny himself and become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

( Phil 2:8-10)

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Yet, because of His SELF-DENIAL, we can have LIFE ETERNAL!

1. What is the CROSS principle? (Luke 9:23)

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”

2. How does the CROSS Principle work? (Gal 2:20; Rom 8:13; Gal 5:16-24)

“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.”

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have  crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

Conclusion: Understanding and appropriating the CROSS principle is vital to every CHRISTian. Without RESURRECTION Power available, the believer would stay defeated because of the deeds of the flesh.

But thank God for Jesus not only becoming obedient into death, but also triumphing over the grave, thereby giving His followers Holy Spirit empowerment and ultimate victory!