THE CROSS AND MISTREATMENT
I. THE TRUE MEASURE OF ONE’S PASSION IS THE CROSS – JOHN 12
A. Most persons believe that the true measure of one’s passion is either exuberance or one’s impact. The most
passionate among us can be viewed by measure of their anointing as they minister or the largeness of the influence.
B. Few consider the quality of one’s interior life as the measure of one’s passion and one’s maturity in this life. However,
Jesus emphatically warns us that many who are first shall be last and many who are last shall be first. The proud shall be
humbled on that day and the humble shall be exalted.
So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the
throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of
Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or
lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be
last, and the last first. (Matthew 19:28-30)
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11)
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and
he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11-12)
C. John 12:12-36. At Jesus’ greatest point of public ministry, He chooses the road less traveled, the way of humility, the
way of Calvary. He then states that all His servants are to choose the same path, and the Father validates it from heaven
with His own voice. God the Father validates the path to glory as the Cross.
But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it
produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for
eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone
serves Me, him My Father will honor. 27 Jesus Predicts His Death on the Cross "Now My soul is troubled, and
what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify
Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again."
29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has
spoken to Him." 30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from
the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." ( John 12:23-32)
II. THE TRUE TEST OF ONE’S PASSION IS MEEKNESS WHEN CRUCIFIED – OPPOSITION AND MISTREATMENT
– JAMES 1:2-4
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him
the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a
lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. (Isaiah 53:6-7)
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces
patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
(James 1:2-4)
A. Mistreatment and opposition are both the context and fruit of a fallen world. Everyone suffers. Everyone is hurt,
betrayed, abused, taken advantage of, oppressed. Yet, only for the redeemed can suffering mistreatment count. For the
redeemed even suffering can be used of God for the production of fruitfulness and wholeheartedness.
1. Saint Augustine states that the same miseries send some to heaven and others to hell. The test of suffering
separates the wheat from the chaff in the Church of God: those who in times of tribulation humble themselves to the
will of God are wheat for paradise; those who grow haughty and enraged, and so forsake God, are chaff for hell.
2. Saint Alphonsus Ligouri in The Practice of the Love of Jesus – “The condition of the saints on the earth is to
suffer as they love; the condition of the saints in heaven (in the next age) is to enjoy as they love” (p. 49).
B. Breaking the fantasy that I was the “one” wronged. Everyone is mistreated. Everyone right now is either being
mistreated or is about to be mistreated or is mistreating someone else. We expect suffering from unbelievers outside the
church. In regard to the church a lie moves in and sets up a false expectation. It is this: as we mature we should suffer less
mistreatment in the Church.
C. Why Mistreatment? It exposes the great enemy of our soul – pride manifesting in anger. The crucible places
pressures on the human heart that expose the fault lines underneath the surface. Mistreatment and opposition touches
places of pride otherwise unnoticed in our controlled environments. This is why marriage can be if cooperated with a great
sanctifier of the human heart. When I was single I could control my environment in such a way as to keep my stuff
undisturbed in hidden places. In marriage you can run but you cannot hide. Opposition and mistreatment are part of the
unspoken vows. “In sickness and in health, in opposition and mistreatment til death do us part or til will kill each other.”
I thought I was holy when single, but I found out quickly there is a difference between being holy and being undisturbed.
- Richard Foster’s quote from his book, Prayer or Celebration of Discipline. You are angry when fasting because you
have anger is you.
D. Receive Mistreatment and Suffering as from the Hand of a Loving Father Bringing forth a Greater Work
of Sanctification. Redemptive Suffering Counts! You see mistreatment is not only the test of meekness. The test contains
within itself the avenues for reform and transformation. The pressures expose and if responded to rightly can produce
meekness in the heart. Understanding how to grow in meekness in the midst of mistreatment produces the opportunity for
dependence, faith, and trust. If you knew the divine exchange rate and what awaits those who embrace meekness in the
midst of trial in the next age, you would not dare to waste a good opportunity to receive correction from the Lord’s hand or
to throw away the eternal currency of forgiving and doing good to those who have wronged you. There is something better
than being right in this life. It is being free!
