WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.839
 So let's begin together reading Mark chapter 8, beginning in verse 31.

00:00:08.599 --> 00:00:19.420
 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed and after three days rise again.

00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:22.019
 And he said this plainly.

00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:24.839
 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:29.820
 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, get behind me, Satan.

00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:34.840
 For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.

00:00:35.820 --> 00:00:44.620
 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:47.579
 For whoever would save his life will lose it.

00:00:47.879 --> 00:00:51.920
 But whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospels will save it.

00:00:52.400 --> 00:00:56.560
 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

00:00:56.560 --> 00:01:00.160
 For what can a man give in return for his soul?

00:01:00.660 --> 00:01:11.659
 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:14.519
 This is God's word to us.

00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:17.879
 It was written for his glory and for our good.

00:01:18.479 --> 00:01:24.379
 We would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands.

00:01:24.799 --> 00:01:25.579
 Let's pray together.

00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:31.599
 Father God, we do thank you this morning for your word.

00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:39.659
 Written so many years ago, having meaning and purpose then that carries now to the present.

00:01:40.780 --> 00:01:49.019
 Thank you, Father, for the church, for this blessed gathering of those who are yours, that we might come and minister to one another.

00:01:49.019 --> 00:01:56.140
 And I pray, Father, that in these next minutes, that you will love on us through the preaching of your word.

00:01:57.159 --> 00:02:05.859
 As I was asked before I came up here, if I was ready, I'm desperate, which I believe makes me most ready to preach your word.

00:02:05.939 --> 00:02:09.800
 So please come and speak to us in power from your scriptures.

00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:13.719
 And we pray this in the precious, exalted name of Christ.

00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:15.159
 Amen.

00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:15.319
 Amen.

00:02:17.099 --> 00:02:25.419
 So we have thus far, beginning in Mark chapter 1, preached up through to the second half of Mark chapter 8.

00:02:25.519 --> 00:02:28.000
 And Mark has really sped us along up until this point.

00:02:28.319 --> 00:02:34.300
 We've seen primarily Jesus ministering in the region of Galilee to the northwest of the Sea of Galilee.

00:02:34.519 --> 00:02:38.359
 And he's been transitioning away from that now for about a chapter.

00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:44.240
 And we see him in verse 22 coming to a town called Bethsaida, which is on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee.

00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:53.140
 And now moving off to some villages of the area of Caesarea Philippi, which was north of, about three days journey north of the Sea of Galilee.

00:02:53.379 --> 00:03:00.540
 He's getting ready to begin his journey to Jerusalem, to his final destination, to the cross.

00:03:00.680 --> 00:03:12.360
 And he's really beginning to turn his attention now to the disciples and to the process of teaching them what it is the kingdom of God is going to look like when it comes in power.

00:03:12.360 --> 00:03:21.660
 Last week we looked at the amazing observation as Peter, as a spokesman of the disciples, as he makes the proclamation,

00:03:22.320 --> 00:03:24.660
 You are the Christ.

00:03:25.040 --> 00:03:27.820
 That is the anointed one of God.

00:03:27.940 --> 00:03:37.180
 He seems to get to some degree who it is Jesus is and what all the things he's been doing mean that he is the anointed one of God.

00:03:37.180 --> 00:03:41.379
 Yet, he still misunderstands.

00:03:41.400 --> 00:03:45.840
 He has yet to entirely catch up to all the implications of this.

00:03:46.180 --> 00:03:53.219
 And the evidence of this is that Jesus begins to tell him what that means, beginning in verse 31.

00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:56.980
 It means that he'll come and he'll suffer and he'll die.

00:03:57.240 --> 00:04:03.020
 He'll serve the world in a much different way than the Jews thought he was coming to serve the world.

00:04:03.020 --> 00:04:06.520
 You see, Peter had bought into the cultural misconception.

00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:14.420
 It wasn't uncommon for Jews of this day to think that Christ would come and reign on earth militarily and politically.

00:04:15.200 --> 00:04:22.180
 This understanding, in some sense, rightly comes from passages like Isaiah 9, 6, and 7, which says,

00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:52.160
 You see, they got in part that Jesus was going to come and he was going to establish peace.

00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:53.620
 That he was going to rule with justice.

00:04:53.620 --> 00:04:55.420
 That he was going to sit on the throne of David.

00:04:55.460 --> 00:04:58.100
 But they thought this was going to happen in the temporal realm.

00:04:58.180 --> 00:05:02.560
 They thought that he was going to come and sit on a physical throne in their day.

00:05:02.640 --> 00:05:04.160
 That he was going to overthrow Rome.

00:05:04.780 --> 00:05:07.160
 That he was going to restore them to their future glory.

00:05:07.900 --> 00:05:14.040
 And they missed that what Jesus was going to come and do was going to be accomplished primarily in the spiritual realm.

00:05:15.820 --> 00:05:21.780
 Peter wanted Jesus to take the way of power, which is why he rebukes him.

00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:24.000
 Don't say such a thing of the Christ.

00:05:24.100 --> 00:05:27.980
 Don't say that he would go and suffer and be rejected and die.

00:05:28.220 --> 00:05:29.660
 Don't say such a thing.

