WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.819 Well, good morning, church. 00:00:04.320 --> 00:00:05.700 I'm so glad to be here. 00:00:05.780 --> 00:00:09.759 Just in case you didn't hear my name before, it's Pastor Dan Nelson of the Grove Church. 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:12.320 And I'm thankful to be here with my brothers and sisters. 00:00:12.620 --> 00:00:18.620 And I'm thankful for the partnership in which you guys have joined in on in planting us in Union Grove. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:20.800 It has been amazing. 00:00:20.980 --> 00:00:23.240 I'm just thinking of the Thanksgiving prayer for 2024. 00:00:23.239 --> 00:00:30.939 And just it has been amazing to see what the Lord has done in my family's lives, in the partnership with Christ the King, 00:00:31.059 --> 00:00:33.920 and the gospel opportunities that we are already having in Union Grove. 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:37.759 And I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your partnership in that. 00:00:37.839 --> 00:00:38.739 It makes it possible. 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:39.820 So thank you. 00:00:41.379 --> 00:00:44.899 Now, many of you don't know me, and that's okay. 00:00:45.599 --> 00:00:51.700 But if you talk to my wife, one of the first things she would tell you about me is that I am a giant softie. 00:00:51.700 --> 00:01:02.200 I mean, any good, actually it doesn't even have to be good, any hallmark level movie that pulls on the right heart strings is probably going to get me to cry. 00:01:03.660 --> 00:01:07.579 Which, you kind of look at me, I'm a bigger guy, that might surprise you a little bit, right? 00:01:08.579 --> 00:01:15.439 It's so bad that, in fact, one time I was going through Instagram and just kind of looking at different videos and seeing what was on there, 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:20.740 that one time I came across a young child, clearly in a doctor's office. 00:01:20.739 --> 00:01:22.839 And this child couldn't have been more than two. 00:01:24.179 --> 00:01:28.739 And all of a sudden, the doctor goes and puts some glasses on this little girl. 00:01:29.819 --> 00:01:37.659 And you could see the moment the glasses were on and over her ears that her whole world just lit up. 00:01:39.039 --> 00:01:45.379 Someone that was born without the ability to see was given the ability to see. 00:01:45.379 --> 00:01:53.219 This little girl, for the very first time, is witnessing all of the beauty that we all know that she was missing out on. 00:01:54.479 --> 00:01:57.479 Now, funny enough, this is a rabbit hole in social media. 00:01:57.579 --> 00:01:59.379 There are tons and tons of these videos. 00:02:00.099 --> 00:02:02.399 I just checked last week to make sure that they're still going. 00:02:02.479 --> 00:02:03.019 They're still there. 00:02:03.319 --> 00:02:05.239 So if you want, you can go look for them and you can find them. 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:16.139 There's something beautiful about a daughter seeing her mother and father for the first time and just lighting up and smiling. 00:02:16.139 --> 00:02:22.399 Up until this point in her life, she had been looking at this blurry vision, 00:02:22.899 --> 00:02:30.599 this blurry, colorful blob in front of her that would talk with her and feed her and change her and play with her. 00:02:31.099 --> 00:02:34.000 But in the moment that she's given glasses to see, 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:42.639 she's able to see for the first time this person that has been caring for her, loving her, playing with her, 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:46.860 and her world is completely changed in that moment. 00:02:47.620 --> 00:02:56.460 This voice that was just blurry is now seen in the full beauty and full detail and depth which was fully intended from the beginning. 00:02:56.460 --> 00:03:05.780 And in today's passage, we will actually see that Jesus gives spiritual sight to his disciples. 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:11.939 He gives them glasses to see so they can clearly understand who he is. 00:03:12.740 --> 00:03:15.939 This journey today begins with partial sight. 00:03:16.540 --> 00:03:19.000 And it progresses to a deeper revelation. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:29.080 And it ultimately ends with a challenge to embrace the costly cost of discipleship in sight of his coming kingdom. 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:35.719 Our passage today is in Mark chapter 8, 22 through 9, 1. 00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:40.180 So if you turn there with me in preparation for reading, that would be wonderful. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:43.580 Mark 8, 22 through 9, 1. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:46.939 Now this is the turning point of the gospel of Mark. 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:54.840 Mark, up until this point, Jesus has been demonstrating his power through miracles and healings and teachings 00:03:54.840 --> 00:03:57.620 and ultimately his authoritative teaching. 00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:03.719 But now here, at this point, he is going to reveal his true mission. 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:07.860 His true mission as the suffering Messiah. 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:14.599 And he calls his disciples to follow him down a very unexpected path. 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:23.959 The disciples are invited to see clearly, follow courageously, and to live with eternal priorities. 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:28.159 And this invitation is for us today as well. 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:37.100 Jesus calls us to see him, to follow him completely, and to prioritize his eternal kingdom. 00:04:38.339 --> 00:04:40.319 Let me read God's word for us. 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:44.159 It says this in Mark 8, 22 through 9, 1. 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:13.659 He laid his hands on his eyes again, and he opened his eyes. 00:05:14.339 --> 00:05:17.939 His sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 00:05:18.659 --> 00:05:20.500 And he sent him to his home saying, 00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:22.779 Do not even enter the village. 00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:27.680 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:29.980 And on the way, he asked his disciples, 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:32.279 Who do people say that I am? 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:33.879 And they told him, 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:36.839 And others say Elijah. 00:05:37.399 --> 00:05:38.819 And others say one of the prophets. 00:05:39.859 --> 00:05:40.500 And he asked them, 00:05:41.239 --> 00:05:43.259 But who do you say that I am? 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:44.739 Peter answered him, 00:05:45.219 --> 00:05:45.919 You are the Christ. 00:05:47.059 --> 00:05:49.859 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. 00:05:50.659 --> 00:05:54.399 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, 00:05:54.479 --> 00:05:57.779 and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, 00:05:57.839 --> 00:05:58.839 and be killed. 00:05:59.559 --> 00:06:01.539 And after three days, rise again. 00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:04.159 And he said this plainly. 00:06:05.099 --> 00:06:07.639 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 00:06:08.479 --> 00:06:10.219 But turning and seeing his disciples, 00:06:10.659 --> 00:06:12.379 he rebuked Peter and said, 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:14.279 Get behind me, Satan. 00:06:15.539 --> 00:06:17.759 For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, 00:06:17.819 --> 00:06:19.439 but on the things of man. 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:23.119 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:23.879 he said to them, 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:26.139 If anyone would come after me, 00:06:26.219 --> 00:06:27.539 let him deny himself, 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:28.939 and take up his cross, 00:06:29.019 --> 00:06:29.899 and follow me. 00:06:29.899 --> 00:06:33.979 For whoever would save his life will lose it. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:36.819 But whoever loses his life for my sake, 00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:37.759 and the gospels, 00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:39.099 will save it. 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:42.579 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, 00:06:42.659 --> 00:06:43.779 and forfeit his soul? 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:47.379 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 00:06:47.379 --> 00:06:49.939 For whoever is ashamed of me, 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:50.959 and of my words, 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:51.959 in this adulterous, 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:53.360 and sinful generation, 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:54.519 of him, 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:57.019 will the son of man also be ashamed, 00:06:57.120 --> 00:06:59.259 when he comes in the glory of his father, 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:00.719 with the holy angels. 00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:02.379 And he said to them, 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:04.420 Truly I say to you, 00:07:04.899 --> 00:07:06.240 there are some standing here, 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:07.500 who will not taste death, 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:10.180 until they see the kingdom of God, 00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:11.659 after it has come, 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:12.800 with power. 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:14.540 This is the word of the Lord. 00:07:17.840 --> 00:07:19.259 The word of God this morning, 00:07:19.259 --> 00:07:22.259 is shaped around Jesus' response, 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:24.160 to the disciples' bickering. 00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:26.180 Right before this, 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:26.520 they're saying, 00:07:26.780 --> 00:07:27.720 there isn't enough bread. 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:30.360 And Jesus responds to them, 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:30.900 and says, 00:07:31.340 --> 00:07:33.319 Do you not perceive or understand? 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:35.420 Are your hearts hardened? 00:07:36.160 --> 00:07:36.740 Having eyes, 00:07:36.840 --> 00:07:38.199 do you not see? 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:39.900 Having eyes, 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:40.620 having ears, 00:07:40.840 --> 00:07:42.000 do you not hear? 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:45.560 Do you not yet understand? 00:07:47.220 --> 00:07:48.400 And then Jesus goes on, 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:50.420 and exposes who he is, 00:07:50.699 --> 00:07:52.259 and how he should be seen, 00:07:52.660 --> 00:07:54.079 through these three scenes, 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:55.680 that we have in this morning's text. 00:07:56.480 --> 00:07:58.259 Each scene deals with, 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:00.120 seeing or witnessing, 00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:02.580 and it has a contrasting moment, 00:08:02.660 --> 00:08:04.040 between partial sight, 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.720 and full sight. 