Climbing Calvary
class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'>1) 5-17-09…AM…SBC 2)“Climbing Calvary”
Mark 8:11-9:1
Introduction: (Source: Living the Cross Centered Life – Mahaney)
Ø Let me begin this morning with a quote from John Stott :
“The Cross is the blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled, but we have to get near enough for its sparks to fall on us.”
1- At the core of all that we spend energy doing, all the various responsibilities, all the ministry that is done in the name of Christ…one overarching truth should motivate all we do—Christ died for our sins – 1 Cor 15:3
2- Not even the pursuit of things biblical or honorable are of equal or greater value than God sent His Son to the cross to bear His wrath for sinners like you and me.
3- CJ Mahaney said in his book “Living the Cross Centered Life,”
“If there’s anything we should be passionate about, it’s the gospel. And I don’t mean passionate only about sharing it with others; I mean passionate in thinking about the Gospel, reflecting upon it, rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world and all of life.”
4- The Gospel is History’s only essential message—yet thousands of Christians life their life entire lives not clearly understanding it or the joy in living by it, and we must not be counted in that number
5- That is why want to call to our attention this morning the greatest of all subjects—the cross of Christ
6- What you will hear today are not overhyped promises of a preacher wanting to convince you why you should stay awake—They are God’s precious promises to those who live in the sparks of the cross.
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Proposition:As Christians, we must never move on from the cross, but only into a more profound understanding of it.
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Ø Set the stage by summarizing v11-26
1- This passage begins with the Pharisees debating with Jesus. They wished to test Him, to get Him to prove the source of His authority[1] by showing them unmistakable evidence that He and His mission were from God
2- Asking for still another sign was clearly an insult. It implied that the miracles already performed were insufficient as credentials.[2]
· Our Lord’s response was one of deep grief and disappointment (see Mark 7:34). How tragic that the religious leaders of God’s chosen people should be so hardhearted and spiritually blind! [3]
3- Jesus left them and crossed to the east side of the Sea of Galilee, and en route taught His disciples an important spiritual lesson.[4] – It appears that they were almost as blind as the Pharisees v15
4- Jesus healing of this blind mind was in stages (unique) and illustrated the disciples gradual move toward clarity in understanding who Jesus was
Application:
1- What more do you need?—the prophecy is there—the miracles are there—have faith (A. Judson quote on pride)
2- Is just a little sin (leaven) ok for you? (v15)– entertainment - movies, TV, - beware of the subtle corruption
3- Are you more concerned with the earthly situations around you then on the spiritual battle for your heart? (v16)
· house cleaned—lawn mowed—laundry folded—honey do list done—the battle for your heart goes unchecked
· What is your spiritual condition? How would you put that on a scale of 1-10? How has the scale moved?
Transition: After being accused of not seeing Christ clearly, Jesus teaches the disciples on…
1) The Cost of discipleship 8:27-91
Ø Jesus goes through the region occupied mostly by Gentiles – he is now up north in Caes. Philippi / Mt Hermon
Ø On the way Jesus engaged the disciples in theology – He asked His class a leading question 27-30
A- Peter’s Confession:
2- There is after all only one basic question in life: Who is Jesus? On our answer to that depends our eternal future.[5]
3- In general the crowds believed that Jesus was a very prominent messenger from God, that he was someone who had died and in the person of Jesus had risen from the dead.[6]
4- Jesus now draw the disciples into a personal decision of who they believe He is – Peter answers in v29b
· On the one hand, Peter’s confession went beyond that of the crowds. Jesus was the promised Messiah/Christ. On the other hand, the next section shows that Peter and the other disciples did not understand what kind of Messiah Jesus was.[7] – a suffering Messiah instead of a military conqueror
· He commanded silence because of the kind of Messiah He was going to be – a suffering Messiah (Isaiah)
Ø After Peter’s declaration on behalf of the Twelve, Mark’s narrative is oriented toward the Cross and the Resurrection.[8]
Ø From now on, the underlying double question was, “What kind of Messiah is He, and what does it mean to follow Him?” [9]
Ø This crucial passage is the point to which the first half of the book leads and from which the second half proceeds.[10]
B- The Cross v31-33
Ø Their open confession of Him at this point (John 1:41, 51) was necessary because people in general were failing to discern His true identity, the religious leaders were strongly opposed to Him, and He was about to give the disciples additional revelation about Himself that would have costly implications for them. It was essential that the question of His identity be firmly settled. This affirmation of faith in Jesus was the anchor of their discipleship despite their temporary failures and defections[11] - it was necessary for Jesus to now teach what it meant to be the Christ