00:05:30.700 --> 00:05:34.320
 But Jesus then turns back to him and rebukes him.

00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:36.140
 Calls him Satan.

00:05:36.320 --> 00:05:41.340
 And it's not believed here that Peter was actually Satan or that he was in any way possessed by Satan.

00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:45.600
 He was being the very mouthpiece of Satan.

00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:49.580
 Satan also wanted Jesus to take the way of power.

00:05:49.740 --> 00:05:51.260
 Speaking humanistically here.

00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:54.040
 The visible, what we can see of power.

00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:58.180
 Satan did not want Jesus to go to the cross.

00:05:59.140 --> 00:06:03.460
 He understood the fate that God pronounced upon him in Genesis 3.15.

00:06:03.459 --> 00:06:05.899
 God says to Satan,

00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:10.739
 I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring.

00:06:11.299 --> 00:06:15.740
 He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel.

00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:17.620
 This is the proto-evangelium.

00:06:17.699 --> 00:06:19.959
 The first proclamation of the gospel.

00:06:20.359 --> 00:06:23.620
 That Jesus would crush the head of Satan.

00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:26.439
 And Satan knew this would happen on the cross.

00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:30.300
 In Mark chapter 1, in verses 12 and 13,

00:06:31.079 --> 00:06:36.699
 I get a very brief account of Jesus' temptation by Satan in the desert.

00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:42.160
 There's a much more exhaustive account of it found in Matthew chapter 4, verses 1 through 11.

00:06:42.259 --> 00:06:43.659
 You can turn there if you would like.

00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:49.079
 But let me bring to your attention the very things that Satan was trying to tempt Jesus with.

00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:50.019
 Verse 3,

00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:54.879
 If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.

00:06:54.879 --> 00:07:01.639
 If you have the power of God and you're hungry, you can turn these rocks into loaves.

00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:03.040
 Take the way of power.

00:07:03.399 --> 00:07:03.959
 Verse 6,

00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:07.759
 If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

00:07:08.159 --> 00:07:11.500
 He will command His angels concerning you, and on their hands they will bear you up,

00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:13.899
 lest you strike your foot against the stone.

00:07:14.159 --> 00:07:19.240
 Call legions of angels to rescue you as you throw yourself off the temple mount.

00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:20.759
 Verse 9,

00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:24.639
 All these I will give you, observing the kingdoms of the world.

00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:28.819
 All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship Me.

00:07:29.039 --> 00:07:34.959
 Take the way of power, not the way of sacrifice and submission.

00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:39.500
 Jesus knew that this was not the way He was meant to live.

00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:43.459
 This was not the way He was to come and serve and to lead.

00:07:43.539 --> 00:07:46.339
 Not in the way of power in humanistic terms,

00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:49.899
 but rather a more powerful way, a supremely powerful way,

00:07:49.959 --> 00:07:53.739
 which was the way of sacrifice and submission.

00:07:54.799 --> 00:07:59.060
 And He begins to teach that here to the disciples in these coming chapters.

00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:04.679
 We see three passion predictions, all three of them interestingly followed by misunderstandings.

00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:11.120
 The apostles just don't quite seem to be able to wrap their mind around what this means for them.

00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:14.319
 We see the first one here in chapter 8, verse 31.

00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:17.379
 Later, chapter 9, verse 31.

00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:22.120
 And then finally in chapter 10, verse 33 through 34.

00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:23.920
 Three times in these coming chapters,

00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:30.019
 He makes these predictions to teach the disciples what it means for them to follow Him.

00:08:30.780 --> 00:08:33.980
 And three things are made very clear to us in these predictions.

00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:36.519
 First, the way of sacrifice.

00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:40.360
 Jesus will suffer and die.

00:08:41.300 --> 00:08:42.560
 He makes the prediction of that.

00:08:42.680 --> 00:08:44.279
 Mark 10, verse 45.

00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:47.039
 Kind of the summation of this teaching.

00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:48.039
 Jesus says,

00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:52.840
 For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve,

00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:57.279
 and to give His life as a ransom for many.

00:08:57.779 --> 00:09:00.620
 Great high sacrifice of His life.

00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:03.420
 Three times we see it predicted here.

00:09:04.560 --> 00:09:10.940
 Secondly, it is His intention to suffer and die in submission to the will of the Father.

00:09:11.060 --> 00:09:13.100
 So we see the way of submission, the way of sacrifice.

00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:15.860
 We see the way of submission.

00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:20.519
 He knew that it was God's will for Him to come and to die.

00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:23.560
 Look at His rebuke of Peter in verse 33.

00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:27.680
 For you are not setting your mind on the things of God.

00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:31.580
 My prediction of my suffering, my being killed,

00:09:31.580 --> 00:09:33.700
 after three days rising again,

00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:36.580
 is the way of God.

00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:41.280
 And so He submitted Himself willfully to the will of the Father.

00:09:42.040 --> 00:09:44.780
 John 10, verse 17 and 18.

00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:45.300
 Jesus says,

00:09:45.299 --> 00:10:06.719
 He willfully submits Himself to the will of the Father.

00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:07.639
 The way of sacrifice,

00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:09.320
 the way of submission.