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:08.199 The first scene contrasts, 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:09.460 partial physical sight, 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:10.400 with full, 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:11.540 high definition, 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:12.740 physical sight. 00:08:13.460 --> 00:08:13.699 Right? 00:08:13.840 --> 00:08:15.199 The baby girl without glasses, 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:17.240 the baby girl with glasses. 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:19.439 And the second shows, 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:21.639 partial spiritual sight, 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:24.340 against spiritually defined, 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:26.319 spiritual sight. 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:27.780 And lastly, 00:08:27.900 --> 00:08:29.439 we see that disciples are called, 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:30.720 to live their lives, 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:32.680 with their eyes focused, 00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:33.740 on heaven, 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:35.080 not earth. 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:38.040 The first scene, 00:08:38.040 --> 00:08:39.280 which is in verses 22, 00:08:39.280 --> 00:08:40.259 through 26, 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:42.460 occurs in Bethsaida. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:44.060 And it exposes, 00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:45.920 the progressive nature, 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:47.120 of sight. 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:49.400 Jesus shows us, 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:50.639 the progressive nature, 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:51.060 of sight, 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:51.620 when people, 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:53.220 bring him a blind man. 00:08:53.660 --> 00:08:54.480 They beg him, 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:55.520 to touch the man, 00:08:55.680 --> 00:08:56.720 and to heal him. 00:08:57.720 --> 00:08:58.460 Now Jesus does, 00:08:58.460 --> 00:08:59.700 something unusual here. 00:08:59.700 --> 00:09:03.300 He takes the blind man, 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:05.080 out of the village, 00:09:05.920 --> 00:09:06.960 away from the crowds. 00:09:07.140 --> 00:09:08.680 Now that's not quite abnormal, 00:09:08.820 --> 00:09:10.040 because he does a lot of miracles, 00:09:10.040 --> 00:09:11.420 outside the sight, 00:09:11.780 --> 00:09:12.440 of crowds. 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:14.140 But what is strange, 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:15.980 is he performs this healing, 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:17.300 in two stages. 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:18.599 First, 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:20.939 Jesus spits on the man's eyes, 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:22.779 and lays his hands on him. 00:09:23.599 --> 00:09:24.879 And when he asks the man, 00:09:24.959 --> 00:09:25.459 if he can see, 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:26.279 the man responds, 00:09:26.779 --> 00:09:27.659 I see people, 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:29.120 but they look like trees, 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:29.799 walking. 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:31.699 Now the healing here, 00:09:31.839 --> 00:09:32.819 is incomplete. 00:09:34.199 --> 00:09:35.259 Jesus lays his hands, 00:09:35.299 --> 00:09:36.240 on the man's eyes again, 00:09:36.319 --> 00:09:36.819 and this time, 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:38.099 the man's sight, 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:39.299 is fully restored, 00:09:39.479 --> 00:09:40.019 and he sees, 00:09:40.019 --> 00:09:41.299 everything clearly. 00:09:42.939 --> 00:09:43.939 Why does Jesus, 00:09:44.179 --> 00:09:44.719 heal this man, 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:45.359 in stages? 00:09:46.359 --> 00:09:47.099 This is the question, 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:47.779 we should be asking, 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:49.200 when we come to a text like this, 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.700 that is so clearly different, 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:51.899 than what he's been doing, 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:52.159 right? 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.259 Every other miracle, 00:09:54.320 --> 00:09:54.980 in Mark's gospel, 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:57.019 has happened instantaneously, 00:09:57.379 --> 00:09:58.460 up until this point. 00:09:59.180 --> 00:10:00.480 This progressive healing, 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:01.580 is intentional. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.000 It is serving, 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:04.000 as a parable, 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:04.740 for the disciples, 00:10:05.040 --> 00:10:05.840 spiritual journey. 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:07.440 They have seen, 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:08.639 Jesus perform miracles, 00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:09.779 calm storms, 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:11.320 and even raise the dead. 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:13.120 They have heard his teaching, 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:14.220 witnessed his authority, 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:15.519 and yet their understanding, 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:17.060 of who Jesus is, 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:18.720 is actually incomplete. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:20.200 It's blurry, 00:10:20.659 --> 00:10:22.399 like trees walking. 00:10:23.460 --> 00:10:25.200 This two-stage healing, 00:10:25.540 --> 00:10:27.659 illustrates the gradual process, 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:30.000 of coming to understand Jesus. 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:32.060 Spiritual sight, 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:34.100 often comes in stages. 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:36.399 We may see glimpses, 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:37.340 of Jesus' power, 00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:38.040 and grace, 00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:38.860 but our understanding, 00:10:38.940 --> 00:10:39.779 remains partial, 00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:40.980 until he brings, 00:10:41.040 --> 00:10:42.320 a greater clarity. 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:42.440 humility. 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:44.879 This should be, 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:45.600 an invitation, 00:10:46.160 --> 00:10:46.820 to humility. 00:10:48.140 --> 00:10:49.220 To recognize, 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:50.760 that we all need Jesus, 00:10:51.160 --> 00:10:52.580 to touch our eyes, 00:10:52.660 --> 00:10:53.500 and help us see, 00:10:53.940 --> 00:10:54.560 more clearly. 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:56.400 Continually. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:10:58.520 Now, 00:10:58.600 --> 00:10:59.560 over these last few months, 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:00.720 as I've started ministry, 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.500 in Union Grove, 00:11:01.560 --> 00:11:02.280 I have had, 00:11:02.680 --> 00:11:03.340 some wonderful, 00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:03.900 fun, 00:11:04.260 --> 00:11:05.440 and sometimes difficult, 00:11:05.760 --> 00:11:06.860 theological conversations, 00:11:06.860 --> 00:11:07.980 with many people, 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:09.180 in Union Grove. 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:10.899 Some with those, 00:11:10.940 --> 00:11:11.300 that believe, 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.340 and some with those, 00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:13.820 that are still seeking, 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:15.519 but maybe don't know, 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:16.919 that they're still seeking. 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:17.759 Maybe they, 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:19.100 attended a church, 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:19.580 or maybe they were, 00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:20.860 catechized as a child, 00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:21.759 or whatever. 00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:22.500 Maybe they grew up, 00:11:22.560 --> 00:11:23.060 in some sort of, 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:24.460 a church family, 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:25.899 so they understand, 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:27.039 who Jesus is, 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:27.480 but they don't, 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:29.360 know who Jesus is, 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:30.019 in their heart. 00:11:30.139 --> 00:11:30.419 They don't, 00:11:30.539 --> 00:11:32.159 follow Jesus. 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:34.439 And I'm convinced, 00:11:34.579 --> 00:11:35.500 from these conversations, 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:36.120 and honestly, 00:11:36.459 --> 00:11:37.480 in my own walk, 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:37.839 with the Lord, 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:39.100 that there are always, 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:40.559 areas of our spiritual vision, 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:41.639 that are blurry, 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:43.360 like walking trees. 00:11:44.339 --> 00:11:46.019 In my own testimony, 00:11:46.319 --> 00:11:47.259 I grew up, 00:11:47.319 --> 00:11:48.860 in a Christian household, 00:11:49.079 --> 00:11:50.120 with a grandfather, 00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:51.240 that was a pastor, 00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:52.759 and who discipled me, 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:53.620 as a young child, 00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:55.339 and I went to Christian camps, 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:56.339 and I went to church, 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:57.100 and I attended, 00:11:57.179 --> 00:11:57.899 a Christian school, 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:59.199 until I was in the fourth grade. 00:11:59.360 --> 00:11:59.419 Like, 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:01.620 I knew the story, 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:02.379 of the Bible, 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.080 and I knew, 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:04.440 who Jesus was. 