III. EMBRACING MEEKNESS IN THE MIDST OF MISTREATMENT
A. Recognize our Resident Anger in the Heart and Face our Fallenness – Mistreatment is highly personal. It is not that
mistreatment is unfair in some general kind of way. It is that mistreatment happened to me. We have the God given right not
to be mistreated. How dare she do that to me! I cannot believe he actually said this to me. The concern is not what made
her do this or him say that. The concern is that they did and said it to me. I am the one challenged. I am the one resisted.
I am the one in which my inconsistencies and weaknesses were pointed out. Who are they to give me instruction? What
right do they have to analyze me and question me? We get angry when someone messes with our stuff. Our Turf. Our
Ideas. Our Reputations. Thus, the defense mechanism of the fractured soul – anger – rushes to guard us from
the realization that our fallenness is true. We would rather be proud and angry, clinging to our deluded solidarity than
to admit to our inconsistent patterns, fractured pieces, and our humble need for grace to receive forgiveness and to forgive.
1. God recognizes this defense mechanism in Cain and begins to lead him through a series of question to help
him find his way out of shame, bitterness, envy, and self-hatred. God identifies the defense mechanism of pride.
“Why are you angry?” Something new has entered the picture after the fall, correction. Anger, as the defense
mechanism of pride, works to keep us from having to face our fallenness and resists our need for correction.
Genesis 4:4-7 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his
offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the
LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be
accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." NKJV
2. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount He exposes that the same seed of murder and anger which was in Cain is in
us. In fact it is the first set of sins in which Jesus addresses. The defense mechanism of pride – anger – is the
escort into the murderous heart.
Matthew 5:21-22 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever
murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother
without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. NKJV
Jesus states that even if you resist physical murder, yet your heart wishes you could do it and not get caught or you
just wish they would go away, that your heart has embraced a spirit of murder. The latter desire is the predominate
one in the Church – its not that you want to kill someone physically – you’d rather they’d just disappear and go away.
That’s murder folks!
3. The Bible clearly states that wrath and anger produce no righteous fruit.
James 1:19-20 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the
wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. NKJV
Galatians 5:19-24 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy,
murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that
those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. NKJV
Proverbs 14:29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. NKJV
Proverbs 19:19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. NKJV
Proverbs 29:8 Scoffers set a city aflame, But wise men turn away wrath. NKJV
4. Anger aimed outward is outbursts of rage and control. Anger aimed inward is depression and self-hatred. We
must face these areas of fallenness, repent of them as sin, and ask for the healing work of the Spirit to make effective
the cleansing and redeeming work of Calvary.
B. Embrace Humility
1. Understand the weakness of the human condition. It is amazing that anyone gets along with anyone for any
given period of time.
2. Understand your fallen state and propensity to get it wrong and allow yourself to receive forgiveness.
3. Understand the fallen state of the one/ones opposing you and leave room for the forgiveness of God. Get on
their team. They are caught in the same predicament that you are. They will sin against someone and be sinned
against just like you. This leads us to enter into the greatest community building tool imaginable – prayer.
C. Use the Pain to Escort You into Communion with God – Mistreatment causes our hearts to encounter God. In the
midst of trial none of our human props give us relief. Relief can only be found in the encountering God and the finding of His
grace.
1. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow
His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile
in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; (1 Peter 2:21-23)
2. We must recognize that the opinions or actions of others do not keep us from fulfilling God’s will in our lives.
Only we can keep us from fulfilling God’s will in our lives.
D. Grow in Love – Mistreatment creates sensitivity in the heart of the one mistreated. You tend to forget principles
taught from the stage but lessons learned in pain are written on the heart in permanent ink.
E. Endure Hardship – Let endurance and patience do its good work. Let time do its good work.
1. Scriptures
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith
produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the
wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
2. Story of Rachel leaving me with the boys, how I got so mad at them on Sat. (the day of her mom’s funeral),
and the wise counsel she gave.