00:10:09.580 --> 00:10:12.940
 And thirdly, He makes clear to us that He will rise again.

00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:14.660
 After three days.

00:10:15.060 --> 00:10:18.620
 All three points are made in all three of these passion predictions.

00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:21.100
 He will rise again.

00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:23.279
 He does not leave the disciples,

00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:26.420
 and He does not leave us without hope.

00:10:26.680 --> 00:10:29.100
 He died, but He was resurrected.

00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:32.759
 The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:36.320
 is the central reality of redemptive history.

00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:41.540
 In fact, it's the central reality of all of human history.

00:10:42.340 --> 00:10:46.540
 And I certainly hope this morning that it is the central reality of your life.

00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:51.220
 The very crux, the very thing on which your entire life hinges.

00:10:51.220 --> 00:10:55.120
 I praise God, and I hope you do with me,

00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:59.379
 that Jesus chose the path of sacrifice and submission

00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:04.820
 so that in Him, our debt has been paid.

00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:06.580
 Chapter 10, verse 24.

00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:11.259
 We have been ransomed for God by Christ.

00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:13.200
 We have been ransomed.

00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:15.040
 It was a common practice.

00:11:15.180 --> 00:11:18.560
 These people would have understood in military conquest

00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:23.159
 somebody of value, a king, a governor of some sort,

00:11:23.359 --> 00:11:24.379
 will be taken captive,

00:11:24.459 --> 00:11:26.099
 and there would be a price put on their head.

00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:30.219
 A purchase price that would have had been paid for them to go back and be free.

00:11:30.339 --> 00:11:33.619
 This is what has happened for us in Christ.

00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:38.039
 Jesus paid our infinite debt

00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:41.259
 because we have sinned against an infinitely holy God.

00:11:41.579 --> 00:11:42.559
 Our debt is infinite,

00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:45.679
 and it could only be paid by infinite righteousness

00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:48.399
 that was found in Christ.

00:11:49.459 --> 00:11:51.699
 We have been ransomed if we are found in Him.

00:11:52.099 --> 00:11:53.519
 What will be true of us

00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:56.159
 if we have been ransomed by Christ?

00:11:56.459 --> 00:11:59.919
 And this is where Jesus takes the teaching beyond

00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:01.479
 simply what will happen to Him,

00:12:01.739 --> 00:12:06.459
 but what will be required for those who want to follow Him.

00:12:07.199 --> 00:12:11.639
 And here we see the path of conformity to Christ.

00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:14.699
 So Jesus takes the path of sacrifice and submission.

00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:19.379
 We are to take the path of conformity to Christ.

00:12:20.520 --> 00:12:22.379
 This is what it means to be a disciple.

00:12:23.400 --> 00:12:29.420
 A disciple is one who follows and spreads the teaching of one who may are a disciple of.

00:12:30.160 --> 00:12:31.840
 If we desire to follow Jesus,

00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:34.259
 it should be no surprise to us

00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:39.620
 that we will also take the path of sacrifice and submission

00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:42.139
 as we are conformed to His image.

00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:46.940
 In Matthew 10, 24, in the first half of 25,

00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:47.679
 Jesus says,

00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:50.019
 A disciple is not above his teacher,

00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:52.220
 nor a servant above his master.

00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:55.379
 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher,

00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:58.360
 and the servant like his master.

00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:03.120
 This is the great high calling of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:06.480
 Bonhoeffer spoke of cheap grace.

00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:09.460
 There's much cheap grace being peddled in our day.

00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:13.360
 The kind of grace that says if you simply recite some prayer

00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:15.100
 and simply walk an aisle,

00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:16.560
 and these things, I believe,

00:13:16.680 --> 00:13:19.399
 people truly become regenerate in the process of this.

00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:20.259
 But we say,

00:13:20.440 --> 00:13:21.759
 Just do this thing,

00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:23.180
 and we're going to check a box,

00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:24.720
 and we're going to give you a plaque,

00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:27.580
 and you can have confidence of your eternal state,

00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:31.440
 but their call of grace is a costly one.

00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:34.060
 Grace is a free gift to us,

00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:37.180
 but it requires of us our lives.

00:13:38.800 --> 00:13:43.000
 Verse 34 is where He begins to teach this to the disciples.

00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:46.320
 What is it going to mean if you're going to truly follow Me?

00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:48.580
 And He makes this as a broad call.

00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:51.900
 Notice that He calls the crowd to Him at this point.

00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:53.060
 He's been teaching the disciples,

00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:55.920
 and He calls around all those who are around Him.

00:13:55.920 --> 00:13:57.480
 And remember, He's in Caesarea Philippi.

00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.940
 The villages surrounding this area,

00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:01.120
 this is a primarily Gentile area.

00:14:01.420 --> 00:14:03.560
 These people would have been fairly unfamiliar.

00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:07.000
 Maybe had heard some rumor of the work that He'd been doing in Galilee,

00:14:07.180 --> 00:14:09.340
 but this was kind of a retreat for them.

00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:12.740
 So many of these people may not even know who Jesus is,

00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:14.020
 but He calls them around,

00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:17.940
 and makes a broad gospel call to the crowd.