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:05.240 Right? 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:06.360 I could proclaim, 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:07.960 he's the Messiah. 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:09.919 I could do that. 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:11.759 And yet, 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:13.980 it wasn't so much later, 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:14.840 in my life, 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:16.399 that I actually had, 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:17.679 full vision, 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:18.940 full sight. 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:20.960 God ultimately, 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:21.600 revealed, 00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:22.799 who he was to me, 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:24.720 through Wistosha Lakes Church, 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:25.700 through the preaching there. 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:26.919 Church, 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.659 about 20 minutes, 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:28.139 east of here, 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:28.639 30 minutes, 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:29.080 east of here, 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:29.360 or so. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:31.639 And I remember it, 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:32.340 so vividly, 00:12:32.419 --> 00:12:33.500 that I went from, 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:35.259 I know who God is, 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:38.480 to I know, 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:39.379 the Messiah. 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:41.120 And I know, 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:41.940 that I need him, 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:43.240 because ultimately, 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:44.720 I am a sinner. 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:46.639 And I need the sacrifice, 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:48.700 that Jesus is going to tell, 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:49.899 his disciples about here, 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:50.560 in just a moment. 00:12:52.060 --> 00:12:53.019 And if you're looking, 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:53.720 towards Jesus, 00:12:54.560 --> 00:12:55.500 maybe your vision, 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.320 is a bit blurry. 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:59.020 You might have an idea, 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:00.320 you might think you have an idea, 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:01.220 of what you're looking at, 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:03.120 but you aren't quite certain. 00:13:04.160 --> 00:13:05.140 When you have questions, 00:13:05.300 --> 00:13:05.820 and doubts, 00:13:06.680 --> 00:13:07.900 let this passage, 00:13:08.060 --> 00:13:09.420 actually be an encouragement, 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:10.420 to you. 00:13:11.260 --> 00:13:12.040 Because Jesus, 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.540 is patient. 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:15.400 And he shows it, 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:16.420 with his disciples here. 00:13:17.300 --> 00:13:18.300 He invites us, 00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:19.260 all to come closer, 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:19.879 so that he can, 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:21.240 touch our eyes, 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:22.340 and give us sight, 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:24.260 of who he really is. 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.299 And that is true, 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:27.340 for my beloved brothers, 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:28.100 and sisters here, 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:29.500 that already believe, 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:30.360 in Jesus. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:32.319 But that is also true, 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:33.819 of those that haven't yet, 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.679 found Jesus, 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:36.860 or see him clearly. 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:38.200 And he wants, 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:39.580 you to see him fully, 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:41.159 and to know his perfect life, 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.120 his death, 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:43.000 on the cross, 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:43.860 and his resurrection. 00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:45.860 Jesus, 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:47.439 progressively heals, 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:48.279 the blind man, 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:48.980 to illustrate, 00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:50.019 our need, 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.179 for clear, 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:51.960 spiritual, 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:52.879 vision. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:55.919 Now in, 00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:58.319 verses 27 to 33, 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:58.740 we see, 00:13:59.039 --> 00:13:59.740 after the healing, 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:00.819 of Bethsaida, 00:14:00.939 --> 00:14:02.240 Jesus takes his disciples, 00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:03.039 on a journey, 00:14:03.439 --> 00:14:03.960 to the villages, 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:05.220 of Caesarea Philippi. 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:06.559 On the way, 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.299 he asks them, 00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:08.939 a crucial question. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:11.000 Who do people say, 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:11.580 that I am? 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:13.460 The disciples respond, 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.340 with various opinions, 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:14.840 circulating, 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:15.799 among the crowds. 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:16.759 Some say, 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:17.419 John the Baptist, 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:18.200 others say, 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:18.659 Elijah, 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:19.559 some say, 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:20.460 just another prophet. 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.159 Jesus gets, 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:23.200 a little bit more pointed, 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:24.059 a little bit more sharp, 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:24.319 right? 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:24.939 I love him, 00:14:24.959 --> 00:14:25.500 when he does this, 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:25.859 when he just, 00:14:25.939 --> 00:14:26.779 he gets in, 00:14:26.839 --> 00:14:27.019 he's like, 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:27.139 no, 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:27.219 no, 00:14:27.219 --> 00:14:27.299 no, 00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:27.939 let's get to the truth, 00:14:27.959 --> 00:14:28.379 of the matter. 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.699 Who do you say, 00:14:31.059 --> 00:14:31.699 that I am, 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:32.779 my disciples? 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:35.239 Peter answers, 00:14:36.079 --> 00:14:36.759 you are, 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:37.639 the Christ. 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:40.599 In verses 27 to 33, 00:14:40.719 --> 00:14:41.519 this second scene, 00:14:41.619 --> 00:14:42.599 is framed around, 00:14:42.959 --> 00:14:43.359 Peter's, 00:14:43.719 --> 00:14:44.599 dual confession, 00:14:45.439 --> 00:14:46.159 and Jesus's, 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:46.659 correction, 00:14:47.699 --> 00:14:48.159 of Peter. 00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:49.839 He acknowledges, 00:14:49.839 --> 00:14:50.679 that Jesus is, 00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:51.119 the Messiah, 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:52.179 the anointed one, 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:52.719 of God. 00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:55.019 This is a significant moment, 00:14:55.599 --> 00:14:55.819 right? 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:57.719 The disciples are beginning 00:14:57.719 --> 00:14:59.019 to see Jesus, 00:14:59.359 --> 00:15:00.019 more clearly. 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:01.819 But, 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.939 we very quickly see, 00:15:04.099 --> 00:15:04.639 that this witness, 00:15:04.839 --> 00:15:06.639 is still not clear. 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.259 He still doesn't have, 00:15:08.339 --> 00:15:09.719 quite the clear vision. 00:15:10.699 --> 00:15:11.699 The truth in the middle, 00:15:11.819 --> 00:15:12.579 of that confession, 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.379 and correction, 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:14.199 is essential. 00:15:14.739 --> 00:15:15.199 And it's actually, 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:15.819 the center point, 00:15:15.819 --> 00:15:16.459 of this text. 00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:18.340 Jesus immediately, 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:19.500 begins to teach them, 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:21.360 that the Son of Man, 00:15:21.420 --> 00:15:22.300 this is verse 31, 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.460 the Son of Man, 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.700 must suffer many things, 00:15:24.800 --> 00:15:25.400 and be rejected, 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:26.100 by the elders, 00:15:26.400 --> 00:15:27.300 and the chief priests, 00:15:27.420 --> 00:15:28.259 and the scribes, 00:15:28.300 --> 00:15:29.040 and be killed. 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.519 And after three days, 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.460 rise again. 