The Servant of Jehovah

Four Elements of the Christian Life  Mar_8:22-38

The Lord Jesus has just finished a time of ministry in the Decapolis area and is now coming to Beshsaida. We see in this passage:

1. The Lord Jesus healing the blind man brought to Him

2. The Lord Jesus asking the question, "Whom do men say that I am?"

3. The Lord Jesus revealing His plan for redemption - the cross

4. The Lord Jesus being scolded by and then scolding Peter

5. The Lord Jesus setting down the requirements to follow Him

We will focus on verses 34-38 while drawing our conclusions from the rest of the context and the rest of the Scriptures. We will notice the following statements the Lord Jesus makes about those who truly follow Him.

1. The Christian life is a life of denial.

2. The Christian life is a life of death.

3. The Christian life is a life with dividends.

4. The Christian life is a life of discipleship.

I. The Christian life is a life of denial.   Mar_8:34

A. To follow Christ is to deny yourself.

B. To follow Christ is to deny your own self-worth and self-reliance.

C. To follow Christ is to deny your own future plans.

II. The Christian life is a life of death.   Mar_8:35

A. To save your life is to lose it.

B. To lose your life is to save it.

C. We are to do it for Christ's sake and the Gospel's.

III. The Christian life is a good deal.   Mar_8:36-37

A. This is a matter of profit and loss.

1. You gain your soul's eternal joy in Heaven with the Lord.

2. You give up your own life, ambitions, sorrows and sins.

B. There is no profit in gaining the whole world and losing your own soul.

1. The rich man in Hell surely thought it was a bad deal.  (Luke 16)

2. We will face God some day.   (Heb 9:27)

C. What would you give in exchange for your soul?

IV. The Christian life is a life of discipleship.  Mar_8:38

A. We are not ashamed to call Him our Lord and Master.  

1. He gives sight to the blinded eyes, physically and spiritually.   Mar_8:22-26

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2. He is the Christ, the Anointed One of God.   Mar_8:27-30

Acts 2:36-38

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

3. He is the One who died on the cross, was buried, and rose again for our salvation.   Mar_8:31-33

1Co 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

a. Satan does not want this message to be heard.

b. Satan will even use Believers to try to silence this message.

B. Is He ashamed of you?

Conclusion: Are you truly saved? Are your life choices more important to you than the Savior? Are you willing to deny yourself to follow the Savior? Are you ashamed to name the name of Christ? Have you truly lost your life to save it?

Thank You for visiting this site. If we can be of help in any way, please do not hesitate to ask. Much Blessings on you and yours, Dr. Joseph A.Carson Northland Baptist Ministries