00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:20.120
 If anyone would come after Me,

00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:25.800
 let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:29.639
 What does He mean by this?

00:14:30.599 --> 00:14:36.179
 The implications of such a statement are going to be unpacked across our lifetimes.

00:14:37.099 --> 00:14:38.339
 But we should do well.

00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:42.740
 We should try to wrap our brains around it and get our hearts to catch up to it this morning.

00:14:43.079 --> 00:14:48.639
 What does He mean to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him?

00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:51.159
 Well, He builds for us an explanation.

00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:53.580
 After this very important statement,

00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:57.120
 this incredibly, this axiomatic statement that He makes here,

00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:59.360
 He begins to build for us an explanation.

00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:05.100
 Notice the way that verses 35, 36, 37, and 38 all begin.

00:15:05.199 --> 00:15:07.360
 They begin with the word for.

00:15:08.439 --> 00:15:09.580
 Read it to you one more time.

00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:11.419
 Remember, it's on the heels of this statement.

00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:12.539
 If anyone would come after Me,

00:15:12.599 --> 00:15:14.579
 let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

00:15:14.939 --> 00:15:15.259
 For.

00:15:15.459 --> 00:15:17.740
 And you can read in here the word because.

00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:18.659
 Right?

00:15:18.699 --> 00:15:19.839
 We would more likely,

00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:22.799
 modern English, American speakers would say,

00:15:23.099 --> 00:15:23.399
 because.

00:15:24.599 --> 00:15:25.000
 Right?

00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:27.000
 I'll read it that way, in fact, to serve us.

00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:27.919
 Verse 35.

00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:30.319
 Because whoever would save his life will lose it,

00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:33.419
 but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospels will save it.

00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:37.439
 Because what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:41.279
 Because what can a man give in return for his soul?

00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:45.079
 Because whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation,

00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:50.759
 of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:54.120
 Jesus lays for us here a logical case.

00:15:54.219 --> 00:15:56.679
 There's a logical progression in this.

00:15:57.559 --> 00:15:57.699
 Right?

00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.379
 But of all good logic,

00:15:59.979 --> 00:16:02.719
 we can also take the adverse of the logic.

00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:07.279
 And I think it's going to serve us well this morning to look at it in reverse order.

00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:08.699
 Let me give you an example.

00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:09.700
 Let me give you an example.

00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.700
 I'm feeling a bit jittery.

00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:15.780
 Because I just finished my second cup of coffee.

00:16:16.920 --> 00:16:18.640
 Because I'm tired this morning.

00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:21.780
 Because I went to bed late and I woke up early.

00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:24.720
 Because I don't always manage my time well.

00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:28.200
 This works the other way around as well.

00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:31.759
 I don't always manage my time well.

00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:34.500
 So I went to bed late and I woke up early.

00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:36.240
 So I'm tired this morning.

00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:38.360
 So I just finished my second cup of coffee.

00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:40.519
 So I'm feeling a bit jittery.

00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:44.680
 And we can see that we can come to the very same conclusions in either direction.

00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:47.480
 And this is the way that Jesus builds this case.

00:16:47.540 --> 00:16:49.720
 So let's look at it beginning in verse 38.

00:16:49.720 --> 00:17:04.860
 Now we must ask, what is the opposite of being ashamed?

00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:10.679
 If the outcome of being ashamed of the Son of Man, of Jesus Christ,

00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:14.939
 is that He'll be ashamed of us when He comes in the glory of His Father,

00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:16.479
 what is the opposite of that?

00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.439
 What should we be?

00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:20.599
 If we ought not be ashamed of Him, what should we be?

00:17:20.679 --> 00:17:23.259
 We should be proud of Him.

00:17:23.919 --> 00:17:25.459
 We should love Him.

00:17:25.699 --> 00:17:27.419
 We should treasure Him.

00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:31.079
 We should see Him for who He really is and exalt Him.

00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:35.500
 We should love the name of Jesus Christ.

00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:38.980
 And He's not speaking here of our momentary failings.

00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.659
 We're not always proud in every moment.

00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:44.199
 Sometimes we shy away from an opportunity to speak His name or to share Him.

00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:45.460
 He's not speaking about that.

00:17:45.679 --> 00:17:49.039
 He's speaking about the way in which our lives are oriented.

00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:51.759
 Is our lives oriented in a direction that says,

00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:55.079
 I am proud of Jesus Christ,

00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:58.619
 my prophet, my priest, and my king.

00:17:58.619 --> 00:18:01.639
 And if we are not proud of Him,

00:18:01.919 --> 00:18:03.639
 He will not be proud of us.

00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:05.099
 If we are proud of Him,

00:18:05.379 --> 00:18:08.099
 He will be proud of us.

00:18:09.219 --> 00:18:12.539
 Now, when He speaks here of coming in the glory of His Father

00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:14.299
 with the holy angels,

00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:17.500
 we can get our minds all way off in left field.

00:18:18.419 --> 00:18:21.619
 This does not necessarily refer to a second coming of Christ,

00:18:21.719 --> 00:18:24.500
 although I believe it does include His second coming.

00:18:24.719 --> 00:18:27.719
 But it speaks rather to a different situation.

00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:32.500
 A day when He will rule with absolute sovereignty.

