INTRODUCTION, On my computer it is the second key from the bottom – it is simply titled “SHIFT” The shift key has only one function – to change things
• Press the SHIFT key on any letter and you quickly go from lower case to upper case letters
• Press the SHIFT key with a number and you go from a number to a symbol.
SHIFT – the changing of something of to something else
The Bible is full of people who made a shift.
• Moses – the Prince of Egypt – became the leaders of God’s people – SHIFT
• David – a shepherd boy – Becomes the King of Israel – SHIFT
• Saul – A Persecutor of the Church – Becomes the greatest missionary of the church – SHIFT.
QUESTION DO YOU NEED TO USE THE SHIFT KEY IN YOUR LIFE TODAY?
Are there things you desire to change in your life?
If so, you need to make a SHIFT in your life.
In the gospels, there is a time in the ministry of Jesus where he makes a shift in His ministry – which from that point on defines his purpose and ministry. The SHIFT is found in Mark 8:31-32, He (Jesus) then began to teach them that the 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. He spoke plainly about this.
Did you catch it – Did you see the Shift in Focus?
• Jesus was a master teacher
• Jesus was a great miracle worker
• Jesus was a compassionate man
• BUT THE SHIFT – THE CHANGE IN HIS MINISTRY IS ABOUT TO OCCUR
The Son of Man must suffer, be rejected killed – but will rise in 3 days.
We are in a series called LIFE.COM we are looking our lives through the lens of certainties. Today I want us to look at what it means to Shift your priorities. Our Lord has much to say about making that kind of Shift in our text today.
READ MARK 8:34-38
I want to make a couple of Observations about what Jesus says when it comes to making a shift in your life.
1. First, there is the startling honesty of Jesus. We can never say that we are following Jesus under false pretenses. Jesus never tries to bribe us by the offer of an easy life. The honesty of great leaders has always been one of their great characteristics.
In the early days of WW2, as Winston Churchill took over the leadership of England, all that he offered his people was "blood, sweat & tears." His honest approach rallied England to a hard fought victory. In the same way, Jesus lets us know up front what is required to be a disciple.
2. Secondly, Jesus never calls upon men to do or face anything that He was not prepared to do or face Himself. Jesus was not the kind of leader who sat in isolation playing with the lives of men like expendable pawns. What He asks us to face, He has already faced. Jesus has a right to call on us to take up a cross, for He, Himself, first bore one for us.
That goes against the grain of what the world teaches, does it not? The world teaches us that success is measured by how much wealth we hold, by how convenient & easy life is for us. Anything that differs from that definition of success, anything that bothers us or becomes difficult, we should avoid.
Sadly, the modern church has adopted some of that attitude. So churches are advertised as places offering all kinds of fringe benefits to their members. And many people go shopping for the church that offers the most. The “what’s in it for me” mindset has taken over as people no longer desire to serve but be served.
That is the way the world has conditioned us to think. We have been taught that everybody ought to cater to us, & all our needs ought to be met & all our wants & desires ought to be taken care of. When that doesn’t happen, then we become unhappy. And yet, Jesus said, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself & take up his cross & follow me."
This morning I would like to challenge all of us to thhnk about the shift we must make in our life, by observing the shift Jesus made in his life.
I. Note the Call
A. All inclusive
Mark 8:34, Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me.
We like to be included in things. No one likes isolation. We want to be included in the circle, in on the joke, be part of the in crowd.
When it comes to be a disciple, – everyone is welcome – but few are willing to take up the cross.
B. All-encompassing
When Jesus made the call to discipleship he want his followers to understand discipleship would not be a once a week event or be a disciple when one feels like it. Discipleship is an everyday 24/7 experience.
Ray Kroc founder of the MacDonald’s Hamburger chain said of his priorities – GOD FAMILY HAMBURGERS and when I get to work I reverse the order. When it comes to being a disciple there is no reversal of order it must always be God and God alone. Tour De France Champion Lance Armstrong was asked, “What he thinks about when he rides, what is the driving force that keeps you going”. HIS ANSWER – I FOCUS ON FINISHING THE RACE.
WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSING ON TODAY? The word for church in the NT is Ecclesia – The called ones. We were called out the world (sin) and called to something (life), The challenge before us is to answer the call.