00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:33.320 Peter, 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.320 in this moment, 00:15:34.400 --> 00:15:35.200 is unable, 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:35.900 to reconcile, 00:15:35.900 --> 00:15:37.000 this suffering, 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.860 with his understanding, 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:40.440 of who the Messiah is. 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:41.480 And so, 00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:43.120 he takes Jesus aside, 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:45.160 and he rebukes him. 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:47.759 Peter's rebuke, 00:15:47.839 --> 00:15:49.559 is his second confession. 00:15:50.219 --> 00:15:50.980 And it actually, 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:51.659 is revealing, 00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:52.839 his own misunderstanding. 00:15:53.959 --> 00:15:55.079 He sees Jesus, 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.179 as the Christ, 00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:57.399 but he cannot, 00:15:57.579 --> 00:15:58.959 accept a suffering, 00:15:59.600 --> 00:15:59.939 Christ. 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.459 Peter, 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:02.480 like all Jews, 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:03.319 until this point, 00:16:03.559 --> 00:16:04.100 expected, 00:16:04.299 --> 00:16:05.159 a traditional, 00:16:05.719 --> 00:16:05.980 king. 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.919 A commanding, 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:08.779 Christ, 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:10.079 who would topple, 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:10.759 Rome politically, 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:11.839 and rule, 00:16:11.959 --> 00:16:12.899 in a very human, 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.639 understanding, 00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:14.539 of conquering, 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:15.719 and kingdoms. 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:19.019 Like the blind man, 00:16:19.819 --> 00:16:21.000 who saw people, 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.000 like trees, 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:22.480 walking, 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.259 Peter's vision, 00:16:24.339 --> 00:16:24.839 of Jesus, 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:25.639 was still, 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:26.559 blurry. 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:28.419 Jesus, 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:28.899 Peter, 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.439 wanted, 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.719 a triumphant, 00:16:31.219 --> 00:16:31.699 Messiah, 00:16:32.459 --> 00:16:33.959 not a suffering, 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:34.759 servant. 00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:37.000 I don't want to, 00:16:37.199 --> 00:16:37.759 blow by that. 00:16:38.219 --> 00:16:38.919 Peter wanted, 00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:40.099 a triumphant, 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:40.959 Messiah, 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:42.620 not a suffering, 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.340 servant. 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:44.740 This is, 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:46.100 the paradigm shift, 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.720 of the gospel of Mark. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:49.980 Jesus came, 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:51.060 onto the scene, 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:52.740 and proclaimed, 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.399 the kingdom is here, 00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:56.019 I am the king, 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.159 follow me. 00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:59.200 It's Mark 1, 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.340 and following. 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.440 And now, 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:03.560 Jesus is proclaiming, 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:04.900 I must suffer, 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.799 be rejected, 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.599 and be killed. 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:11.500 The most significant part, 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:11.859 Peter, 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.099 clearly misses. 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.679 He says, 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:16.299 after three days, 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.579 he will rise, 00:17:17.679 --> 00:17:18.379 from the dead, 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:20.019 defeating death, 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.159 and sin. 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.019 Jesus says, 00:17:23.199 --> 00:17:24.299 I'm coming back, 00:17:24.699 --> 00:17:26.259 and I'm coming back, 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.419 triumphantly. 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:30.319 Peter does not see, 00:17:30.459 --> 00:17:31.039 the suffering, 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:31.799 Messiah, 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.959 that sits, 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.179 before his very eyes. 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:34.820 Jesus, 00:17:34.820 --> 00:17:37.019 Jesus corrects, 00:17:37.019 --> 00:17:38.200 Peter sharply. 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:40.060 This is in verse 33, 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:40.360 he says, 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:42.039 get behind me, 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:42.460 Satan. 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:45.120 I can't imagine, 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:45.940 a friend, 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.240 saying that to me. 00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:48.200 Could you imagine, 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.460 your God, 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.900 saying that to you? 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:54.259 For you are not, 00:17:54.580 --> 00:17:55.320 setting your mind, 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:56.539 on the things of God, 00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:57.600 but on the things, 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.660 of man. 00:17:58.660 --> 00:17:59.660 Peter, 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:00.720 Peter, 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.980 actively tried, 00:18:02.060 --> 00:18:02.920 to stop Jesus, 00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:03.840 from suffering, 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.840 and he unknowingly, 00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:06.800 was opposing, 00:18:07.040 --> 00:18:07.740 the plan, 00:18:08.340 --> 00:18:08.960 of God. 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:12.360 Jesus explains, 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.140 that his suffering, 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.740 is the only way, 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:15.700 to defeat Satan, 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:17.300 and rebukes Peter, 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.920 just as he did, 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.580 to the devil, 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.420 in the wilderness. 00:18:21.860 --> 00:18:22.700 Peter's misunderstanding, 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:23.860 of Jesus' mission, 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:25.380 shows how human, 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:25.920 thinking, 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.560 can conflict, 00:18:28.040 --> 00:18:28.640 with God's purpose. 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:28.980 purposes. 00:18:30.580 --> 00:18:31.779 And we all do it. 00:18:33.040 --> 00:18:34.100 When disciples, 00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:36.060 when brothers, 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.180 and sisters in Christ, 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:37.900 when we, 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.740 try to take, 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.540 control, 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.700 instead of following Jesus, 00:18:41.040 --> 00:18:42.080 we actively, 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.519 oppose God's will, 00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:44.120 the same way, 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:44.880 Peter does here. 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:46.779 For Peter, 00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:48.000 Jesus' death, 00:18:48.080 --> 00:18:48.940 seems impossible. 00:18:50.060 --> 00:18:51.000 But for Jesus, 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:51.840 it is, 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.180 essential. 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.380 He needs, 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.080 to see Jesus, 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.060 not only as Christ, 00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:57.660 but as the, 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:59.340 suffering Christ, 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.600 who will lay down, 00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:01.580 his life, 00:19:02.040 --> 00:19:02.700 for the salvation, 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:03.779 of many. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.040 He's just not quite there. 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:09.060 We are invited, 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:10.279 to see the same thing. 00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:12.400 Peter's struggle, 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.000 is one, 00:19:13.040 --> 00:19:14.380 that we all face. 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.940 Many are drawn, 00:19:17.040 --> 00:19:17.560 to the power, 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.360 and authority, 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.560 of Christ, 00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:20.320 and Jesus, 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:22.159 but find his suffering, 00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:23.839 and the call, 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.980 to follow him, 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.960 in sacrifice, 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:27.220 much harder, 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.279 to accept. 00:19:29.679 --> 00:19:31.179 Jesus invites us, 00:19:31.179 --> 00:19:31.839 to see, 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.079 the whole picture. 