00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:35.399
 I would argue, but not with the time I have today,

00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:40.479
 that He does, in fact, now rule with absolute sovereignty.

00:18:41.739 --> 00:18:46.519
 His words seem to serve as an allusion to Daniel's prophetic vision.

00:18:46.719 --> 00:18:48.719
 Found in Daniel chapter 7.

00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:51.039
 You should turn there with me while I take a sip of water.

00:18:51.039 --> 00:19:07.039
 Daniel chapter 7, verses 9 and 10, and then 13 and 14.

00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.579
 This is Daniel's vision.

00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:13.680
 As I looked, thrones were placed.

00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:16.799
 And the Ancient of Days, this is God the Father,

00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.859
 took His seat.

00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:20.539
 His clothing was white as snow,

00:19:20.699 --> 00:19:22.599
 and the hair of His head like pure wool.

00:19:23.159 --> 00:19:25.039
 His throne was fiery flames.

00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:26.839
 Its wheels were burning fire.

00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:30.619
 A stream of fire issued and came out from before Him.

00:19:30.959 --> 00:19:33.439
 A thousand thousands served Him.

00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:37.299
 And ten thousand times, ten thousand stood before Him.

00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:39.039
 The court sat in judgment,

00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:41.019
 and the books were opened.

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:42.819
 And then verse 13.

00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:45.059
 I saw in the night visions,

00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:47.460
 and behold, with the clouds of heaven,

00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:50.480
 there came one like a Son of Man.

00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:53.119
 You see why Jesus calls Himself the Son of Man.

00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:55.079
 And He came to the Ancient of Days,

00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.900
 and was presented before Him.

00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:58.779
 And to Him was given dominion,

00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.799
 and glory,

00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.839
 and a kingdom,

00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:03.079
 that all peoples, nations,

00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:05.059
 and languages should serve Him.

00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:07.599
 His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:09.079
 which shall not pass away.

00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:10.179
 And His kingdom,

00:20:10.679 --> 00:20:13.500
 one that shall not be destroyed.

00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:18.099
 This is true now in this day.

00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:22.539
 Jesus is our advocate with the Father.

00:20:22.919 --> 00:20:24.639
 Even now, as we sit in this room,

00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:26.419
 He is seated at the right hand of the Father,

00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:29.659
 always making intercession for us.

00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:32.799
 Hebrews 7, verses 23 and 25,

00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:34.139
 these words are so precious.

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:36.379
 The former priests were many in number,

00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:38.660
 because they were prevented by death

00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:40.500
 from continuing in office.

00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:43.240
 The old former priestly line,

00:20:43.300 --> 00:20:45.120
 it was flawed because these men were men,

00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:45.880
 and they died.

00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:48.400
 But He holds His priesthood permanently,

00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:50.740
 because He continues forever.

00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:53.860
 Consequently, He, this is Jesus,

00:20:54.020 --> 00:20:55.760
 is able to save to the uttermost

00:20:55.760 --> 00:20:58.180
 those who draw near to God through Him,

00:20:58.580 --> 00:21:00.380
 since He always lives

00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:03.020
 to make intercession for them.

00:21:03.860 --> 00:21:06.400
 If we are proud of Jesus Christ,

00:21:06.820 --> 00:21:08.860
 He is proud of us,

00:21:09.040 --> 00:21:10.740
 and He intercedes for us,

00:21:10.860 --> 00:21:13.020
 that when God looks at us,

00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:14.480
 He sees Jesus.

00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:17.040
 We are clothed in His righteousness.

00:21:17.340 --> 00:21:19.680
 We have been ransomed,

00:21:20.100 --> 00:21:22.180
 because Jesus came to serve,

00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:23.920
 and not to be served.

00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:26.259
 Verse 37,

00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.960
 For what can a man give

00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:33.100
 in return for his soul?

00:21:33.860 --> 00:21:35.180
 For what can a man give?

00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.680
 What can a man possibly have

00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:38.660
 that would be an equal trade for his soul?

00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:40.400
 And the clear answer to this is

00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:41.340
 nothing.

00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.400
 Nothing.

00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:45.259
 Because God's holiness is infinite,

00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.120
 our sin is infinite,

00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:47.080
 and the only infinite,

00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.420
 the only thing that can pay the price

00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:49.720
 is the infinite righteousness of Christ

00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:52.279
 for this infinite debt that we have.

00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:54.460
 Psalm 49, verses 7-9,

00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:56.700
 Truly no man can ransom another,

00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:59.519
 or give to God the price of his life,

00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:01.099
 for the ransom of their life

00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:03.319
 is costly and can never suffice,

00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:05.259
 that he should live on forever

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:07.559
 and never see the pit.

00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.740
 Our debt can be paid

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:12.139
 by none other than Christ.

00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.579
 And if you don't believe this to be true,

00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:16.220
 you don't understand sin.

00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:19.240
 You don't understand the great offense

00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:21.920
 that it is to a holy God.

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:24.460
 If we are proud of Christ,

00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:27.259
 He has paid our debt.

00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:29.559
 We are part of the many that He speaks of

00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:32.000
 that have been ransomed.