A call that is all-inclusive and all encompassing
C. Call is conditional
There is a word in the text that tells us of the call is conditional “IF”. What an incredible word “IF”
• It is the word of the procrastinator – IF only I would have started sooner
• It is the word of the doubter – If you would only believe
• It is the words of the excuse maker – If only I would have…
• If is the word of mediocrity
• Jesus says if a man will be my disciple, if he will count the cost, if he will ready himself. Too often the word if gets in the way of discipleship.
After noting the call let us now…
II. Note the Challenge.
The second half of Mark 8:34-35 reads: he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.
Did you note the action words?
A. Deny – put away your wants and desires. In a world of immediate gratification and materialism it is hard to deny ourselves what we desire.
• If I want it buy it
• If it is painful stop it
• If it is hard get someone else to do it
Yet Jesus calls us to discipleship by denying ourselves – HOW
Gal 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the real life I now have within this body is a result of my trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (TLB)
B. Take – Take up what YOUR CROSS
There is a lot of confusion about this idea of bearing a cross. When people have a misfortune or life is difficult because of choices or circumstances – we say, “That is their cross to bear”.
CROSS BEARING IS NOT A CIRCUMSTANCE OR SOMETHING THAT IS PLACED ON YOU - CROSS BEARING IS THE CHOICE YOU MAKES WHEN THEY DECIDE TO MAKE JESUS LORD OF YOUR LIFE and are willing to turn their back on the things of this world in order to lift up the cause of Christ. You lift a cross
• When you chose to faithful follow the words of God regardless of public opinion
• When you chose to forgo your rights to be first - so that you may serve others
• When you chose to sacrifice your wants for the needs of the kingdom
OLD HYMN – MUST Jesus BARE THE CROSS ALONE AND LET THE WHOLE WORLD GO FREE – NO THERE IS A CROSS FOR EVERYONE and THERE IS A CROSS FOR ME! Find your cross and lift it up for the sake of Christ.
C. Follow
The last word is where our shift comes in – up until this point of our Lord’s ministry, people were coming and going with him. Yes, the 12 was always there but others came to see miracles and hear teaching. At this point Jesus makes the shift. FOLLOW ME
They had followed the Law of Moses
They had followed the religious leaders
They had even followed Roman rule.
BUT NOW COMES THE SHIFT
Mark 8:36-37, What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Two questions but it is a monumental shift.
Jesus was calling his disciples to make a shift in priorities
From gaining the world to keeping one’s soul
What a shift – Jesus was calling his followers to make a radical shift in thinking, lifestyle and future plans.
WHY?
Because Jesus understood there comes a moment in everyone’s life where we need to make a shift in priorities.
The child becomes an adult
The student becomes a scholar
The believer becomes a disciple
It is all about making a shift.
I want you to know we are asking the members of Palm Bay Christian Church to make a shift as well…
From a church that prays to a praying church, a shift must be made!
That is why we are asking you to give up your time next week to encounter God in a unique way of Prayer and Fasting.
• Setting aside a time to pray for God to move through our Building a Better Ministry Campaign – for 12 hours we want our congregation in prayer for next weeks’ offering.
• FASTING –
Why fast? Fasting is a way of giving up something you desire to focus on God’s desire.
How do I fast? Determine ahead of time you will go a period without Something (we are suggesting food) those of you with health concerns may fast from TV, activity.
FASTING IS NOT ABOUT GOING WITHOUT – FASTING IS ABOUT TURNING YOUR FOCUS TO SOMETHING ELSE – during your fast there will be a couple of triggers, which will stir your focus. One is a natural longing - food or activities, when that happens turn your attention from the longing to God in prayer. A second trigger will be the Holy Spirit; he will alert you to times of prayer.
What is the result of fasting? Fasting opens our eyes to what really matters in this world. John 4, the woman at the Well
John 4:30-34
30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."
32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."
33 Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?"
34 "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
We must make other shifts…
Sidelines to the frontlines - As a church
Tippers to tithers
Spectators to participants – as individuals
Believers to Disciples
FRIENDS THE WORK IS TO GREAT FOR US NOT TO MAKE A SHIFT
Jesus asked the probing questions
Mark 8:36-37, What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
This morning I am going to ask you to do the 3 things Jesus asked his disciples
DENY
TAKE UP
FOLLOW ME
INVITATION.
