Sermons
May 5th, 2025 by Pastor Solley050425AM Bearing a Cross
Sub. Christians
Theme: Crosses we are called to bear.
Text: Mark 15:21
“Bearing a Cross” Mark 15:21
Introduction
I want to speak to you this morning about bearing a cross. In Mark 15:21 we find one compelled to bear a cross. – Mark 15:21 And this raises some questions. Was Simon chosen to bear that cross by chance? No one identified by name in the Bible has been identified by chance and that includes the other two named in this verse, Alexander and Rufus. Who compelled Simon to bear that cross? Was it the Roman soldiers or was it God or both? What brought Simon to that place? Was he just passing by or did he come there for a purpose? Those are questions that could be asked about Simon being compelled to bear that cross and all can be answered.
I. Jesus had much to say about bearing crosses: Jesus said this in Matt 16:24-25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Jesus said this in Mark 8:34-36 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Jesus said this in Luke 9:23 & 26 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. 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. Jesus had much to say about bearing crosses.
A. If you are born again this morning, if you are a child of God by the new birth, if you have been saved and have your sins washed away by the Lamb of God you will have crosses to bear in this world: That is what Jesus said, those are His words recorded in His Word. According to the Word of God, according to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we will have crosses to bear. That is Bible.
1. But what does it mean to bear a cross? The very words speak of something heavy, of something hard, of something perhaps one would rather be without.
a. This is not speaking of something pretty that ladies wear as jewelry. I am not against that for ladies but that is not what this means. This is not something shinny and pretty, something easy to bear.
b. The words speak of something heavy, of a burden, of something hard to bear.
2. Simon was compelled to bear that cross: Mark 15:21 And Simon was compelled, pressed to do it, by others. – Mark 15:21
B. Much of the time today when we think of bearing a cross we think in the realm of physical needs, or losses of some type or another and that is not wrong: So many are dealing with so many things today all around us as well as within this local body of Christ. But that is but one aspect of bearing a cross and not the foremost one.
II. Beginning with Simon we can see some of what it means to bear a cross for Christ: Mark 15:21
PROP: Every born again child of God is going to have crosses to bear. TS. So it is important for us to know what they may be.
Body
I. We need to begin with some things we know about Simon: Mark 15:21 Simon is called by name in both Matthew and Luke and simply “He” in John. We don’t know much about Simon but we do know something about him.
A. First, Simon was not called to bear the cross of Jesus, he was called to bear a cross for Jesus: Mark 15:21 It was the very cross upon which Jesus would be crucified that Simon bore, but Simon bore it for Jesus, Simon did not take Jesus place. There is only one who could lay down His life a sacrifice for sin, only one Lamb of God, only one who could satisfy the claims of a Holy and Righteous God, only one who could bear the cross that provides salvation for all who will come to Him, that is Jesus.
1. Simon bore that cross for Jesus but Simon did not die upon that cross: No matter what one does in this world that seems to be good, seems to be right, seems to be above the norm of sinful man, it will not be enough to wash away his or her sin. It is only Jesus who can provide the means by which we can have our sins washed away and receive eternal salvation from sin and hell. Only Jesus.
2. Simon carried that cross, why not nail Simon to that cross? Because Simon would have died just like the other two that day. The two on either side of Jesus had no power over sin and the grave and Simon had no power over sin and the grave.
3. Only Jesus could proclaim “It is finished” pronouncing salvations work done and come out of the grave three days later a living Savior: Only Jesus Christ could bear that cross and that is why He is the very Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.
4. No matter what crosses we are called to bear in this world, and some of them will be quite heavy, they will never begin to approach the cross Jesus bore on Calvary: We will be called to bear a cross for Jesus, but not bear His cross for none of us are able.
-2-
B. Second, Simon was a believer, was a born again, was a Christian: Simon was not picked out by chance. The Bible tells us in
Matt 27:32 that they found Simon. In other words they looked for Simon, or looked for one like Simon. Why? Because Simon was not in Jerusalem by chance having traveled there for the Passover.
1. He was most likely born again having at some time heard the preaching and teaching of Jesus: That was not the first time Jesus was in Jerusalem preaching.
2. Simon, like others who placed faith and trust was along the road leading to Calvary: Not part of the mob, part of those grieving.
3. His son is then named by Paul as one in the Lord: Rom 16:13 Only one Rufus in the Bible.
4. Simon was a born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ:
C. About Simon we know he bore a cross for Jesus and that he was a saved or born again individual:
II. Simon then was compelled to bear a cross by the unsaved: Mark 15:21They refers to the soldiers, to the lost. No matter what account you look at the they refers to the lost. They identified Simon as a Christian, as a follower of Jesus, as a believer and now they are going to put that to the test.
A. Was Simon willing to be identified with Jesus Christ as Jesus was about to be crucified? Mark 15:21 That is, at least in part, what is going on here. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah of Israel, the Son of God, the savior of the world, Simon believed Jesus.
