Mark 8:27-9:1
March 8, 2009
with Adam Waters
March 8, 2009
with Adam Waters
What is the cost of following Jesus?
I think we have to answer ourselves that question before we begin to follow Jesus. Before we begin to take his words and apply them to our lives, we should know what we’re getting into. One of my favorite bands dives into this dilemma as only they can in their son “Cost.” Now, my wife can’t stand this band and many of you probably wouldn’t like them either, so I will spare you their nasal, strained, sometimes off-key singing and just read you the words to the song.
COST by Lost and Found
Count the cost
Count the cost
Count of love before it breaks your heart
Some people gotta’ long, long way to run, it’s true
Some people don’t know what they’re running from, do you?
Some people try to count the cost of life before they pay
But once you say “ok,” you can’t just run away
Count the cost
Count the cost
Count of love before it breaks your heart
Some love the feeling, some love the fight
Some love the steeling, some love the light
Some love the love they love, and some love the love they love
Some trust the love they trust, to the trust they love above
Count the cost
Count the cost
Count of love before it breaks your heart
Some love the choosing, some love the choice
Some fear the losing, some lose their voice
Some choose the choice to lose, some chose the choice they lost
You can choose what you wanna’ choose, but you just can’t choose the cost
Count the cost
Count the cost
Count of love before it breaks your heart
Keep the question of “cost” in your mind as we READ: MARK 8:27-9:1
Have you ever coached a team before? My experiences in coaching are varied. I was an assistant coach of a pee-wee soccer team one fall. I was the lead coach of a Bible quiz team at 2 different churches for a few years. And, I helped Corrie coach (or at least she allowed me to think I did) high school volleyball for a couple of years. But, inevitably every coach goes through a similar process. You have an offseason of preparation, planning, and parents/family. Then, you begin preseason with lots (and lots) of practice, training, real coaching. Then, right before your first game/tournament, every coach asks this question: ARE THEY READY?
This is where we find Jesus in today’s passage. He’s asking them questions. Are they ready to hear what Jesus will ultimately do on his mission to bring about God’s Kingdom?
THE TEACHER’S VOICE
• Jesus’ question led to Peter’s confession… ok, maybe they are ready to hear the cost.
• Peter’s confession led to Christ opening up about his suffering… his cost.
• Christ’s openness led to Peter’s questioning… we’re not ready for that cost.
• Peter led to Christ’s revelations on the Kingdom… Here’s what it will cost!
– It’s time to get in line! (get behind me and follow).
– It’s time for our faith to become our faith. Not our parents, our church’s or our friends…ours.
– Jesus knows his role in the Kingdom is to LEAD. The disciples (we) seem to forget that we are followers and need Jesus.
– Matthew 5:1 – “God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.”
– M. Moore: Join the revolution whose leader chose to die… grab a cross (guillotine, electric chair) and join a movement that is destined to end in you losing your life for the cause.
– If you do this, you will find TRUE LIFE in Christ. If you don’t, you will lose everything this world holds dear at some point… it all ends in ashes, meaningless.
– Your soul matters… your flesh does not!
– Boldness matters… do not be ashamed of Jesus for you won’t like it if he chooses to do the same.
– Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed when you’re persecuted.”
– 9:1 – The Kingdom will come in power upon those who (a)choose to follow, (b)submit completely to the will of Christ, and (c)who walk boldly with His gospel
I think we have to answer ourselves that question before we begin to follow Jesus. Before we begin to take his words and apply them to our lives, we should know what we’re getting into. One of my favorite bands dives into this dilemma as only they can in their son “Cost.” Now, my wife can’t stand this band and many of you probably wouldn’t like them either, so I will spare you their nasal, strained, sometimes off-key singing and just read you the words to the song.
COST by Lost and Found
Count the cost
Count the cost
Count of love before it breaks your heart
Some people gotta’ long, long way to run, it’s true
Some people don’t know what they’re running from, do you?
Some people try to count the cost of life before they pay
But once you say “ok,” you can’t just run away
Count the cost
Count the cost
Count of love before it breaks your heart
Some love the feeling, some love the fight
Some love the steeling, some love the light
Some love the love they love, and some love the love they love
Some trust the love they trust, to the trust they love above
Count the cost
Count the cost
Count of love before it breaks your heart
Some love the choosing, some love the choice
Some fear the losing, some lose their voice
Some choose the choice to lose, some chose the choice they lost
You can choose what you wanna’ choose, but you just can’t choose the cost
Count the cost
Count the cost
Count of love before it breaks your heart
Keep the question of “cost” in your mind as we READ: MARK 8:27-9:1
Have you ever coached a team before? My experiences in coaching are varied. I was an assistant coach of a pee-wee soccer team one fall. I was the lead coach of a Bible quiz team at 2 different churches for a few years. And, I helped Corrie coach (or at least she allowed me to think I did) high school volleyball for a couple of years. But, inevitably every coach goes through a similar process. You have an offseason of preparation, planning, and parents/family. Then, you begin preseason with lots (and lots) of practice, training, real coaching. Then, right before your first game/tournament, every coach asks this question: ARE THEY READY?
This is where we find Jesus in today’s passage. He’s asking them questions. Are they ready to hear what Jesus will ultimately do on his mission to bring about God’s Kingdom?
THE TEACHER’S VOICE
• Jesus’ question led to Peter’s confession… ok, maybe they are ready to hear the cost.
• Peter’s confession led to Christ opening up about his suffering… his cost.
• Christ’s openness led to Peter’s questioning… we’re not ready for that cost.
• Peter led to Christ’s revelations on the Kingdom… Here’s what it will cost!
– It’s time to get in line! (get behind me and follow).
– It’s time for our faith to become our faith. Not our parents, our church’s or our friends…ours.
– Jesus knows his role in the Kingdom is to LEAD. The disciples (we) seem to forget that we are followers and need Jesus.
– Matthew 5:1 – “God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.”
– M. Moore: Join the revolution whose leader chose to die… grab a cross (guillotine, electric chair) and join a movement that is destined to end in you losing your life for the cause.
– If you do this, you will find TRUE LIFE in Christ. If you don’t, you will lose everything this world holds dear at some point… it all ends in ashes, meaningless.
– Your soul matters… your flesh does not!
– Boldness matters… do not be ashamed of Jesus for you won’t like it if he chooses to do the same.
– Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed when you’re persecuted.”
– 9:1 – The Kingdom will come in power upon those who (a)choose to follow, (b)submit completely to the will of Christ, and (c)who walk boldly with His gospel
We must tune our ears to a different station…
• We are challenging you to live like what God has to say actually matters!
• If what he is saying matters, then many of us need to relinquish control of our lives and let the power of Jesus fill us.
Listen to the text another way from THE MESSAGE 8:34-38
• We are challenging you to live like what God has to say actually matters!
• If what he is saying matters, then many of us need to relinquish control of our lives and let the power of Jesus fill us.
Listen to the text another way from THE MESSAGE 8:34-38
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."
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