The Realities of Discipleship
(Mark 8: 34-38, Psalm 49 and Daniel 7:13-14)
1. The Sunday School teacher taught her class, “The wicked kings and queens of the Bible thought no one or nothing was more powerful than they were. Who can tell me who or what is more powerful than a king or queen?
“I know,” a little boy blurted out, “An Ace!”
2. The teacher probably thought she needed a new deal after that one!
3. Of course the answer she expected was, “God.” He is above all powers, all kingdoms. And when God became a man in the person of Messiah Jesus, he demanded our full and complete allegiance, and rightfully so.
4. Yet we struggle to follow him as learners and imitators of his character — as disciples. I think it is fair to say that none of us have mastered discipleship, primarily because of our inconsistent walk with him.
5. Much of Jesus teaching here is an exposition of Psalm 49 and Daniel 7:13-14. Jesus probably taught for a while on these texts, and we have but a few summary highlights. By studying the texts together, however, we can create more context.
Main Idea: When we walk with Jesus, our lives are filled with meaning and rich. But the Christian life is not an easy life, forcing us to first count the cost as we evaluate the following facts.
I. This Present Form of the Kingdom Includes HARDSHIP on Earth (34-35 with Psalm 49:5-6)
A. The future reign of Christ on earth will be GLORIOUS
• Jewish beliefs at the time…
B. But the current form of the Kingdom means taking up the CROSS
1. Sometimes SUFFERING for our beliefs, including humiliation
• But in Psalm 49, the idea is being surrounded (mocked) by evildoers
Psalm 49:5-6, “Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?”
2. Discipline and habits of DISCPLESHIP
When you hear the word “Sunday,” you need to think, “Sunday is for discipleship.” It is the day I bear down to grow, learn, worship, pray, and fellowship.” We should try to develop habits for a short time in the Word & prayer, just a few minutes, daily.
3. It is writing God a blank check, as far as even dying for him
The cross is not your mother-in-law or boss; it may literally mean dying for Jesus, & hundreds have done in the past weeks in the middle east…for most of us, however, it means willingness to suffer mockery, hardship, or being excluded…for Jesus!
One minister was getting a tour of another minister’s church. With pride the minister pointed to beautiful auditorium, expresso coffee bar, amazing sound system, and huge food court. As they stepped outside, darkness was falling, and a spotlight shone on a huge cross atop the steeple.
“That cross alone cost us twenty thousand dollars,” the minister boasted.
“You were cheated,” replied the first minister. “Christians used to get them for free.”
4. Worth it: to be right with God, at peace with him:
I Peter 2:25, “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
C. The seemingly foolish but wise saying: lose your life in Jesus and FIND it
• True in eternity, but also true in this life
• Relative deprivation: neighbors have new Cadillacs , you a 10 year chevy
• Focusing on helping/loving others makes you more joyful; focusing on your self brings depression and despair
When we walk with Jesus, our lives are filled with meaning and rich. But the Christian life is not an easy life, forcing us to first count the cost as we evaluate the following facts
II. We Cannot Save Our Own Souls, Which is Why We Need JESUS (36-37 with Psalm 49:7, 15)
A. Answer to first question: NO profit
We tend to define “success” incorrectly. Success is taking up your cross and following Jesus faithfully as his disciple. It is not owning a chain business, winning a sports’ championship, or being the best musician in town.
B. What can a man give in EXCHANGE for his soul
C. A MIDRASH (teaching) built upon Psalm 49
Psalm 49:7, 15 “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life” (7); “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me” (15)
Jesus did what he could not do. His life, as the God-man, could atone for our sin.
When we walk with Jesus, our lives are filled with meaning and rich. But the Christian life is not an easy life, forcing us to first count the cost as we evaluate the following facts
III. We Must Choose Between Clear-cut ALTERNATIVES: Shame or Pride in Jesus? (38 with Psalm 49:14 and Daniel 7:13-14)
A. UNASHAMED or ashamed?
1. To be unashamed is to identify with and take pride in Jesus
2. The ritual of baptism is God’s way for us to publicly identify with Jesus
3. But the real issue is, “Who do we glory in.”
4. If we are unashamed of Jesus and put our trust in Him, our destiny is secure.
Psalm 49:14, “Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.”
B. The Son of Man will come in glory; if we know him, we will share in that GLORY
C. A MIDRASH based upon Daniel 7:13-14
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
When we walk with Jesus, our lives are filled with meaning and rich. But the Christian life is not an easy life, forcing us to first count the cost as we evaluate the following facts
**** notes **** should be in columns, sorry but hopefully you can match the verses...
Psalm 49 (selected verses)
1 Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together!
….
5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
7 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others…
14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.
15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah'
16 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich… For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him…20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
Daniel 7:13-14
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
Mark 8:34-38
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them,
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?
35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.
36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
