Introduction: Following Gets Real
Up until this point in Mark’s Gospel, following Jesus has felt exciting.
Crowds. Miracles.
Teaching that stirs hearts.
People are curious. Hopeful. Drawn in.
But right here (Chapter 8) — everything changes.
This is the moment where Jesus stops talking around discipleship and starts speaking about it plainly
• Not about success.
• Not about influence.
• But about . . . the cross.
And this morning, Jesus asks us the same question He asked then — not “What do you think of me?” as we saw in Part 1 of the series;
But “Are you willing to follow me?”
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Object Illustration: The Rucksack
(Hold or wear a rucksack.)
This bag is designed for walking journeys.
It’s useful — but only if you’re willing to carry it.
You don’t put a rucksack on for comfort.
You put it on because you’re going somewhere.
And what you carry matters.
Some things are necessary.
Some things weigh you down.
Jesus never hid the fact that following Him involves carrying something.
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1. Jesus Is Honest About the Cost (vv. 31–32)
From now on, Jesus begins to teach His disciples plainly.
He will suffer.
He will be rejected.
He will be killed.
And He will rise again.
This isn’t a detour — it’s the way.
Jesus doesn’t soften the truth or disguise the cost.
He loves us too much for that.
And that’s important, because Christianity isn’t about signing up to a comfortable life
— it’s about trusting a faithful Saviour.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why is faith sometimes hard?”
Jesus would say, “I told you it would be.”
But notice this:
Jesus doesn’t say this to push people away
— He says it so they can follow Him
with eyes open.
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2. Discipleship Is a Choice, Not a Crowd (v. 34)
Jesus calls the crowd together.
This isn’t just for the keen.
This isn’t just for the committed.
This is for anyone listening.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.”
That word “wants” matters.
Jesus never forces anyone to follow Him.
He invites.
Discipleship begins with desire —
Do I want this life with Jesus?
Not a life where Jesus supports my plans…
but a life where Jesus becomes the centre.
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3. Taking Up the Cross Is Daily, Not Dramatic
For us, the cross is a symbol.
For them, it was an instrument of death.
Jesus is saying:
“Following me means surrendering control.”
It means letting go of the idea that “I know best.”
The Cross is about Daily decisions:
• choosing forgiveness
• choosing honesty
• choosing faith, when fear would be easier
• choosing Jesus, when no one’s watching
That’s what the cross looks like most days.
(Open the rucksack. Pull out plain boxes)
We all carry things (pull out):
• expectations
• habits
• fears
• comforts
• responsibility
Some things need to stay.
Some things Jesus gently asks us to lay down.
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4. Losing Your Life to Find It (vv. 35–37)
Jesus says something that sounds upside down:
“Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but
whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
We spend so much energy protecting our lives, right? — our image, comfort, security.
Jesus says: That’s not where life is found.
Life (real life) is found in trusting Him.
Following Jesus isn’t about giving things up for nothing.
It’s about receiving something better.
Peace.
Purpose.
Hope that outlasts circumstances.
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5. A Gentle Gospel Call (vv. 38)
Jesus ends with a warning — If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.’
but it’s also an invitation:
• To acknowledge Him.
• To trust Him.
• To follow Him openly.
And here’s the good news at the heart of it all:
Jesus doesn’t ask us to carry a cross alone.
He carried His first — for us.
? Before we ever deny ourselves,
He gave Himself.
? Before we ever follow,
He made the way.
This isn’t about earning God’s love.
It’s about responding to it.
So . . . Have you responded to Jesus Christ?
Do you know Him as your Lord – the One you choose to follow?
If you haven’t responded to His call to Follow Him, you can today.
Straight after the service, come and see me (write in the comments on YouTube)
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Response: A Practical Challenge
This week, don’t try to change everything.
Just ask one honest question each day:
“Jesus, what does following You look like here? . . .
In a conversation.
In a decision.
In a moment of stress or choice.
Small steps.
Daily trust.
No turning back.
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PLAY SONG: open eyes on YouTube. Search “Highfield Community Baptist”
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for being honest with us.
Thank You for loving us enough to tell us the truth.
We don’t want a faith that stays on the surface.
We want a faith that follows You — even when it costs.
Help us lay down what holds us back,
and take up the life You offer.
Teach us to trust You daily,
to follow You faithfully, and
to walk the way of the cross —
knowing it leads to life.
