{"id":229,"date":"2018-11-07T11:31:50","date_gmt":"2018-11-07T19:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/migrate.bettersermons.org\/?p=229"},"modified":"2020-06-01T11:40:30","modified_gmt":"2020-06-01T18:40:30","slug":"via-crucis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/via-crucis\/","title":{"rendered":"Via Crucis"},"content":{"rendered":"
Via Crucis<\/span><\/div>\n

\".\"
\nText:<\/strong>\u00a0Mark 8:27-38<\/p>\n

Main Idea:<\/strong>\u00a0We don’t understand Jesus as well as we think we do. Jesus invites us to lose our lives and pursue a cross-life – this is the call of discipleship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Introduction<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nWe\u2019ve been spending a little time in Mark the past few weeks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nThe more time you spend with these stories the more you realize that each gospel is unique in its portrayal of Jesus.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nIn Mark the narrative moves along at a fast clip<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nAnd Jesus literally explodes into our lives off the pages of this gospel.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nHe is powerful, active<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nHe encounters demons without flinching, heals sickness with a touch, calms storms with a glance.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nOften we are more comfortable with a meek and mild Jesus, who comforts us in our sorrows, holds the little children in his arms and has enough love for everyone in his sphere of influence.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nOur Jesus makes us feel good<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nHe affirms who we are<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nIf we\u2019re honest with ourselves, most of us want just enough of Jesus to be protected, but not enough to mess up our lives<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nToo often we want to add some Jesus to our lives, with the expectation that he will help us along the path we are already traveling.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n7.<\/td>\nBut in our story today, there is no Jesus like that.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nThe Jesus we encounter today confronts our well-conceived plans and speaks directly to the real issues of discipleship: cross, suffering, self-denial<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who is this guy?<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nI\u2019m sure at one time or another you\u2019ve all seen a movie, a TV show or a cartoon about a superhero.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nSuperheros are making a comeback, ya know?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nYeah, that\u2019s right.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nThere are at least 2 or 3 superhero movies coming out now.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nI think it has something to do with the development of special effects capabilities in the past several years.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4)<\/td>\nIn this last Superman movie you couldn\u2019t even see the guy wire that held superman in the air.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5)<\/td>\nAnd it wasn\u2019t obvious that Superman was just hanging there and the background was whizzing by.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nI\u2019m not sure who your favorite is<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nBut Spiderman is my favorite superhero.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd.<\/td>\nIt\u2019s the classic underdog story.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nAnyway, I always love the moment when the superhero races onto the scene of a crime or a disaster or a crisis (ya know, a beautiful young woman is somehow dangling off the edge of a skyscraper.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nI mean, someone\u2019s got to do something.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nAnd then the superhero appears.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nCamera pans to the crowd below as they look up to see a man flying, or shooting spiderwebs from his wrists.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd.<\/td>\nThe look on their faces, and sometimes the words that come from their mouths, scream\u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nWho is this guy?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\ne.<\/td>\nOf course, if you watched Superman growing up, like I did, you know the refrain, right\u2026\u201dA bird, a plane, no\u2026it\u2019s Superman!\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nAnd while Jesus never saves a damsel in distress the way we see in Superman, I do sense that he often left the crowd wondering, \u201cWho is this guy?\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nAnd in Mark, it seems to be happening every 10 minutes or so.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nThe pace is \u201cbreak-neck\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nAnd by the time we arrive at chapter 8, verse 27, and the pace slows to a walk, Jesus knows that the buzz is building and the speculation increasing about who he is.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n7.<\/td>\nAnd so he asks his disciples in verse 27, \u201cWho do people say that I am?\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nWhat\u2019s the word on the street?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\n\u201cWell,\u201d they reply, \u201csome say you\u2019re John the Baptist come back from the dead.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\n\u201cSome say Elijah \u2013 remember his return was prophesied somewhere.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nTied for third place are a bunch of other prophets.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4)<\/td>\nToday you might hear someone say, \u201cSome say you\u2019re one of the Mutants with strange powers.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n8.<\/td>\nBut Jesus was never one to follow the polls and public opinion.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nIf you remember, Jesus simply walked away from more than one opportunity to be crowned, \u201cKing of the Jews.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n9.<\/td>\nWhat matters to Jesus is who the disciples say that He is.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nPeter, front of the line, hand raised, \u201cOooo, ooo, pick me, pick me\u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nThe disciples have taken small wagers on this and Peter just KNOWS who Jesus is.