1- There is new content to His teaching (v31)– suffer—rejected—killed—resurrected—no parables—clarity
2- Peter vocally scolded Jesus’ mission and selfishly wanted to stand in the way of God’s redemptive plan
3- Not concerned about God’s mission for the Messiah, Peter centered on the consequences to himself and the other disciples should Jesus die
Transition: While they were still in shock over His terrifying prediction, Jesus teaches the disciples about…
2) Cross Centered Living v34-38
A- Two Requirements v34
(put off)
1- “deny himself” –say farewell to the old self, not asceticism, renouncing self-supremacy
2- “take up his cross” – (put on)
§ It pictured a condemned man—forced to submit to Rome by carrying part of his cross[12]
§ This demonstrated public submission/obedience to the authority previously rebelled against[13]
§ The concept should never be cheapened by applying it to enduring some irritation[14]
§ It is self-denial, involving a willingness to give up everything dear in life and even life itself.[15]
B- v35 Jesus’ warning is for those who are afraid to follow Him and want to cling to their lives
§ Paradox - you will die regardless of how you try to “save your own skin”
§ One who decides to live a self-centered life in this world by refusing Jesus’ requirements will ultimately lose his life to eternal ruin.[16]
§ Conversely a person who gives His life over to Christ will actually preserve it forever
C- v36-37 - The answer: Nothing, because having “gained the world” he has in the end irrevocably lost eternal life with God, with nothing to compensate for it.[17] – you will still be void of spiritual life
D- v38 - Those who reject the demands of discipleship prove themselves to be ashamed of Jesus Christ and the truth He taught, thus not redeemed from sin at all.[18]
§ these stern words of warning are not without comfort and hope (various views) 9:1
Conclusion/Application:
1- Many believe in the deity and salvation of Christ and even acknowledge to be sinners in need of salvation, but that does not make one a Christian
· “What must I do to be saved?” One must make a personal response to Christ and commit to Him unreservedly as their Lord and Savior
· There can not be a following without a previous forsaking – inner surrender of everything that is 1st
2- The most critical segment of this narrative is Jesus’ teaching on His death and the cost of discipleship
A- Never let the cross and it’s influence on your life ever become 2nd or 3rd place
B- Disciples must not only renounce sin, but also the self-will that is at the very root of every act of sin
C- We are to disown ourselves the same way Peter disowned Christ – “I do not know the man.”
D- Discipleship is a matter of profit and loss, a question of whether we will waste our lives or invest our lives.[19]
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[1]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:137.
[2]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 10, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 315.
[3]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, "An Exposition of the New Testament Comprising the Entire 'BE' Series"--Jkt. (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989), Mk 8:10.
[4]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, "An Exposition of the New Testament Comprising the Entire 'BE' Series"--Jkt. (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989), Mk 8:10.
[5]D. A. Carson, New Bible Commentary : 21st Century Edition, Rev. Ed. of: The New Bible Commentary. 3rd Ed. / Edited by D. Guthrie, J.A. Motyer. 1970., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), Mk 8:27.
[6]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 10, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 324.
[7]James A. Brooks, vol. 23, Mark, electronic e., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991), 135.
[8]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:139.
[9]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:139.
[10]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:139.
[11]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:139.
[12]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:141.
[13]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:141.
[14]James A. Brooks, vol. 23, Mark, electronic e., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991), 137.
[15]James A. Brooks, vol. 23, Mark, electronic e., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991), 137.
[16]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:141.
[17]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:141.
[18]John Jr MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, electronic ed. (Nashville: Word Pub., 1997, c1997), Mk 8:38.
[19]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, "An Exposition of the New Testament Comprising the Entire 'BE' Series"--Jkt. (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989), Mk 8:27.