| “THE CROSS BEFORE THE CROWN ” {#5 }
The Right Word © with Brother Scott : scott@portervillepost.com
These previous four parts have been about dying to all within yourself that is of the old nature, which should be considered the same as a rotting body of flesh still clinging to your back († Romans 7:24 ).
Listen : and I were before coming to Christ our Redeemer.
That which precedes the cross is the crown of thorns, which in our discussions these weeks, is the suffering that comes upon our minds and hearts through various situations.
Such suffering is the pain or distress or weakness of our sinning (or should be ), [suffering also comes by ] a hurtful loss, a serious setback, or something very unpleasant that all these things cause by their pains but are now to always and evermore point us to walk a little closer at the side of Jesus Christ after having lifted up our cross as a chaperone against the sinful flesh.
We hate to suffer about anything for any length of time. But suffering has a purpose for the ones purchased and called out of the hard slavery of damning sin.
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† 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. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
At the end of this segment, I will briefly share examples from my personal walk with the Lord Jesus setting praise unto God against the suffering that comes up. This practice has become part of the spiritual fabric of my born-again life and it is a tried, proven and now regular part of my life as a follower of Jesus.
My personal declarations can give you hardcore examples of what I have been taught to do by the Holy Spirit, knowing that you, too, imitating what I do, will find help and comfort in times of suffering, as well as victory over your old, worthless, and God-defiant behaviors when a spirit of suffering captures your mind and heart.
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† Ephesians 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. . .[the renewed mind recognizes suffering for what it is and knows how to tame the bad for the good that is possible ].
† Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
† Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. . . 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. . .
And so I make a bold statement regarding today’s message and that is from what I shared with you last week and what I put forth today, I ask you and urge you to follow me in these spiritual practices when you face suffering.
Yes, we are commanded to follow Jesus always and ultimately, the Lord and His Word, yet there are examples in His Word about noting a godly man that has something important to share by experience about our following Jesus—and to follow his example.
I have encouraged you along these lines over the last couple years:
I have encouraged you along these lines over the last couple years: “If you are having trouble trusting God, if you are not strong enough to have faith in God and trust in His Word for yourself, then line up closely in fellowship, friendship and with hearing ears behind a man or woman that does and follow them as they follow Jesus!”
In time, those that do this will see first-hand that their influencer’s faith is warranted and yours can be just as powerful and stalwart if you will but give yourself wholly over to faith in God no matter what.
[To be spiritually] Stalwart: showing great spiritual authority and miraculous power ) by the grace of God.
I just suggested that if you find it hard to follow Jesus and the Word (and He is our Shepherd, my fellow sheep ), then follow and imitate those that are following Him and have strong faith and full confidence in a daily life in Christ in the most difficult of tribulations and trials. Not sure this is biblical(? )—it is!
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† 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers (imitators do what I do ]) of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
† Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together (co-imitators, fellow votary bound by commitment, faithful to follow, marked by enthusiasm ]) of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample [but this warning also —]. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
† 2 Thessalonians 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow (imitate * ) us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample (a model or pattern for imitation ]) unto you to follow * us.
Peter commands this of the elders that he writes to : † 1 Peter 5:1-3 ]
† Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
I have been a faithful student under the Holy Spirit and of the Word of God (—most of the time!11 years being the most grueling but instructive for me to experience, yet they’ve been the most profitable for me, which makes them of great benefit for you, too.
(I hope you can receive the understanding of that remark! ) I dislike suffering of any kind very much but coming to know that I am called to it for good and not for evil, I decided to learn how I am to respond to it in ways that help me through it and benefit from it.
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† Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who [and what things ] can be against us?
† Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
† 1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it . 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry [idols: our comforts that steal spiritual time, vain possessions that keep us occupied, convenient distractions to divert our attention away from God ].
† Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. . .
† Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things [including great suffering ] through Christ which strengtheneth me.
† 2 Corinthians 12:7 . . . there was given to me [Paul ] a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak (feeble, impotent, sick ; from strengthless :
In closing this part 5, let me share a few examples of what I have learned about how to respond to mental, emotional and physical suffering, and also to bad days, disagreements, feeling ill or suffering disease, becoming discouraged, or any other human experience that range from something I do not like to things completely overwhelming in some way that are deeply disturbing.
As I have already disclosed to you, Heaven’s prescription for all these things is to resort to God in exaltation and praise* * used 304 times in the Bible ).
The purpose is to divert my pain of suffering unto the Lord for His comfort and help to cope with the issues of life. When things crop up and become like a crown of thorns upon my mind and heart, I do not hesitate to look away from the intended hurt of suffering and employ the Bible’s tiny word “yet”.
I say, I pray out loud things like these *
* yet I praise You for Who You are.
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† Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
*
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† Psalm 71:14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. 15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof . 16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD. . .
*
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† Psalm 57:6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.
† Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
*
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† Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. . . 7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. 8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever. . .
† Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving [for what He has done for me, blessed me with, and even allowed me to keep ].
*
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† Psalm 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
† Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison. . . 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
* healing, favor, etc. ) and I am greatly concerned but you are my God and I praise You no matter the anxiety of my soul.
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† Psalm 63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
*
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† Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
† Psalm 118:28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
We have covered several areas in these five weeks that I must yet summarize and tie together in your minds and hearts next we meet.
I hope that you will leave today understanding these messages :
For Heaven’s crown for the overcomer there must come the suffering of the crown of thorns and of the cross in this life to purify and strengthen us.
Our suffering has value and purpose, and for the follower of Jesus, we must meet our suffering head-on with sincere praise of our great God and His Savior Jesus Christ—it will make a difference in your mind and heart as once you learn to instinctively turn your thoughts to Him in praise and to His Word in faith.
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† Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any [reason to ] praise [and there is always reason for praise! ], think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
~ Brother Scott ... With ... The Right Word © ... For Today~
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E stab. Jan 2008
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| “THE CROSS BEFORE THE CROWN” {#5}