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nThe signs and words of Jesus have brought a picture into focus \u2013 they know who he is and are dying for it to be explicitly said.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\n\u201cYou\u2019re the Christ!\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rebuke and Counter Rebuke<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nIt seems like a good time for congratulations, but Jesus is not interested.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nInstead of congratulations, Peter gets a rebuke.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\n\u201cJesus warned them not to tell anyone about him\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nThe word here translated \u201cwarned\u201d in the NIV is actually, \u201crebuked\u201d, the same word you will see in verses 32-33.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nWhy would Jesus rebuke Peter when he got the answer right?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nCould it be that the right answer is not enough?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nWhy so hard on Peter?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nMaybe<\/strong>, if this claim about Jesus gets out too quickly Jesus\u2019 life will be in danger before the proper time.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nMaybe\u00a0<\/strong>Jesus \u201crebukes them not to say anything\u201d because Peter\u2019s is only partly right.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nWhat if Peter doesn\u2019t understand what the title, \u201cChrist,\u201d means and Jesus doesn\u2019t want false ideas spreading around about him?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nIt isn\u2019t but a few sentences later that we learn that this last option is right.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nNOTICE \u2013 Mark 8:31-32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nPeter understands who Jesus is, but completely miss understands what it means to be \u201cthe Christ.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nThe conversation quickly turns from who Jesus is to what Jesus is sent by God to do.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4)<\/td>\nAnd on this matter, Peter is lost.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd.<\/td>\nAnd rather than congratulate Peter on his new found faith, Jesus instead undermines it, plunging Peter into deeper confusion\u2026in order to lead him to deeper faith.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nPerhaps there is a challenge here for us, who like to have our faith all buttoned down, carefully summarized in as few words as possible and all ambiguity removed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nInstead of removing doubt and confusion, Jesus amplifies it for Peter.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nInstead of removing ambiguity, Jesus deepens the ambiguity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4)<\/td>\nWhy? Because that seems to be the pathway to deeper faith.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5)<\/td>\nWe today are a lot like Peter.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n6)<\/td>\nIf we can name it we think we have faith.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n7)<\/td>\nIf we know certain things to be true then we have all that we need<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n8)<\/td>\nAnd if Jesus were part of conversations like that, I think he would do to us something like what he did to Peter \u2013 turn the whole conversation on its head, heighten the ambiguity so that we can go deeper.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n9)<\/td>\nThis is exactly what is about to happen to Peter.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peter trips over the stumbling block<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nPaul later describes the cross as a stumbling block to the Jews (1 Cor 1:23) and Peter is the first one to trip over it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nPeter sees partially, like the main in 8:22-26, who starts by seeing partially.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nSurely anyone with Jesus\u2019 powers to calm the sea, heal the sick and feed thousands with only a few scraps of food is headed for glory and power.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nJesus is, Peter concludes, precisely the Messiah they need for their national plans.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nHe is ready to ride into Jerusalem and let the revolution begin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nBut Jesus\u2019 mission is different and Peter is totally caught off guard by what Jesus says next.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\n\u201c\u2026the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again\u201d (31).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nPeter never heard the part about rising again after three days.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nHe heard suffering many things and the blood rushed to his head.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd.<\/td>\nFor Peter, a suffering Messiah is impossible.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nThe quest to uncover Jesus\u2019 identity does not end with the confession that He is the Christ (to understand that he was both human and divine, for example).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nThey cannot truly\u00a0know<\/strong>\u00a0who Jesus is without accepting the necessity of his suffering and death<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nAnd they cannot be his disciples without accepting the same for themselves.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nNot only is Peter wrong about the suffering that\u00a0Jesus<\/strong>\u00a0must endure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nThe cross is not only for Jesus \u2013 it is also for his\u00a0disciples.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nSo it is for us \u2013 the confession of right theology about Jesus is not enough. We need true understanding of Jesus and his mission.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nAnd more than that, we need to accept his way \u2013 his life and calling \u2013 as our own and model our lives after him.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nThe cross is not just a means of salvation but a way of life.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nThe via crucis \u2013 the way of the cross.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nJesus second touch, to heal their blindness begins with Jesus second rebuke (first rebuke was command not to tell anyone)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n7.<\/td>\nPeter wants Jesus to do things his way<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nWhen that happens Peter becomes an obstacle \u2013 an instrument of Satan.