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.000 His suffering, 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.359 was necessary, 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:38.240 to bring salvation. 00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:40.980 Do you see, 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:43.859 all that he has, 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.339 sacrificed, 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:45.799 for you? 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:48.599 Do you see, 00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:50.180 how he suffered, 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.099 for you? 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:54.399 Will you, 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.339 embrace him, 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:56.200 as the savior, 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:57.799 who gave, 00:19:57.879 --> 00:19:58.960 everything up, 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.339 for you? 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:03.480 Jesus calls, 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:04.599 us to see him, 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:06.240 as the suffering, 00:20:06.879 --> 00:20:07.279 Messiah. 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.899 That's what we see, 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.859 in the second scene. 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:12.319 Now, 00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:13.240 after correcting, 00:20:13.939 --> 00:20:14.299 Peter, 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.500 Jesus, 00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:17.319 emphasizes, 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.459 his needs to suffer, 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.639 his need to suffer. 00:20:20.919 --> 00:20:21.559 And then, 00:20:21.659 --> 00:20:22.459 Jesus calls, 00:20:22.459 --> 00:20:23.439 the crowd to him, 00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:25.479 along with his disciples, 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.139 and he begins, 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.839 to teach them, 00:20:26.939 --> 00:20:27.919 about the true nature, 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.159 or cost, 00:20:29.459 --> 00:20:30.319 of discipleship. 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:32.019 In verse 34, 00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:32.939 through 9-1, 00:20:33.179 --> 00:20:34.179 we're going to see this, 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:34.819 but I'm going to read, 00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:36.019 verse 34 for us, 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.299 where it says, 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.219 if anyone, 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.459 would come after me, 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:40.720 let him deny himself, 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:42.039 and take up his cross, 00:20:42.100 --> 00:20:42.920 and follow me. 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.600 This third, 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.539 and final scene, 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.279 of the text, 00:20:46.840 --> 00:20:47.240 34, 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.340 through 9-1, 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.160 shows us, 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:50.079 that the path, 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:51.160 of discipleship, 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.220 is costly, 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.019 but it leads, 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.079 to glory. 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.579 Let me repeat that. 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:57.640 The path, 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.539 of discipleship, 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.360 is costly, 00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:00.740 but it leads, 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:01.880 to glory. 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.299 Now, 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:04.000 this is the heart, 00:21:04.100 --> 00:21:05.000 of Jesus' call, 00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:05.860 to his followers. 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.759 Discipleship, 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.720 is not, 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.759 about power, 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.879 or prestige, 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:12.839 or status. 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.720 It is about, 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:17.000 self-denial, 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:19.240 and sacrifice, 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:21.180 and following Jesus, 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:22.660 even to the point, 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.819 of suffering, 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:25.539 as he did on the cross. 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.359 Jesus suffered, 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:29.599 for his kingdom. 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.980 He was rejected, 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.200 as king, 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.099 and now, 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.079 we are called, 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.019 to follow him, 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:36.980 entirely. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.920 in that suffering. 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.920 The imagery, 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.779 in this text, 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.859 of taking one's up cross, 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.500 would have been, 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.259 shocking, 00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:46.920 to Jesus' listeners. 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:48.700 We might, 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:50.140 have watered that down, 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.799 over time, 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:51.460 because we see, 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.420 the cross, 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:53.200 as a symbol, 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:54.279 of hope. 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:56.039 But I promise you, 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:56.839 these people, 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:58.279 did not see the cross, 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.619 as a sign of hope, 00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:00.559 at that time. 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.200 It was a sign, 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:02.779 and symbol, 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.720 of execution, 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.140 shame, 00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:06.520 and suffering, 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.500 only meant, 00:22:07.780 --> 00:22:08.759 for the lowest, 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.660 of low, 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:11.000 criminal scum, 00:22:12.060 --> 00:22:12.660 that the world, 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.259 had to offer, 00:22:13.340 --> 00:22:13.800 at that time. 00:22:15.560 --> 00:22:16.000 Jesus, 00:22:16.300 --> 00:22:17.000 is calling, 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:17.759 his followers, 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:19.120 to embrace, 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.300 the way, 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.800 of the cross. 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.200 The call, 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:24.880 to suffer, 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.680 to die, 00:22:26.780 --> 00:22:27.480 to themselves, 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:28.580 to die, 00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:29.440 to their desires, 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.500 and to die, 00:22:30.620 --> 00:22:31.720 to their agendas, 00:22:31.840 --> 00:22:32.600 in order to follow, 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:34.340 God's agenda, 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.220 and plan. 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.080 He continues, 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.059 in verse 35, 00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:39.460 and he says, 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.460 for whoever, 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.720 would save his life, 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.460 will lose it. 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:43.840 But whoever, 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.900 loses his life, 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.640 for my sake, 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.640 and the gospels, 00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:48.279 will save it. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.180 True life, 00:22:51.080 --> 00:22:51.660 when you hear this, 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.340 true life, 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.799 is not found, 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.059 in self-preservation, 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:57.420 but in self-surrender, 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:58.519 to Jesus, 00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.860 and his mission. 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.680 Let me say that again. 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:02.960 True life, 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.600 is found, 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:05.660 not in self-preservation, 00:23:06.300 --> 00:23:07.500 but in self-surrender, 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.440 to Jesus, 00:23:09.120 --> 00:23:09.820 and his mission. 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:11.460 Jesus, 00:23:11.580 --> 00:23:12.140 suffered, 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.240 for the gospel. 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.519 He suffered, 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.420 for his name. 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:16.660 He suffered, 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:18.440 for his own words. 00:23:19.060 --> 00:23:19.940 He suffered, 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:21.279 for the gospel. 00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:23.700 The call, 00:23:23.820 --> 00:23:24.440 brothers and sisters, 00:23:24.580 --> 00:23:25.420 is not simply, 00:23:26.060 --> 00:23:26.519 to be, 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.879 good people. