Am I Willing To Die To Myself?
Bible Study
The Critical Questions... And More
Three Pre-Easter Bible Studies
Object:
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If you want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
Lesson Objective: At the end of this lesson, all those attending will recognize what it means to follow Jesus and what is "expected" of them.
Prayer Focus: Pray that each one attending or reading might see the price that was paid for him/her. Pray that each one might accept Jesus Christ as Lord.
Background
In chapter 8 of Mark, we find Jesus and the disciples coming to Bethsaida. There they meet a blind man. Jesus heals the man and sends him home with the words, "Don't go into the village." Then, Jesus and the disciples are walking through the villages of Caesarea Philippi. While they walk, Jesus asks them an important question: "Who do people say I am?"
That's the key question: "Who is Jesus, and what do his responses mean?" Let's take a look.
Lesson
A minister at a small country church wanted to make some much needed improvements and suggested that the church buy a chandelier. The church, though, voted it down. The minister was frustrated and asked, "Why didn't you want a chandelier?" A spokesman stood to speak. "First, no one can spell it. Second, no one can play it. Third, what we really need is more light."
There are times when we misunderstand what is being asked of us. In this text, we find the disciples being told of Jesus' destiny and their own. It is a challenging text as we consider his destiny ... and ours.
Jesus is the Christ
"Who do the people say I am?" The disciples reply, "Some say John the Baptist and others Elijah and still others another prophet." Jesus, though, isn't finished. "Who do you say I am?" There is the crucial question. It is the question for the ages. What do you do with Jesus Christ? Who is he and what does he mean?
Amazingly enough, that question is still asked today. There are many who still aren't sure what to do with Jesus. To some, he is still one of the prophets. There are some that equate Jesus with "great" religious leaders: Mohammed, Buddha, Joseph Smith, and others. There are some who want to completely dismiss him as myth or legend. In their minds, he is the same as Paul Bunyan or Zeus. There are some who simply choose not to think of him at all. The inescapable truth is, though, that you will have to answer that question.
"Who do you say I am?" Peter was ready. He spoke on behalf of the others. "You are the Christ." A simple, yet profound statement. That term, "Christ," isn't used much in Mark's gospel and even less by Jesus himself. It has political and national connotations in the Jewish mind. It is the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew term, "Messiah." Peter is acknowledging here that Jesus is "The Chosen One." He is the one to come. He is the Savior and Redeemer. For the first time in this gospel, the disciples are beginning to understand.
What about you? Who is Jesus to you?
Jesus knew and taught that his destiny was death
After this discussion with the disciples, Jesus begins to teach them that he must suffer and die and then rise again. Though the disciples may have had some understanding of who he was, they could not, at this point, grasp this destiny. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. Jesus, though, would not be deterred. "Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God but the things of men."
Jesus was fully aware of his life's mission and work. The cross did not surprise Jesus. Some have suggested that Jesus was not fully aware of his identity until his life was complete. That, though, doesn't seem to be the case according to the scriptures. We see here that he knew the cross was ahead. Peter, though, could not comprehend that the Messiah would die, especially in such a horrible fashion. It just couldn't be.
Jesus would not be tricked. He knew that the voice behind Peter's words were those of his adversary, Satan. Satan continued to try to get Jesus away from his mission of redemption. If he could have convinced Jesus not to die, then he would have won. Jesus didn't take the bait. He was faithful, even unto death.
What does this mean to you? It is the heart of the gospel. Jesus loved you enough to die for you.
If you want to come after him, you need to ...
Jesus then calls the crowd to him and addresses them. He speaks of following him and says, "If any man would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Jesus, in this text, defines what being a follower of his is all about. This is important for us today. The time has come for us to commit even more to following him.
The first step is to deny yourself -- to no longer live for yourself, making your own wants and wishes the center of your life. You recognize that you are not the center of the universe. That may be a hard thing for some. To mature in your walk with the Lord means "what you want" doesn't really matter much. It is a surrender of your rights to a higher calling.
