A Higher Purpose

October 8, 2023
Pastor Jack

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Mark 8:31-38

And he began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things and to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be killed, and after three days to rise. And he was speaking openly about the subject, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning around and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan, because you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but the things of people!” And summoning the crowd together with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him 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 on account of me and of the gospel will save it. For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a person give in exchange for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Culture Shock

Verses 31-38

  • There is a buzz of excitement that has built around Jesus
  • Culture has assumed thus far, that if you are around Jesus, you are rewarded
    • Water into wine
    • Healing
    • Miraculous feeding and provision
  • The Jewish people are looking for a conquering Messiah to defeat Rome
  • Jesus suddenly introduces Himself as a suffering Servant
  • Peter cannot stand for this and speaks up to “correct” Jesus

Questions for Reflection

  • Do we ever have this attitude - like Peter, do we ever feel the need to “correct” Jesus?
  • Do we ever choose what we think is best, rather than simply being obedient to the Father?
  • What is this attitude called? Hint: S I N
  • What does sin do?
    • Seperates us from the Father
    • Brings death (Genesis - God kills an animal to cover man’s sin)
    • Jesus has announced that He will die and after three days, rise again!
  • What does Jesus tell Peter?
  • What must we do to follow Jesus?
  • Are you taking up your cross?
  • Are you following Him?

Church: be focussed, be diligent, deny yourself!

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