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:31.139 It is to follow him. 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:33.059 It is to live, 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:33.779 your life, 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.859 for the sake of Jesus. 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.200 And as Jesus, 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:37.420 points out explicitly, 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.680 in 835, 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:40.319 give your life, 00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:41.139 for the gospel. 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.980 Lose your life, 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.980 for the gospel. 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.619 Some of you, 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.220 might be going, 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.220 to a place of, 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:51.240 but Dan, 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:51.960 I'm not called, 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:52.740 to be a missionary, 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.700 to that tribe, 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.539 that might spear me, 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:54.920 to death, 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.900 as I go into the Amazon. 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:56.660 Right? 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.120 You might be going, 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:58.200 to these extreme images, 00:23:58.340 --> 00:23:59.380 of I'm not called, 00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:00.420 to be a Bonhoeffer. 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.160 I'm not called, 00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:02.280 that's not what I'm called, 00:24:02.280 --> 00:24:02.680 to be. 00:24:04.540 --> 00:24:04.860 Right? 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.519 But each, 00:24:06.560 --> 00:24:07.460 and every one of us, 00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:08.580 in our day-to-day lives, 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:09.220 in our jobs, 00:24:09.320 --> 00:24:09.880 in our families, 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.640 in our homes, 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.759 in the workplace, 00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:13.620 in the places you go shopping, 00:24:14.040 --> 00:24:15.040 in the places you go, 00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:15.840 to pay your bills, 00:24:16.040 --> 00:24:17.300 we are all called, 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.460 to live with the gospel, 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.620 at the front of our mind, 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.060 life, 00:24:20.320 --> 00:24:20.660 hands, 00:24:20.860 --> 00:24:21.140 mouth, 00:24:21.320 --> 00:24:21.540 feet, 00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:22.100 and tongue. 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:25.359 every one of us, 00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:25.819 are called, 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:27.379 to put the gospel forth. 00:24:28.219 --> 00:24:29.199 And every decision, 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:30.339 we ever make, 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.599 should be made, 00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:32.659 in the lens of, 00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:34.059 how does this help me, 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:35.219 move the gospel forward? 00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:38.799 Jesus says, 00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:39.759 in verse 36, 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:40.079 he says, 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.799 for what does it profit a man, 00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:42.980 to gain the whole world, 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.799 and forfeit his soul? 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.939 The cost of following Jesus, 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:48.500 is high, 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:51.199 but the cost of not following him, 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:53.000 is infinitely higher. 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:55.240 To gain the world, 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:56.240 but lose one's soul, 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:58.019 is an ultimate tragedy. 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.859 Do not chase, 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:02.259 the world's priorities, 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.199 of success, 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.220 comfort, 00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:05.379 and power. 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:07.740 Value your soul, 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:09.000 and the souls of others, 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.240 over the world's view, 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:10.700 of you. 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:13.140 And answer Jesus's invitation, 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.099 to live, 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.119 with eternal, 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:15.900 kingdom, 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:16.880 priorities. 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.339 That means, 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.619 when you're saying, 00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:22.460 I've got this job opportunity, 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.259 your first question, 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:24.920 should not be, 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.940 what's the title, 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.799 what's the money? 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.140 I've been there. 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.059 God does provide, 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.859 for us financially. 00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:32.859 I'm not saying, 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.339 he doesn't. 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.220 But the question, 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.140 that should be ingrained, 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:36.980 in every decision, 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.700 we ever make is, 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:38.980 how is this helping me, 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.920 move the gospel forward? 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:42.319 How can I use this, 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.099 for God, 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.059 and his kingdom? 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:47.460 Jesus ends this teaching, 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.200 with a promise. 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:49.319 He says, 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.700 truly I say to you, 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.460 this is Mark 9, 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:51.700 1. 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:51.980 He says, 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.240 truly I say to you, 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.680 there are some standing here, 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.059 who will not taste death, 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.059 until they see, 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:58.119 the kingdom of God, 00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:59.779 after it has come, 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.880 with power. 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.920 Now this statement, 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.759 points us forward, 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:04.740 to the coming, 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.500 manifestation, 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:06.779 of God's kingdom. 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:06.859 kingdom. 00:26:07.899 --> 00:26:08.180 Right? 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.440 It points us towards, 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.700 Jesus' resurrection, 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.200 the spread of the gospel, 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:13.059 through the early church, 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:14.039 and ultimately, 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.480 the eternal kingdom. 00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:17.839 The promise, 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:18.920 of the coming kingdom, 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:20.379 should encourage, 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.139 us, 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:23.339 as we face, 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.019 the cost, 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.180 of following Jesus. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.579 It should encourage, 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.139 the crowd, 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:28.299 that Jesus was talking to. 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:29.500 It should encourage, 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.099 the disciples, 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.559 who just found out, 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.440 that the Messiah, 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.200 they've been following, 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.559 is not a conquering king, 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.700 right there in that moment, 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:37.039 but a suffering Messiah, 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:37.879 that they will follow, 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.599 to the cross. 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.059 And most of you know, 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:41.039 the stories of the disciples. 00:26:41.859 --> 00:26:42.419 They suffered. 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.240 They truly suffered. 00:26:45.419 --> 00:26:46.079 Brothers and sisters, 00:26:46.159 --> 00:26:46.599 we should have, 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.559 great confidence, 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:49.240 and we should be encouraged, 00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:50.480 and more importantly, 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.839 be emboldened, 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.059 to follow Jesus. 