Carry the Cross, Love the World

Summary

This Sunday missionary service was built around a guest preacher who travels the world literally carrying a wooden cross. From John 3:16 he reminded the church that God so loved the world that He gave His Son, and that God loves the world so much He has also given each believer to it. Because Jesus is alive, those who truly love Him cannot stay silent; love for Christ must overflow so that others believe.

Drawing on Matthew 16, he urged believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus. The cross is not a burden to carry with a frown but with joy, because real joy and power flow from the love of God. He read 1 Corinthians 13 to show that tongues, prophecy, faith to move mountains, and great sacrifice all count for nothing without love, and he told how God's love, flowing through him at an airport, set a hurting stranger free.

The service closed with testimonies and prayer for missions and for Ukraine. Through the story of Andrew bringing his brother to Jesus, and a sister who simply obeyed the Holy Spirit, the church was called to find its own road of personal witness - to be good Samaritans who do not pass by, but who tell the world about the Saviour.

Key Points

• God so loved the world that He gave His Son, and He still loves it enough to send you into it (John 3:16).
• When you truly love Jesus, His love overflows and people believe through your witness.
• Following Christ means denying yourself, taking up your cross, and carrying it with joy, not under a frown.
• Without love, even tongues, prophecy, mountain-moving faith, and great sacrifice amount to nothing (1 Corinthians 13).
• To gain the whole world and lose your soul profits nothing; the meaning of life is to love God (Matthew 16:25-26).
• Salvation is a gift through the blood of Jesus - today is the day to give Him your whole life, not a cheap decision.
• Mission begins at your own feet: like Andrew and like an obedient sister, find your road and tell someone about Christ.