Carry Your Cross
Mark 8:34-38
Rev. Phillip A. Wright
Mark 8: 34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. NKJ
Need: Every believer needs to make a conscious choice about where they personally stand in regard to serving the Lord with their life.
Textual Idea: Mark points out the choices believers must make and the broad ranges between those choices. There are real choices we must make in whether to serve the Lord and the costs associated with disobedience.
Will you carry your cross or be found hiding behind it?
Explanation: Many people openly state when they are first saved that they desire to serve the Lord with their life. However, in practice almost 95% of believers never share their faith with anyone. Many people jockey for positions so they can be in a position of leadership. What are their real motives?
Illustration: During World War II, England needed to increase its production of coal. Winston Churchill called together labor leaders to enlist their support. At the end of his presentation he asked them to picture in their minds a parade which he knew would be held in Piccadilly Circus after the war.
First, he said, would come the sailors who had kept the vital sea lanes open. Then would come the soldiers who had come home from Dunkirk and then gone on to defeat Rommel in Africa. Then would come the pilots who had driven the Luftwaffe from the sky.
Last of all, he said, would come a long line of sweat-stained, soot-streaked men in miner’s caps. Someone would cry from the crowd, ’And where were you during the critical days of our struggle?’ And from ten thousand throats would come the answer, ’We were deep in the earth with our faces to the coal.’"
Not all the jobs in a church are prominent and glamorous. But it is often the people with their "faces to the coal" who help the church accomplish its mission.
Argumentation: You see some parts of Christian service will bring one into the limelight and others will be behind the scenes. However, God sees and judges the true intention of the heart. Before you push to rise to a position in the church please do a self test. Why? What? Credit?
Transition: Our text suggests two points. What is our:
1. Personal Expectations
a. There is a Choice (34a) – Service to the Lord is completely voluntary but it carries with it a value which can’t be beat. The whole illustration about denying oneself and taking up your cross concerns one’s personal choice to weigh the cost of Christian service. The jagged edge of which must be done in the proper spirit and with the right intentions.
Following Christ is not a promise of good things all the time and a joy filled life with plenty of money, time and great happiness. The opposite is frequently the case. When you align yourself with the Lord – the Prince of this world automatically hates you and wishes to destroy you.
b. There is a Condition (34b) - What does the Scripture mean by “deny himself?” That verb used to translate the word “deny” has a special ending which means “disown or renounce a claim to something.” This is specifically a self initiated act it is not having something taken from you. This is action with reference to one’s self. The command is to renounce ownership of your life and assign it to the Lord and there you will find your place of service.
c. There is a Connection (34c) – Yesterday I got a letter in the mail. The return address said, George W. Bush – President of the United States. I opened it and you guessed it – he wants money. I support him and I will give but this verse speaks to something a bit more important.
Jesus is inviting all those who are willing to follow him. The Lord is inviting you personally to be part of His Kingdom. Now you can’t beat a connection like that.
Application: What is your personal motivation? Is it a desire for recognition or is it a true and honest desire to serve the Lord without thought to personal cost or credit?
Transition: There are Personal Expectations showing a Choice, a Condition and a Connection. There is a Paradoxical Examination:
2. Paradoxical Examinations
Jesus asks three two part questions thought provoking questions.
Mark 8: 35-37 35 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 "Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (NKJV)
Explanation: The outward expression of one’s Christian service cannot come from a desire to have others think good of you for your service, deeds, or theological knowledge or ability. It must be born of a true desire to other’s come to know Christ.
Illustration: Years ago, the Salvation Army was holding an international convention and their founder, Gen. William Booth, could not attend because of physical weakness. He cabled his convention message to them. It was one word: "OTHERS."
Argumentation: The church will flourish with a few well placed and capable leaders but with a few glory seekers in the mix there will be a serious problem. The congregation will in short time realize that “it isn’t all about Christ anymore. This destroys the very foundation of the Church. The church is all about Christ and nothing or no one else.
a. Priority and Security (35) – Jesus is not saying that if you give your life to him someone will kill you. That is not the context. The offer being made to you to save your life eternally by giving it to Christ, You will lose control but in the long run you will save it and you will be with the Lord.
The Paradox here is partially hidden in the language. Jesus uses a word to say “will lose” that is almost always used in a contrasting manner. The root meaning is to destroy. So Jesus is saying whoever totally gives their life over to me will indeed save it – because he will not go back on his promise.
b. Prominence of your Soul (36-37) - Jesus asks a strong but realistic question bent on making one answer the tough question. What are we (believers) here for? Remember Malcolm Forbes said “He who dies with the most toys wins.” What a shame. The accumulation of some degree of wealth is not condemned it is in fact expected. But chasing after more money is not what the believer ought to be doing.
The contrasting question is in essence, “what is it worth if you got all the gold in the world but lose your soul.” You can’t buy you soul.”
Think about it. This is a question of priority not value.
What should believers be spending their time on chasing cash or prospects – for their own sake?
c. Paraousia of the Savior (38)
Mark 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
a. The Lord is clear in Verse 38 that whoever is ashamed of Him – He will also be ashamed of that one. Let’s picture that moment: Christ is the only mediator between God and Man. That means he is the one who speaks on behalf of others – like an attorney.
Folks, at that last moment before one enters heaven or hell, Christ will either say “Well done” or “Depart from me.” Only you and He knows for sure what you are all about.
Application: How is your relationship with the Lord? Is he spreading His arms to welcome you or is he pointing and telling you to depart?
Transition: I assure you that you can know for sure where your destiny will be at that last moment. There is no reason for anyone to wonder. There may be a reason for some to fear but not wonder.
Visualization: Think for a moment about heaven and remember what John Hannah once said, “Two things will surprise us when we arrive in heaven: who is there and who is not.” As we think about heaven lets remember those:
Reiteration:
1. Personal Expectations
a. There is a Choice (34a)
b. There is a Condition (34b)
c. There is a Connection (34c)
2. Paradoxical Examinations
a. Priority and Security (35)
b. Prominence of your Soul (36-37)
c. Paraousia of the Savior (38)
Action: It is essential for people to weigh the cost of obeying and disobeying the Lord – serving and ignoring the Lord.
Appeal: It is a fair plea to ask you think seriously about the reward associated with a life of serving God and the consequences for failing to believe and grow in His grace.
• Why not trust Him today?
• Surrender to service?
• Join with this Fellowship?