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nWhat about us? Don\u2019t we want Jesus to do things our way?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nTo help us avoid suffering and to smooth things out?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nTo make our lives work?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Call of Discipleship<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Three movements<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\n(1) Deny yourself, (2) take up your cross and (3) follow me.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nHe\u2019s not talking about bearing our cross (as in, patiently enduring suffering when it comes)\u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nJesus\u2019 language is aggressive \u2013 you must deny yourself and seek out the cross.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nGo find it and carry it with me.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rational<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nWe all want to secure our lives but we usually choose ways that are destined to fail.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nJesus offers the paradoxical principle: Save your life by loosing it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nKinda runs against the conventional wisdom that the guy with the biggest guns, or bank account, or best toys wins.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nThis is the upside down nature of the kingdom<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nThe best way to secure your life is to loose it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nWhat does this look like?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nForsaking homeownership in the suburbs to pursue God\u2019s mission in the city.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nForsaking the comfort of an \u201cnice neighborhood\u201d to live among \u201cthe least of these\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nRejecting the worlds way to success and happiness and choosing rather the way of suffering, in order to suffer with Christ.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd.<\/td>\nThis is what the cross is about \u2013 the via crucis \u2013 the way of the cross.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nI hope you can reflect on the life decisions you are making, even now, and ask yourself, what does discipleship demand?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nAm I looking for a Jesus who will save me from my enemies and secure my comfort<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nAm I ready for a Jesus who will lead me directly into danger and suffering?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nCan you imagine Jesus leading you directly into your suffering and reminding you that he walked that way before you?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nCan you imagine really finding Jesus for the first time in the midst of suffering.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nAm I ready for a Jesus who walks the via crucis?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd.<\/td>\nDo I have the courage to walk it with him?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\ne.<\/td>\nCan you envision what \u201cloosing your life in order to find it\u201d looks like?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A Warning<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nWhat good is it to gain the whole world and loose your soul?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nHey Peter, say you defeat the Romans and get back your Jewish pride, then what?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nIs anyone any different?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nJesus has in mind a revolution with deeper consequences and higher stakes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nThe consequences are a people \u2013 the people of God \u2013\u00a0 transformed into the image of God.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nThe stakes are everything \u2013 in the final analysis we will be weighed in the balance to determine if these words of Jesus made us turn away \u2013 ashamed of Jesus \u2013 like Peter was ashamed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Promise (9:1)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nOr will we receive the promise of chapter 9, verse 1 \u2013 to see the coming of the kingdom of God in power.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nThe suffering will not last forever.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nJesus will return with is reward for those who have trusted and followed him.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nDiscipleship is not about believing a bunch of things about God and Jesus and end-time events.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nThat\u2019s just barely the beginning.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nFollowing Jesus is not about eliminating the questions and solving all the mysteries<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nRather it seems that Jesus is truly seen and understood when we deepen the mysteries and delve deeper into the questions and discover ambiguities we never knew were there.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nAnd discipleship certainly isn\u2019t about fixing all our problems and making our lives work out nice and smoothly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nJesus will not be added to our already crowded lives, like a therapist that helps us deal with the stress of everything<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nJesus would impress upon his disciples\u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nAnd Mark is eager to remind his community<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nAnd we must understand today\u2026.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nDiscipleship \u2013 or, following Jesus \u2013 is about losing the life you have \u2013 life as you know it\u2026<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na)<\/td>\nAnd only after you have done that, to find your life \u2013 the life God has in mind for you.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Submitted by Ryan J. Bell. Better Sermons \u00a9 2005-2007. Click here for\u00a0usage guidelines<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Via Crucis Text:\u00a0Mark 8:27-38 Main Idea:\u00a0We don’t understand Jesus as well as we think we do. Jesus invites us to lose our lives and pursue a cross-life – this is …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=229"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":230,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229\/revisions\/230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}