DISCIPLESHIP ... AND SELF DENIAL
November 11, 2007 PM
Sermon Outline
MK 8:34-38
INTRO: "Not all earth's gold and silver can make a sinner whole. But in the eager rush for wealth forgotten is the soul." These words from a very old hymn no longer found in our hymn books are as contemporary as today's newspaper. The text for our thoughts tonight is well known ... at least, as an often heard text. But is it well understood? Are we followers of Christ "on the cheap"? Are we religious but spiritually destitute? As I have read and reread these verses, I have most assuredly been challenged to examine my own understanding of the meaning of discipleship and am not a little disturbed by that examination. Do we sing "Have Thine Own Way"? Or "Have Mine Own Way"? Jesus clearly defines the nature of discipleship here.
- THE NATURE OF THE SELF DENIAL
- This was not just a teaching for the apostles
- Mark clearly says that He "called the people ... with his disciples"
- discipleship is not one thing for some ... something else for others
- what He's about to say is for all
- There were no doubt many who would have followed "nominally"
- Lk 9:57-61 - but it was a very misunderstood "followship"
- to follow for prestige, for advantage, for appearances is all wrong
- why are you following Him?
- He speaks of self denial ... and bearing ones cross
- when one was bearing his cross, he was going to die!
- this self denial was not a casual, frivolous, minor thing in ones life
- it was a total change of life's centers ... from self to Jesus
- "none of self, and all of thee," we occasionally sing - are we there? or, are we at "some of self, and some of thee"?
- Lk 9:23 adds the word "daily" - there is just no way that a kind of "when its convenient" discipleship can be what Jesus means here
- This was not just a teaching for the apostles
- THEN, JESUS TALKED ABOUT LOSING ONES LIFE TO SAVE IT
- When one loses his life, he is dead ... right?
- he has no more of his life left in him ... no more self interest
- my desires, my wishes, my interests, my pride are gone ... dead
- notice Phil 2:7"...but emptied himself..." - only then could He become a slave, obedient even to death of the cross
- but Jesus is not talking necessarily about physical death ... He is talking about emptying self in favor of Him and the gospel (so, Phil 3:7,8)
- V. 36 clearly indicates He is talking about ones interest in this world
- the things and interests of this world come between us and Him
- He knew that self interest, worldly things would be powerful attractions
- but having all the wealth in the world cannot save ones soul - chasing after this world, worldly interests is, at the end of the day, spiritually worthless
- if, because of prestige, pride, wealth, etc. one loses his soul, one loses his soul, his loss is incalculable and irretrievable ... total loss
- V. 37 is another demanding question
- what treasure, what moral compromise, what personal issue are you willing to trade for the security of your soul?
- what kind of deal are you willing to make with the Devil?
- most of us would probably not deliberately sell our souls ... but would we do it by neglect, by having our own way, by holding on to the unimportant?
- I think of Esau - who traded great spiritual privilege for a bowl of soup (Heb 1216) - what are you trading for eternal security?
- When one loses his life, he is dead ... right?
- ASHAMED OF HIM AND HIS WORDS?
- His description of the times?
- "adulterous and sinful generation" - estranged for God; immersed in sin
- there was religion ... but little real faith - is our time any different?
- I think many would acknowledge Jesus ... but what about His teaching?
- this takes us back to Sermon on the Mount - Mt 7:24
- or, to Lk 6:46 - could this describe any of us?
- There is a great day coming ... what then?
- giving lip service to the Lord's teaching, commandments is just not enough
- so, Mt 7:21-23 - we often read these words of others ... could they, though, apply to any of us?
- His description of the times?
CLOSE: These verses are no doubt some of the most challenging of all that the Lord said about discipleship. We need, my friends, to meditate on them for their practical import to our discipleship.
Cecil A. Hutson
11 November 2007