00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.299
 Verse 36,

00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:36.339
 For what does it profit a man

00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.700
 to gain the whole world

00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:40.059
 and forfeit his soul?

00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:42.379
 What wonderful rhetoric.

00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:43.779
 Nothing.

00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:46.559
 It gains a man nothing

00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:48.500
 to have everything in the world

00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:50.119
 but to not have Himself.

00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:54.099
 We are created in the image of God.

00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:56.500
 But sin has absolutely

00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:58.339
 and utterly destroyed

00:22:58.339 --> 00:23:00.160
 our image-bearing capability,

00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.880
 our very being.

00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:04.400
 We are so unhuman

00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:06.720
 when we live in sin.

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.500
 But in Christ,

00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.500
 that image-bearing capacity

00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:11.180
 has been restored.

00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.779
 We don't do it perfectly.

00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:15.000
 We still carry around our flesh.

00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.639
 We do still sin,

00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:18.859
 but the capacity has been restored.

00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:20.639
 We have made beautiful.

00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:21.720
 Once again,

00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:23.099
 we have life.

00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.220
 Proper life.

00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.339
 True life.

00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.960
 Because Jesus has restored

00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:29.839
 that ability in us.

00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.599
 What in the world

00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.960
 would be worth trading for that?

00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.639
 Nothing.

00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.700
 It's a rhetorical question.

00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:36.559
 Nothing.

00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:39.099
 The person who is proud of Christ

00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:41.399
 should share in the attitude of Paul.

00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.799
 Philippians 3.

00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:44.099
 Verse 7.

00:23:44.179 --> 00:23:46.480
 Paul's speaking of his religious pedigree.

00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:46.759
 He says,

00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.980
 But whatever gain I had,

00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.859
 I counted as loss

00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:52.000
 for the sake of Christ.

00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.639
 And then he goes on.

00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.460
 He elaborates.

00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:54.980
 Verse 8.

00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.379
 Indeed,

00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:57.759
 I count everything as loss

00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:59.960
 because of the surpassing worth

00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:02.500
 of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:03.859
 For His sake,

00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:05.159
 I have suffered the loss of all things

00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:06.680
 and count them as rubbish.

00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.460
 Trash.

00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:10.800
 In order that I may gain Christ.

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.700
 Christ and the life that we have in Him

00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:15.480
 is a much more precious thing

00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:17.560
 than anything this world

00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:19.580
 could possibly afford us.

00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:20.759
 Here we have Peter

00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:22.680
 who wants Jesus to take the way of power.

00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:25.160
 He wants to be a lieutenant in His army.

00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:27.920
 He wants to reign with Him politically.

00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.700
 Jesus is saying to them,

00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.180
 No.

00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.460
 Rather than that,

00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.440
 you're going to suffer.

00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:35.720
 You're not going to have things in this world

00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.700
 because you're going to be part

00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:38.400
 of a greater kingdom.

00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:40.420
 A kingdom that has been ushered in

00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:43.259
 and has yet to fully arrive.

00:24:44.820 --> 00:24:45.380
 Verse 35.

00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:48.559
 For whoever would save his life

00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.980
 will lose it.

00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:52.580
 But whoever loses his life for my sake

00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:53.500
 and the Gospels

00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:55.500
 will save it.

00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:59.440
 And this statement is paradoxical.

00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.840
 It's an apparent paradox.

00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.679
 Interestingly,

00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.919
 to save your life

00:25:02.919 --> 00:25:03.599
 you have to lose your life.

00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:04.419
 But if you lose your life,

00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.379
 you saved your life.

00:25:05.659 --> 00:25:07.240
 This is the very definition of paradox.

00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:09.980
 It's a statement that contradicts itself.

00:25:10.919 --> 00:25:12.119
 An example of this

00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:12.899
 would be

00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:15.759
 this statement is false.

00:25:17.679 --> 00:25:19.839
 This statement is false.

00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:21.220
 If the statement is true,

00:25:21.939 --> 00:25:23.000
 then the statement is false,

00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:24.899
 thereby making the statement true.

00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:27.159
 You see how it goes around in circles.

00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:28.320
 This is a paradox.

00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:30.340
 Which is why I'm very careful to say

00:25:30.340 --> 00:25:33.940
 that this is an apparent paradox.

00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.680
 It's an apparent paradox.

00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.640
 To us,

00:25:36.800 --> 00:25:37.800
 on our level,

00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:39.880
 the capacity of our minds,

00:25:40.040 --> 00:25:41.560
 this is a difficult thing

00:25:41.560 --> 00:25:42.860
 to understand.

00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:45.900
 But should we be surprised

00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:47.460
 that God has asked us

00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.440
 to live lives

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:50.300
 that are paradoxical

00:25:50.300 --> 00:25:51.360
 in this sense?

00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.440
 When He came,

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.900
 the Son of the Most High God,

00:25:54.040 --> 00:25:54.960
 as a baby,

00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:56.539
 born in a stable

00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:58.059
 and laid in a manger.

00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:00.440
 He was raised

00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.500
 as the son of a carpenter

00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:03.340
 in the nothing town of Nazareth.

00:26:04.600 --> 00:26:05.299
 The Christ,

00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.759
 our anointed prophet,

00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.799
 priest, and king,

00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:08.940
 emptied Himself

00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:10.039
 and became

00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:11.759
 a selfless servant.