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:55.259 Knowing that all, 00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:56.000 he promised, 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.119 has happened. 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.700 And the promise, 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.779 of his return, 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:01.379 will as well. 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:02.639 Jesus, 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:04.440 will return. 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:06.480 The path, 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.139 of discipleship, 00:27:07.179 --> 00:27:07.720 is costly. 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:09.319 It may be marked, 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:09.919 by suffering, 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.919 but it ultimately, 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:12.159 leads to the glorious, 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.179 return of Christ, 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.679 and our ascension, 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.339 into heaven, 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.099 and the new earth, 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:16.819 and the new creation. 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:18.599 And we can, 00:27:18.919 --> 00:27:19.659 bank on that. 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:23.200 Jesus is honest, 00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:24.119 about the cost, 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.000 of following him. 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.740 It is not, 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:27.599 an easy path, 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:29.000 but it is the path, 00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:29.740 to true, 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:31.039 and eternal life. 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.500 What, 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:35.180 are you holding on to, 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.759 that keeps you, 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.740 from surrendering, 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:39.579 and following Jesus fully? 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:42.000 He invites you, 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.400 to surrender it, 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:45.099 and find life, 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.140 in him. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.900 Jesus' invitation, 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:49.680 to follow him, 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.200 is not, 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.740 just about sacrifice, 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.299 but it is about, 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:53.799 gaining, 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.339 the kingdom of God, 00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.039 as we just, 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.680 talked about. 00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:58.600 He offers you, 00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.240 a share, 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.440 in his eternal, 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.220 kingdom, 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.799 a hope, 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:04.000 that transcends, 00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:04.740 his life. 00:28:06.580 --> 00:28:07.799 Will you accept, 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:08.779 his invitation? 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.840 If you do, 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.340 you will be, 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.440 a co-heir, 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:15.420 in the kingdom of God, 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:17.019 with Jesus Christ. 00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:20.080 Brothers, 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.580 and sisters, 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:21.680 what does it mean, 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.700 for you to take up, 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.380 your cross, 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.539 and follow Jesus? 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.259 Where, 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.440 where, 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:28.000 is Jesus calling you, 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:29.000 to deny yourself, 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:31.339 to surrender your desires, 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:33.099 or embrace suffering, 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.460 for his sake? 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.200 Remember, 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.899 Jesus' call, 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.659 to self-denial, 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.759 is not a call, 00:28:39.899 --> 00:28:40.379 to misery, 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:42.319 but to true life, 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:44.000 life that can only, 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:44.559 be found, 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:45.619 in him. 00:28:46.899 --> 00:28:47.440 How, 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.139 does the promise, 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:49.139 of the coming kingdom, 00:28:49.339 --> 00:28:49.879 motivate you, 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.639 to endure, 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:51.899 discipleship? 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:55.340 Fix your eyes, 00:28:55.340 --> 00:28:56.320 on the hope of Jesus, 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.180 his return, 00:28:58.840 --> 00:28:59.460 and the glory, 00:28:59.600 --> 00:28:59.960 that awaits, 00:29:00.040 --> 00:29:01.019 those who follow him. 00:29:02.380 --> 00:29:03.720 It'll all be worth it. 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:06.060 It'll all be worth it. 00:29:06.780 --> 00:29:07.280 The kingdom, 00:29:07.280 --> 00:29:08.180 of God, 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:09.000 is coming, 00:29:09.080 --> 00:29:09.740 in power, 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:10.840 and those, 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.960 who follow Jesus, 00:29:12.580 --> 00:29:13.480 will share, 00:29:14.040 --> 00:29:14.820 in his ultimate, 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.720 eternal, 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:16.759 victory. 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:19.019 The path, 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:19.660 of discipleship, 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.180 is costly, 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.460 but it leads, 00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:22.079 to glory, 00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:24.140 beyond our imagination. 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:25.700 That's what, 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.319 the third scene, 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:26.980 shows us. 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.140 Glory, 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:29.279 beyond imagination. 00:29:31.879 --> 00:29:32.740 Through Mark, 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.019 8, 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:33.440 22, 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.400 9 through 1, 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.359 we have been called, 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.559 to see something. 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.619 We've been called, 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.480 to see Jesus, 00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:43.440 as our suffering, 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.319 Messiah, 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:44.399 Messiah, 00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:46.119 to follow him, 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:46.879 sacrificially, 00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:47.939 and to live, 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.319 for his eternal kingdom, 00:29:49.679 --> 00:29:50.599 above all else. 00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:52.519 We're invited, 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:53.599 to see Jesus clearly, 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.720 to understand, 00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:55.700 who he truly is, 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.619 and to respond, 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:57.519 in faith, 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.419 and obedience. 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:00.480 Like the blind man, 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.000 at Bethsaida, 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:02.059 we all need Jesus, 00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:03.319 to touch our eyes, 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.159 and give us sight. 00:30:04.899 --> 00:30:05.659 Like Peter, 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.799 we may have glimpses, 00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:07.819 of Jesus's identity, 00:30:08.159 --> 00:30:08.759 but struggle, 00:30:08.939 --> 00:30:09.460 to accept, 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.220 the full picture, 00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:10.899 of his mission, 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.539 as the suffering Messiah. 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:14.599 And like the crowd, 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.779 we are called, 00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:17.059 to count to the cost, 00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:18.279 of following Jesus, 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.879 to take up our cross, 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:20.759 and to live with, 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:22.059 eternal kingdom, 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:23.139 priorities. 00:30:25.659 --> 00:30:26.440 Now the Dan Nelson, 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:28.639 that knew Jesus, 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.480 because he grew up, 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.420 in a Christian home, 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.159 but didn't actually, 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:33.200 fully see Jesus. 