The second step is to take up a cross. The idea here is that you are willing to be identified and even suffer with the Lord Jesus Christ. A mark of a mature believer is his or her willingness to be identified with Christ. In our current culture, that is becoming more and more dicey. Politically, to call oneself a Christian can be devastating. Newspaper columnists and editorials continually denounce those who call themselves "Conservative Christians." They use derisive terms like the "radical religious right" to denote those who believe in the sanctity of life and creation. Can you believe it? Those who believe that God created our world and those who believe that life is a gift from God are branded as dangerous to our culture. It will take fortitude on our part to take a stand, but we must. We cannot hide our faith in any area of our lives. If you are a Christian, then do not be ashamed of it in your workplace. Do not hide it from your family. Do not keep it hidden from your friends. I am not saying you should become obnoxious in what you do for Christ, but I am saying Christians can come out of the closet. It may cost us, but if we are to grow, we must be willing to take up that cross.
Third, Jesus says, "Follow me." Jesus knew that he was ultimately going to die on a cross. His followers would have to be willing to make that same journey. To follow in Jesus' footsteps is not easy. It is a life of self-sacrifice. It is a life of giving and putting others first. That is the lifestyle of a mature believer. To grow in Christ, you must make the conscious decision to follow him. It means knowing and reading his word. It means spending time in prayer. It means having a real relationship with him.
The challenge before us is great. The times in which we live are tough. To meet the challenge of our day, we must commit more deeply to Jesus Christ.
There is nothing more important than your relationship with the Lord
Jesus notes in the final verses of this chapter, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?" The impetus of these verses is that there is nothing more important than your relationship with Jesus Christ. "What can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Is there anything you cherish more than Jesus Christ? The rich, young ruler of Matthew 19 cherished money more than following Christ. We all see the futility of that and yet we give these excuses: "My job is pretty important...." "I can't give up my car...." "I can dress how I want, watch what I want, do what I want...." There are many things that take the place of Jesus Christ.
Think for a moment. What is your most valuable treasure? There could be a lot of answers to that question. Picture that treasure in your mind. Now, place Jesus beside that treasure. Which is more important? We say Jesus, but do we live that way?
Conclusion
His destiny was to die so that you might live. Will you die so that he can live through you?
Suggested Songs And Hymns
"Let Jesus Come Into Your Heart"
"Revive Us Again"
"I Will Serve Thee"
Thought/Discussion Questions
1. Who do you say Jesus is? What does that mean? Historically? Personally?
2. What does it mean to "deny self"? In what areas can/should you do that? Why?
3. What does it mean to "carry a cross"? How can you identify that you know Jesus?
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If you want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
Lesson Objective: At the end of this lesson, all those attending will recognize what it means to follow Jesus and what is "expected" of them.
Prayer Focus: Pray that each one attending or reading might see the price that was paid for him/her. Pray that each one might accept Jesus Christ as Lord.
Background
In chapter 8 of Mark, we find Jesus and the disciples coming to Bethsaida. There they meet a blind man. Jesus heals the man and sends him home with the words, "Don't go into the village." Then, Jesus and the disciples are walking through the villages of Caesarea Philippi. While they walk, Jesus asks them an important question: "Who do people say I am?"
That's the key question: "Who is Jesus, and what do his responses mean?" Let's take a look.
Lesson
A minister at a small country church wanted to make some much needed improvements and suggested that the church buy a chandelier. The church, though, voted it down. The minister was frustrated and asked, "Why didn't you want a chandelier?" A spokesman stood to speak. "First, no one can spell it. Second, no one can play it. Third, what we really need is more light."
There are times when we misunderstand what is being asked of us. In this text, we find the disciples being told of Jesus' destiny and their own. It is a challenging text as we consider his destiny ... and ours.
Jesus is the Christ
"Who do the people say I am?" The disciples reply, "Some say John the Baptist and others Elijah and still others another prophet." Jesus, though, isn't finished. "Who do you say I am?" There is the crucial question. It is the question for the ages. What do you do with Jesus Christ? Who is he and what does he mean?
Amazingly enough, that question is still asked today. There are many who still aren't sure what to do with Jesus. To some, he is still one of the prophets. There are some that equate Jesus with "great" religious leaders: Mohammed, Buddha, Joseph Smith, and others. There are some who want to completely dismiss him as myth or legend. In their minds, he is the same as Paul Bunyan or Zeus. There are some who simply choose not to think of him at all. The inescapable truth is, though, that you will have to answer that question.
"Who do you say I am?" Peter was ready. He spoke on behalf of the others. "You are the Christ." A simple, yet profound statement. That term, "Christ," isn't used much in Mark's gospel and even less by Jesus himself. It has political and national connotations in the Jewish mind. It is the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew term, "Messiah." Peter is acknowledging here that Jesus is "The Chosen One." He is the one to come. He is the Savior and Redeemer. For the first time in this gospel, the disciples are beginning to understand.