1. Now Simon, how willing are you to be identified with Jesus Christ about to be crucified? Are you willing to walk behind bearing the cross, are you willing to walk beside all the way to Calvary, are you will to show others your faith?
2. Simon was compelled but Simon did not run away as the other disciples did just a few hours earlier: Simon identified with Jesus.
B. There are many in the Bible that when it came time to put their faith to the test, time to be identified with Jesus, shrank away: Some come readily to mind, but there are many.
1. We think at once of Peter: Matt 26:69-75 We think at once of Peter but Peter is not alone.
2. Jonah decided to be a secret Christian: Even as the ship was sinking in the storm they had to drag it out of Jonah that he knew the Lord, that he was a prophet. Jonah decided to be a secret Christian.
3. The prophet Elijah stood alone against the prophets of Baal: Only later did Elijah find out there were 7,000 secret Christians.
4. No one in Sodom had any idea Lot knew the Lord: To the lost Lot was one of them.
5. Nicodemus came to Jesus by night not wanting to be know as one seeking the Messiah:
6. We may think of Peter first but Peter is not alone in the Bible:
C. Today as born again believers in Christ we will be compelled to be known: Be it in the work place, in the school house, at family gatherings, at social events, at sporting events, in restaurants, we will be compelled to be known.
1. Dirty jokes and vulgar language will confront you: What will you do? Turn away, or laugh with the lost?
2. Alcohol will come out at certain gatherings: What will you do? Leave or pretend that should be a part of life?
3. What do you do when the food arrives when eating out? Thank God for His provision as you do at home or bow your head quickly and hope that no one notices?
4. How does the world see you when you are compelled: I know what they should see. – Dan 6:4-5 – No fault in Daniel. I know what they should see. – Gen 41:38-39 – No fault in Joseph only the Holy Spirit of God.
5. I know what the world should see, what the world needs to see when we are compelled: But what do they see?
D. Simon was compelled to bear a cross by the unsaved: Mark 15:21
III. Simon was compelled to bear a cross by Jesus: Mark 15:21 Why can we say Simon was compelled to bear a cross by Jesus? Because Jesus did not need the help of any man to get that cross to Calvary. Jesus was beaten, Jesus was scourged, Jesus was exhausted, and Jesus Christ at that moment was still Almighty God, the creator of this world, the one who walked on water, the one who calmed the storms, the one to whom thousands of angels would have rushed to help. Jesus Christ needed the help of no man.
A. But Jesus compelled Simon to bear that cross as well: Why? It was a test of the love and commitment of Simon by Jesus. I believe one can hear the question that Jesus asked of Peter being asked to Simon, “Simon..lovest thou Me?” Simon, how much do you love me? Enough to be saved, enough to watch as the procession moved toward Calvary, but how much do you love me?
1. How much of your heart Simon is given to Me? Simon, are you willing to step out and stand with Me? In the face of everyone else Simon, are you willing to stand with me. How much do you love Me?
2. When it appears Simon that you are needed will you answer the call? Simon loved and Simon answered the call.
-3-
3. It was the question asked to Abraham on mount Moriah: Gen 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Abraham, lovest thou Me?
4. It was the question asked to Jeremiah when the prophet would go silent: Jer 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. Jeremiah, lovest thou Me?
B. When we are compelled by our Lord, and we will be, I know what the answer should be: Isa 6:8 Do you love Jesus that much?
1. God is still looking for men and women to stand up with Him: Ezek 22:30 Do you love Jesus that much?
2. What is our response when we are called to forsake all and follow Him? Matt 4:18-22 Do we love Jesus that much?
3. Are we willing to be compelled? Rom 1:15-16 Do we love Jesus enough to be ready to answer His call?
4. Is our life hid in His? Col 3:1-4 Is Christ your life today?
5. When compelled how do we answer the call:
C. Simon was compelled to bear a cross by Jesus: Mark 15:21
IV. Simon was compelled to bear a cross of sorrow: Mark 15:21 No Christian reading the accounts of Calvary in the gospels, in the Old Testament, can see anything but sorrow and tears. If you can laugh and mock the cross you are not saved. If all that took place at Calvary does not touch you, does not bring tears, you are not saved.
A. Simon nor anyone else who loved and served Jesus could see anything but sorrow that day and shed tears of sorrow: Why? They saw what Jesus was going through. That sorrow all but shattered their faith.
1. That is why there were tears at the tomb as well as at the cross: John 20:11 The cross was a place of sorrow and tears.
2. The two on the road to Emmaus had eyes that were holden: Holden most likely by tears of sorrow.
3. Thomas saw the sorrow at the cross and could not believe the joy of the empty tomb:
4. The cross was a place of sorrow: Simon was compelled to bear a cross of sorrow.
B. We also will be compelled to bear a cross of sorrow: It is a grand thing to be a Christian when we are blessed at every turn, when all things are going well, when we are filled with the joy of the Lord and nothing seems to be able to change that.