00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:13.180
 Jesus' life

00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:15.740
 was an apparent paradox.

00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:17.759
 The One who came

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.640
 to save the world

00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.400
 did so

00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.779
 by sacrificing

00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:22.059
 Himself.

00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.279
 Himself.

00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:27.039
 We must lose our lives

00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:28.140
 in order to

00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:30.340
 save our lives.

00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:32.840
 Now,

00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.840
 Jesus is not suggesting

00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:34.860
 that we must simply

00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:36.460
 bear some discomfort

00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.360
 with patience

00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:38.180
 in this life.

00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:39.259
 So,

00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.579
 so often you hear somebody say,

00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:40.900
 well,

00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.860
 I guess this is just

00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:43.100
 my cross to bear.

00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.120
 Right?

00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.200
 This is not what Jesus

00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.200
 is talking about here.

00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.500
 Although it is true,

00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:48.539
 it's a reality

00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.660
 of the Christian experience

00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.440
 that there are things

00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:51.299
 we're going to suffer

00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.559
 and we ought to suffer

00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.940
 well in those things.

00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.840
 This is true,

00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.000
 but it's not right to say

00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.380
 this is,

00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:56.640
 oh,

00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.580
 this is my cross to bear

00:26:57.580 --> 00:26:58.360
 because what happened

00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:58.960
 on a cross?

00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:00.019
 You died.

00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.900
 You died on a cross.

00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.480
 They didn't let you

00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.160
 suffer for a while

00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:04.000
 and then take you down

00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.259
 and say,

00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:04.440
 oh,

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.340
 your punishment's been paid.

00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:07.340
 You died on a cross.

00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:08.940
 He is saying

00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:10.160
 that if we are to follow Him

00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:12.120
 and thereby save our lives,

00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.779
 we must choose

00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:15.480
 the path of conformity

00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:17.240
 to His sacrifice

00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:18.900
 and submission

00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:20.960
 by abandoning

00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.359
 our own identity

00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:24.700
 and self-determination.

00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.779
 It is no longer

00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:28.599
 I who live,

00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.720
 Galatians 2.20,

00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:32.859
 but Christ who lives in me.

00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:33.880
 Paul says,

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.180
 I have been crucified with Christ.

00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.299
 It is no longer I who live,

00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.240
 but Christ who lives in me.

00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.900
 And the life I now live

00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.319
 in the flesh,

00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.539
 I live by faith

00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.720
 in the Son of God

00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.759
 who loved me

00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.759
 and gave Himself

00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:45.140
 for me.

00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.819
 Because we have been

00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.619
 ransomed by Christ,

00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:49.119
 we now identify with Him

00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:50.519
 in all things.

00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:52.160
 I put down Nathan

00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:53.299
 and Nathan's desires

00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:55.079
 and Nathan's self-determination

00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.980
 and I pick up

00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.799
 the way of Christ.

00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.279
 I follow Him

00:27:58.279 --> 00:28:00.660
 wherever He will go.

00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.319
 Remember,

00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:03.000
 He has yet to be crucified.

00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:04.000
 He has simply predicted

00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.740
 that it would happen.

00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:06.180
 He's on His way

00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:07.119
 to do this.

00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.700
 We know now,

00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.680
 but they didn't know then

00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.279
 that He was going to have

00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:12.099
 to carry His own cross

00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:13.200
 to the hill of Golgotha

00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.240
 and what Jesus is saying

00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:16.039
 is you should follow me there.

00:28:17.080 --> 00:28:18.100
 You should follow me there

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:19.480
 and identify with me

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.259
 as Paul says,

00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.259
 Galatians 2.20,

00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:22.620
 I have been crucified

00:28:22.620 --> 00:28:24.059
 with Christ.

00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.580
 My old self

00:28:25.580 --> 00:28:26.440
 has been put to death.

00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:28.360
 I now am a new creation

00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:29.920
 and in all things

00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:32.480
 I give myself to God.

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.940
 Thus verse 34,

00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:37.519
 back to the beginning,

00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:39.500
 this axiomatic statement,

00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:40.819
 if anyone would come after me,

00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:42.460
 let him deny himself

00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:43.660
 and take up his cross

00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:45.319
 and follow me.

00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:48.299
 The redeemed ones of God,

00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:49.980
 those who have been ransomed

00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.660
 by Christ,

00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:53.160
 will live in conformity

00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:53.799
 with Christ

00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:55.880
 and give our lives

00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:56.880
 to Him.

00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:58.519
 It becomes a necessary outcome

00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.700
 of who we are.

00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:02.079
 We don't follow Jesus

00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:03.240
 in order that we might be

00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.759
 found disciples of Him.

00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:06.440
 We are disciples of Him.

00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.180
 Therefore,

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:09.299
 we follow Him.

00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:11.500
 And this necessarily

00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.460
 includes

00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.680
 all

00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:14.579
 of who

00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.759
 we are.

00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.680
 As Americans,

00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:19.039
 we're very familiar

00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:20.419
 with the Industrial Revolution,

00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.259
 which specialized

00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.440
 things for us.