What about you? Who is Jesus to you?
Jesus knew and taught that his destiny was death
After this discussion with the disciples, Jesus begins to teach them that he must suffer and die and then rise again. Though the disciples may have had some understanding of who he was, they could not, at this point, grasp this destiny. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. Jesus, though, would not be deterred. "Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God but the things of men."
Jesus was fully aware of his life's mission and work. The cross did not surprise Jesus. Some have suggested that Jesus was not fully aware of his identity until his life was complete. That, though, doesn't seem to be the case according to the scriptures. We see here that he knew the cross was ahead. Peter, though, could not comprehend that the Messiah would die, especially in such a horrible fashion. It just couldn't be.
Jesus would not be tricked. He knew that the voice behind Peter's words were those of his adversary, Satan. Satan continued to try to get Jesus away from his mission of redemption. If he could have convinced Jesus not to die, then he would have won. Jesus didn't take the bait. He was faithful, even unto death.
What does this mean to you? It is the heart of the gospel. Jesus loved you enough to die for you.
If you want to come after him, you need to ...
Jesus then calls the crowd to him and addresses them. He speaks of following him and says, "If any man would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Jesus, in this text, defines what being a follower of his is all about. This is important for us today. The time has come for us to commit even more to following him.
The first step is to deny yourself -- to no longer live for yourself, making your own wants and wishes the center of your life. You recognize that you are not the center of the universe. That may be a hard thing for some. To mature in your walk with the Lord means "what you want" doesn't really matter much. It is a surrender of your rights to a higher calling.
The second step is to take up a cross. The idea here is that you are willing to be identified and even suffer with the Lord Jesus Christ. A mark of a mature believer is his or her willingness to be identified with Christ. In our current culture, that is becoming more and more dicey. Politically, to call oneself a Christian can be devastating. Newspaper columnists and editorials continually denounce those who call themselves "Conservative Christians." They use derisive terms like the "radical religious right" to denote those who believe in the sanctity of life and creation. Can you believe it? Those who believe that God created our world and those who believe that life is a gift from God are branded as dangerous to our culture. It will take fortitude on our part to take a stand, but we must. We cannot hide our faith in any area of our lives. If you are a Christian, then do not be ashamed of it in your workplace. Do not hide it from your family. Do not keep it hidden from your friends. I am not saying you should become obnoxious in what you do for Christ, but I am saying Christians can come out of the closet. It may cost us, but if we are to grow, we must be willing to take up that cross.
Third, Jesus says, "Follow me." Jesus knew that he was ultimately going to die on a cross. His followers would have to be willing to make that same journey. To follow in Jesus' footsteps is not easy. It is a life of self-sacrifice. It is a life of giving and putting others first. That is the lifestyle of a mature believer. To grow in Christ, you must make the conscious decision to follow him. It means knowing and reading his word. It means spending time in prayer. It means having a real relationship with him.
The challenge before us is great. The times in which we live are tough. To meet the challenge of our day, we must commit more deeply to Jesus Christ.
There is nothing more important than your relationship with the Lord
Jesus notes in the final verses of this chapter, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?" The impetus of these verses is that there is nothing more important than your relationship with Jesus Christ. "What can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Is there anything you cherish more than Jesus Christ? The rich, young ruler of Matthew 19 cherished money more than following Christ. We all see the futility of that and yet we give these excuses: "My job is pretty important...." "I can't give up my car...." "I can dress how I want, watch what I want, do what I want...." There are many things that take the place of Jesus Christ.
Think for a moment. What is your most valuable treasure? There could be a lot of answers to that question. Picture that treasure in your mind. Now, place Jesus beside that treasure. Which is more important? We say Jesus, but do we live that way?
Conclusion
His destiny was to die so that you might live. Will you die so that he can live through you?
Suggested Songs And Hymns
"Let Jesus Come Into Your Heart"
"Revive Us Again"
"I Will Serve Thee"
Thought/Discussion Questions
1. Who do you say Jesus is? What does that mean? Historically? Personally?
2. What does it mean to "deny self"? In what areas can/should you do that? Why?
3. What does it mean to "carry a cross"? How can you identify that you know Jesus?