1. But what happens when the sorrow of life, the storms of life come upon us and they will: The testimony of the apostle Paul was that he served the Lord through many tears. – Acts 20:19 , 31
a. Pastor Timothy served the Lord through tears. – 2 Tim 1:4
b. Jesus shed tears in service. – Heb 5:7
c. We continue to wait for the time for all tears to be whipped away.
2. What happens when the cross we are compelled to bear is one of sorrow and tears? And it will be many times over.
a. What happens when our health fails as did Paul’s? Do we carry that cross for our Lord?
b. What happens when we shed tears at the grave of a loved one? Do we carry that cross for our Lord?
c. What happens when we are betrayed by those once trusted as David was? Do we carry that cross for our Lord?
d. What happens when we are falsely accused as Jesus was? Do we carry that cross for our Lord?
3. By the very words of Jesus we know crosses of sorrow will come: John 16:33 Will we bear them for our Lord.
a. many refuse to bear a cross of sorrow and turn away from the only one who can help them and become bitter.
b. But our dear Savior would have us bear that cross of sorrow for Him.
C. Simon was compelled to bear a cross of sorrow: Mark 15:21
V. Simon was compelled to bear a cross to the finish line: Mark 15:21-22 From every account Simon bore that cross to mount Calvary, to Golgotha and then Jesus took over.
A. Simon didn’t stop half way, did not stop near the end, Simon was compelled to bear that cross to the finish line: There are many we can see in the Bible who started well but did not finish well.
1. Demas started well but did not finish well: He turned to the world according to 2 Tim 4:10
2. John Mark left the mission team: He stopped according to Acts 15:37
3. Jesus had many disciples turn away from Him: That recorded for us in John 6:66
4. We find many in the Bible, both Old and New Testament, that started well but did not finish well: Simon was compelled to bear a cross to the finish line.
-4-
B. We are compelled to bear a cross to the finish line for our Savior wants us to finish well: Acts 20:24 ; 2 Tim 4:7 It is the desire of our dear Savior that we finish well for Him, that we not stop, that we not give in, that we not give up, that we finish well.
1. I know many, and some very close to me, some who were a great help to me, who did not finish well: It breaks my heart still.
a. The one who constantly told me it is more important how you finish that how you start did not finish well.
b. An evangelist who was a great help and blessing to me early on in the ministry has not finished well.
c. I personally know more than a few pastors who started well and have not finished well.
2. Over the years I have watched ones so faithful for the Lord Jesus Christ slowly fall away and they are not finishing well: Some that never missed a church service seldom seen other than a Sunday morning. Not finishing well.
a. Some who never questioned the will of God now stating that God doesn’t love them. They are not finishing well.
b. Some so strong in the faith now turning to worldly worship. They are not finishing well.
3. It ought to be our desire to finish well: I pray and I need your prayers to finish well.
a. To finish well in the ministry here and if this is the only stop to finish well.
b. If there would be another stop to finish well.
c. After the pastorate to continue on in the Lord and finish well.
4. Our cross is not to be laid down until we cross the finish line and we hear “Well done thou good and faithful servant”:
C. Simon was compelled to bear a cross to the finish line:
Conclusion
having looked at Simon as an example in cross bearing this morning what can we say?
I. We need to begin with some things we know about Simon: Mark 15:21 Simon is called by name in both Matthew and Luke and call simply “He” in John. We don’t know much about Simon but we do know about him.
A. First, Simon was not called to bear the cross of Jesus, he was called to bear a cross for Jesus: Mark 15:21
B. Second, Simon was a believer, was born again, was a Christian:
II. Simon then was compelled to bear a cross by the unsaved: Mark 15:21They refers to the soldiers, to the lost. No matter what account you look at the they refers to the lost. They identified Simon as a Christian, as a follower of Jesus, as a believer and now they are going to put that to the test.
III. Simon was compelled to bear a cross by Jesus: Mark 15:21 Why can we say Simon was compelled to bear a cross by Jesus? Because Jesus did not need the help of any man to get that cross to Calvary. Jesus was beaten, Jesus was scourged, Jesus was exhausted, and Jesus Christ at that moment was still Almighty God, the creator of this world, the one who walked on water, the one who calmed the storms, the one to whom thousands of angels would have rushed to help. Jesus Christ needed the help of no man.
IV. Simon was compelled to bear a cross of sorrow: Mark 15:21 No Christian reading the accounts of Calvary in the gospels, in the Old Testament, can see anything but sorrow and tears. If you can laugh and mock the cross you are not saved. If all that took place at Calvary does not touch you, does not bring tears, you are not saved.
V. Simon was compelled to bear a cross to the finish line: Mark 15:21-22 From every account Simon bore that cross to mount Calvary, to Golgotha and then Jesus took over.