00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.819
 We specialize things.

00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:24.799
 Different of us

00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.799
 have different tasks

00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.799
 in the world.

00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.500
 Some install

00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:29.500
 the cog.

00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:30.759
 Some put the wheel on.

00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:32.000
 We all serve

00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:33.119
 different roles.

00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:33.960
 And specialization

00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.960
 has worked itself in

00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.980
 to our very being.

00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:37.039
 And unfortunately,

00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:38.059
 it causes us

00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.819
 to segment out

00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.839
 our lives.

00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:41.940
 So some of you

00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:43.299
 might be an employee.

00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.120
 Let's say a teacher.

00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:44.720
 I know we have a number

00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.240
 of teachers.

00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:46.460
 A teacher,

00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:47.420
 right,

00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.700
 who has a wife

00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.900
 and who has children,

00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.779
 attends a church,

00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:53.059
 is a Christian.

00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:53.839
 We tend to make

00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.400
 these things

00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:55.579
 part of who we are

00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.220
 rather than being

00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:56.779
 a Christian,

00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:57.660
 being a disciple of Christ,

00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:59.539
 influencing all of who we are.

00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.500
 It is the umbrella

00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:02.519
 that arcs over everything.

00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:03.579
 I am a Christian

00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:04.960
 who is a teacher.

00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.740
 I am a Christian

00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:07.120
 who is a father.

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:07.880
 I am a Christian

00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:09.259
 who is a husband.

00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:11.860
 It includes all

00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:12.779
 of who we are.

00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.779
 It includes where we live.

00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.200
 It includes the houses

00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.680
 we live in,

00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.420
 the cars we drive,

00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.140
 the clothes we wear,

00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:19.360
 the vacations we take.

00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:20.960
 It includes the way

00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.519
 we speak,

00:30:21.620 --> 00:30:22.259
 the way we feel,

00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:23.140
 the way we act,

00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.579
 where we work,

00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.019
 the effort we put

00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.799
 into our work,

00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.579
 how we spend our

00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.600
 free time

00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.519
 that belongs to Christ,

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.980
 how we relate

00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.660
 to the church,

00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:33.519
 give to the church,

00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.400
 serve the church,

00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.400
 how we relate

00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:36.220
 to the world,

00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.019
 give to it,

00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:37.940
 serve it.

00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:40.200
 It includes every aspect.

00:30:40.580 --> 00:30:41.880
 We could spend days

00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:43.420
 including all of the things

00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.220
 and this is why

00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:45.080
 I believe

00:30:45.080 --> 00:30:46.400
 that this statement

00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.320
 he makes to us

00:30:47.320 --> 00:30:48.820
 in verse 34,

00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.460
 if we are going

00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.300
 to follow him,

00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.620
 we are going to deny ourselves,

00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.620
 take up our cross,

00:30:53.300 --> 00:30:54.100
 has such

00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:55.580
 massive implication.

00:30:57.060 --> 00:30:58.140
 Massive implication.

00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.340
 And it's so fitting

00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:00.299
 that just after

00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.139
 he is taught

00:31:01.139 --> 00:31:04.059
 and Peter has come

00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:04.599
 to this realization

00:31:04.599 --> 00:31:06.019
 that he is the Christ,

00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.899
 that he begins

00:31:06.899 --> 00:31:08.139
 in this way.

00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.879
 You're setting your mind

00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:10.639
 on the things of God,

00:31:10.679 --> 00:31:11.619
 not on the things of man.

00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:12.659
 Let me tell you

00:31:12.659 --> 00:31:13.480
 about the things

00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:14.259
 of God.

00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:16.099
 This is what serving

00:31:16.099 --> 00:31:17.079
 in the kingdom

00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:18.480
 looked like.

00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.879
 Jesus chose the path

00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:22.079
 of sacrifice

00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:23.220
 and submission.

00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:25.000
 But he did it

00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:26.259
 for the eternal joy

00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:27.559
 that was set before him.

00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:28.960
 Hebrews chapter 12.

00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:31.579
 Momentary suffering.

00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.299
 Momentary

00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.539
 in this world.

00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:37.019
 It's a very small trade

00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:38.139
 for us to trade things

00:31:38.139 --> 00:31:39.500
 that we cannot hold on to

00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.119
 for something

00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:40.940
 that is infinite

00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:41.940
 and glorious

00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:43.440
 forever and ever

00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.359
 that we might someday

00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:46.559
 reign with Christ.

00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:49.200
 This is a reality

00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:50.740
 and it has meaning

00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.960
 for each and every day.

00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.259
 Every little decision

00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:54.119
 that we make,

00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.779
 all of it matters.

00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:57.779
 that we might serve him

00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.759
 and love him

00:31:58.759 --> 00:32:00.599
 and so prove

00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:01.740
 that we are

00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:02.960
 his disciples.

00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:06.319
 So one application

00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:08.339
 question for you

00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:09.220
 today

00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:10.180
 and then I'll close

00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:10.559
 in prayer.

00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:13.420
 Will you choose

00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.660
 the path

00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:16.200
 of conformity

00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.799
 to Christ?

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.119
 Let's pray.

00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:19.699
 Let's pray.

00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699


00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:19.699