We have been given life so we can experience the love of God and learn to love others. We are to live in such a way that we give God glory in all we do. A truly meaningful way to give God glory is to help others follow Jesus.

This Sunday, we complete our Spring series about Discipleship with a look at the gospel of Mark chapter 9.
Following Jesus means seeing the Kingdom of God among us in all its power and glory. We help others understand the identity of Jesus and how to join in his mission. In the gospels, on a high mountain, Jesus was transfigured into brilliant light, and three disciples caught a glimpse of heavenly glory. A voice from Heaven announces, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!” The disciples however were baffled. On the way down the mountain Jesus again explains the plan that the Messiah must suffer and be rejected before rising on the third day. Our task as disciple-makers is to help others follow Jesus, even if we don’t fully understand God’s plans.

‘“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.” Psalm 89:14-15 NIV

Much of our lives are driven by questions. Questions about what we should do, who we should spend time with, how we should spend our time, where we are headed, what we believe and the list goes on. As disciple makers of Jesus, we can listen and help people uncover both practical life questions and important big God questions.
In this Sunday’s sermon, we will explore Mark 12:18-34 and see how Jesus answers two questions. The way Jesus responds to these questions will give us understanding about discipleship. We hope to see you there as we worship together, learn about bringing others to Jesus and celebrate the Father’s and men in our lives.

The goal of our current discipleship sermon series is to encourage, challenge and equip you to go out and make disciples of Jesus. To help someone else follow Jesus. Our hope is that each of us will be in life-of-life discipleship relationships, no matter where we are in our walk with Jesus. Perhaps, we need to learn more about Jesus. Perhaps, we can encourage another in their faith.

But make note of this: what Jesus asks for is quite costly. “If anyone would come after me, they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.” Jesus doesn’t call us only to abundant life, but to abandon our life for the will of God.

Our text this week is Mark chapter 8. A brilliantly written account of Jesus feeding 4000 people, a warning about unbelief, a healing of a blind man, the confession of Peter, and Jesus’ plan to suffer, die and raise again. Then Jesus clearly describes the cost of discipleship: our very lives.

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Mark 8:35-36 ESV