IV. PAUL AND THE GENUINE APOSTOLIC HEART – II CORINTHIANS 10-13
A. False Apostles who boast in appearance but not in heart.
B. The Accusations Leveled Against Paul in 2 Corinthians
1. He does not keep his word – 2 Corinthians 1:15-2:2
2. Lowly and timid in person but bold when absent
The Spiritual War Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ -- who in
presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. (2 Corinthians 10:1)
3. His presence is weak and his speech is contemptible.
"For his letters," they say, "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech
contemptible." (2 Corinthians 10:10)
4. Untrained in speech – 2 Corinthians 11:6
5. He’s poor and unwilling to take money for the Gospel
6. He is sick and weakly. True apostles are above sickness.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.
For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
C. Paul displays that genuine authority is carried with meekness and gentleness.
Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ -- who in presence am lowly
among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that
confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:1-2
All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know
the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and
you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:27-30)
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."
36 And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 37 They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your
right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you
able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" 39 They said to Him, "We are
able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be
baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared." 41 And
when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and
said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones
exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be
your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:35-45)
The ministry tools/weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual. The one who manifests the nature of Christ wins. The
battle is over righteousness in the inward parts. The indwelling Christ manifesting in a godly, holy life.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but
mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the
knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:1-5)
a. John 14:30-31 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from
here. NKJV
b. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points
tempted as we are, yet without sin. NKJV
c. Hebrews 7:26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and
has become higher than the heavens; NKJV
d. 1 Peter 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. NKJV
e. 1 Peter 2:21-24 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you
should follow His steps:
22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed
Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we,
having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed. NKJV
D. II Corinthians 11:22-33 – The wealth of Christ’s love in Paul’s life is displayed when he deeply loves his own people
who continuously reject him.
1. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
2. Quote from New American Commentary – “According to the Mishna, thirty-six sins, including blasphemy, warranted
being cut off from the people without warning. But flogging averted both a harsher punishment at the hands of God and
being cut off from the people ( Leviticus 18:29; Numbers 15:3). The key text reads: ‘When he is scourged then he is thy
brother’ (m. 3:15). . . He allowed the synagogue to administer punishment on him ‘in order to maintain his Jewish
connections.’ Harvey notes that Jews were given special privileges to settle disputes in their own courts. If one wanted to
stay a member of the Jewish community, one had to submit to its discipline. For Paul to submit to this punishment five times
testifies not only to his physical stamina but to his commitment to his people, which he proclaims in Romans 9:2-4.”
3. Romans 9:1-5 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that
I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my
brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ
came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. NKJV
E. Though loved less, Paul will love Corinth all the more and gladly be poured out for them.
Love for the Church Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek
yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly
spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. (2 Corinthians 12:14-15)
V. BECOMING A PEOPLE OF MEEKNESS AND GLORY
A. Meditate long and often upon the meekness of Christ and the reward system of the Father.
B. Practice the Freedom of Quick Repentance to Others.
C. Embrace the joy of forgiveness and give room for God’s wrath.
D. Practice covering the weaknesses and infirmities of others. Hope all things and believe all things. See people in
this light: How will they look ten years from now if they fully participated with the grace of God in every area of their life?
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. (Proverbs 10:12)
He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. (Proverbs 17:9)
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. (Proverbs 19:11)
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)
E. Practice the discipline of letting your spouse win the argument, especially when you are convinced that you are right.
F. Practice silence in the face of opposition. Pray and bless those who persecute you.
G. Let kind and gracious words frequently be on your lips.
VI. ROMANS 12 AND JAMES 3
Living Sacrifices to God I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
(Romans 12:1-2)
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with
brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given
to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with
those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the
humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all
men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but
rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore "If your enemy is
hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." 21 Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21)
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of
wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This
wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist,
confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing
to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in
peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18)