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:35.039 Never thought, 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:35.819 he would be standing, 00:30:35.899 --> 00:30:36.500 where he's standing. 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:37.099 Never thought, 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.059 that he'd be proclaiming, 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.460 the gospel, 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.259 in the way I'm proclaiming, 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:39.639 the gospel. 00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:41.539 I thought I knew Jesus. 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:43.920 But it actually, 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:45.579 took the hand of God, 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:47.059 to come into my life, 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.099 and to reveal, 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:49.200 who he really was. 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.960 And when he did that, 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.460 he revealed, 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.440 who I was. 00:30:55.619 --> 00:30:56.139 A sinner. 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.920 In need, 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.779 of the suffering, 00:30:59.359 --> 00:30:59.720 Messiah. 00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:02.200 We are invited, 00:31:02.399 --> 00:31:03.500 to see Jesus clearly, 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.740 to understand, 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:05.859 who he truly is, 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.539 and to respond, 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.559 in faith obedience. 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:12.259 Like Peter, 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.279 we may have glimpses, 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:14.240 of Jesus' identity, 00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:15.579 but we struggle, 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:16.200 to accept, 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:16.919 the full picture. 00:31:18.659 --> 00:31:18.940 Jesus, 00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:19.720 is, 00:31:20.399 --> 00:31:20.759 patient. 00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.279 Remember that. 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:24.220 He invites you, 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:25.000 to come closer, 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.419 to ask your questions, 00:31:26.659 --> 00:31:27.480 and to let him, 00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:28.559 reveal himself, 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.399 to you. 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:30.919 Questions, 00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:31.839 are not bad. 00:31:33.139 --> 00:31:34.019 And I know, 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.740 your pastor, 00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:35.579 would love, 00:31:35.659 --> 00:31:36.179 and your elders, 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:36.839 would love, 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:37.500 to answer, 00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:38.240 any questions, 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:39.059 you may have, 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.699 about seeing Jesus. 00:31:42.639 --> 00:31:43.500 Following Jesus, 00:31:43.639 --> 00:31:44.279 is costly, 00:31:44.419 --> 00:31:45.159 but it does lead, 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.859 to true life, 00:31:46.179 --> 00:31:47.119 and our hope, 00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:49.259 is focused, 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.539 on his eternal kingdom. 00:31:51.419 --> 00:31:51.639 Today, 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.519 Jesus invites you, 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:53.240 to see him clearly, 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.159 and to follow him. 00:31:54.879 --> 00:31:55.619 The passage, 00:31:55.959 --> 00:31:56.659 ultimately teaches, 00:31:56.659 --> 00:31:57.419 this simple truth, 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.000 and here it is. 00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:00.659 It's kind of a long thing, 00:32:00.699 --> 00:32:01.319 for a simple truth, 00:32:01.419 --> 00:32:01.899 but hopefully, 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.859 you get that it is simple. 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.859 To confess, 00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:05.859 Jesus, 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:07.919 is to embrace, 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:08.859 a new identity. 00:32:10.679 --> 00:32:11.179 Acknowledging, 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:12.599 who he is, 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:14.179 while surrendering, 00:32:14.619 --> 00:32:16.139 to who you are meant to be. 00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:18.279 His disciple. 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:21.539 When you proclaim Jesus, 00:32:22.379 --> 00:32:23.399 you're proclaiming, 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:24.799 I am a sinner, 00:32:24.919 --> 00:32:25.539 in need of a savior, 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:28.119 and I am your disciple, 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:29.659 and I will follow you. 00:32:30.899 --> 00:32:32.240 Do you see, 00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:32.879 Jesus, 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:34.179 our suffering Messiah? 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:35.860 Do you follow him, 00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.600 sacrificially, 00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:38.539 and live for his eternal kingdom, 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.740 above all else? 00:32:40.560 --> 00:32:41.720 If you confess Jesus, 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.640 then you must, 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.920 live a life, 00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:44.840 surrendered, 00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:46.100 to him. 00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:49.400 See Jesus, 00:32:50.340 --> 00:32:51.340 live for him, 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:53.140 and keep your eye, 00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:54.220 on his kingdom. 00:32:55.360 --> 00:32:56.120 Let us pray. 00:32:56.119 --> 00:33:02.359 Lord Jesus, 00:33:02.479 --> 00:33:03.179 we thank you. 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:04.679 We thank you, 00:33:04.679 --> 00:33:05.579 for revealing yourself, 00:33:05.679 --> 00:33:06.039 to us, 00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:06.799 in your word. 00:33:07.919 --> 00:33:08.739 We confess, 00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:09.699 that our vision, 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:11.159 can often be blurry, 00:33:11.939 --> 00:33:12.959 that we struggle, 00:33:13.079 --> 00:33:14.000 to see you clearly, 00:33:14.139 --> 00:33:14.919 and to understand, 00:33:15.159 --> 00:33:15.659 your ways. 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:17.959 Father God, 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.479 for my brothers, 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:18.939 and sisters, 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:19.599 we thank you, 00:33:19.639 --> 00:33:20.359 that you have touched, 00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:20.899 our eyes, 00:33:20.959 --> 00:33:21.819 and given us sight, 00:33:21.879 --> 00:33:23.159 of you as the suffering Messiah. 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:24.860 And we ask, 00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.640 that you continually, 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:26.940 touch our eyes again, 00:33:27.040 --> 00:33:27.220 Lord, 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:28.600 to give us clarity, 00:33:28.600 --> 00:33:29.120 of sight, 00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:30.000 to see you, 00:33:30.100 --> 00:33:31.019 as the Christ, 00:33:31.120 --> 00:33:32.040 so that we will continue, 00:33:32.040 --> 00:33:32.980 to follow you, 00:33:33.080 --> 00:33:33.740 in your suffering. 00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:35.880 Father, 00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:36.720 I pray for those, 00:33:36.840 --> 00:33:37.340 not yet, 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:38.120 brothers and sisters, 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.640 in the room, 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.440 that have not yet, 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:40.000 been touched, 00:33:40.140 --> 00:33:41.060 that have not yet, 00:33:41.060 --> 00:33:41.840 been given sight. 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:42.900 I pray, 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.980 that you would come down, 00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:44.580 on them, 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:46.019 and that they would see you, 00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:46.960 for who you are. 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.920 And that they would understand, 00:33:49.040 --> 00:33:49.680 what that says, 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.279 about them. 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:52.399 You are, 00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:54.079 the suffering Messiah, 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:55.139 who laid down his life, 00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:55.559 for us. 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:56.920 Lord, 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.359 give us, 00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:58.960 courage to take up our cross, 00:33:59.039 --> 00:33:59.859 to deny ourselves, 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.759 and to follow you, 00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:02.299 trusting that the path, 00:34:02.339 --> 00:34:03.119 of discipleship, 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:04.639 leads to true life. 00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:06.240 May we live, 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:07.859 with eternal kingdom priorities, 00:34:08.279 --> 00:34:09.779 valuing our souls, 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.940 and the souls of others, 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:12.039 above all else, 00:34:12.259 --> 00:34:13.579 and fixing our hope, 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:15.019 on your coming kingdom. 00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:17.019 It is in Jesus' name, 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:17.599 that we pray, 00:34:17.779 --> 00:34:18.619 and by your spirit, 00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:19.219 that this work, 00:34:19.300 --> 00:34:19.719 will be done. 00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:20.660 Amen.