The Cost of Being a Follower of Christ

1. The Cost of Being a Follower of Christ Mark 8:34-38

2. Karl Marx Religious distress is at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real distress. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It [religion] is the opium of the people. 

3. Is Marx Right? Is being a Christian an easy way out?

4. Mark 8:34 • And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me,

5. Big Question Can a person be saved and NOT be generally characterized as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?

6. Mark 8:34 • And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself,

7. “deny himself” As inherently selfish people we don’t want to deny ourselves

8. Turn Over To Mark 10:21

9. The Present Entitlement Mentality is Completely Unbiblical

10. Consider for a Moment Just how much the NOT denying ourselves mentality afflicts the church

11. Deny I deny myself of ___________ because I am a Christian.

12. Mark 8:34 • And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

13. Context, Context Look Back @ v. 31

14. Mark 8:31 • And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

15. Jesus Said: John 15:20 • Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. • If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;

16. Everyone’s Cross is NOT the Same all the Time What cross are you presently bearing?

17. Turn to John 21:18-22

18. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

19. American Christians are NOT martyred for their faith How do I then take up my cross and follow Christ?

20. As a Follower of Christ You must bear your cross in a completely God glorifying manner—it is not optional.

21. Bearing Your Cross • When some would turn bitter or become a drunk • You don’t • When some would divorce or have an affair • You don’t • When others would abandon faith in God • You don’t

22. The Cross Of Hard Work! Christians must NOT be Lazy

23. When everyone else is sitting at home collecting welfare checks Christians DO Not

24. The Cross Of Integrity Christians must DO Right!

25. 1 Peter 1:15 • But as he which hath called you is Holy, so be ye Holy in all manner of conversation [lifestyle/conduct];

26. The Cross Of Morality Christians can’t be immoral.

27. Christians deny themselves immoral ___________ gratification and bear the cross of purity.

28. Mark 8:34 • And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

29. If you follow Jesus only because he makes life easy now, it will look to the world as though you really love what they love, and Jesus just happens to provide it for you. But if you suffer with Jesus in the pathway of love because he is your supreme treasure, then it will be apparent to the world that your heart is set on a different fortune than theirs. This is why Jesus demands that we deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him. John Piper

30. Mark 8:35 If you are not willing to trust Christ with your life you will lose it. • For whosoever will save his life [ψυχήpsychē]shall lose it;

31. Mark 8:35 Turn to 1 Cor. 6:19-20 • but whosoever shall lose his

32. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 • What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? • For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

33. Mark 8:35 Giving up your life is NOT enough—it must be for Christ and gospel. • but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

34. What is the gospel? How can I loose my life for Hissakeand the gospel if I don’t know what either is?

35. “my sake” • The Person and Work of Christ • Person • Humanity (incarnate) • Deity (the only Son of God) • Work • Prophet (Teacher) • Priest (Savior) • King (Lord)

36. What is the Gospel • It is the good news that Christ died in a penal substitutionary manner for the sins of mankind and rose again on the third day so that ALL who believe this truth have their sins forgiven and are granted eternal life by grace through faith in Christ.

37. Mark 8:36 True Life • For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul [ψυχήpsychē]?

38. Has “materialism” been the enemy of following Christ for 2000 years?

39. No! It has been the enemy even longer than 2000 years—look to the right to Hebrews 11:24ff

40. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

41. Mark 8:37 What could this world possible offer that would make up for an eternity in hell? • Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul [ψυχή psychē]?

42. The Fact Is America wants a salvation that costs it absolutely NOTHING!

43. When I give you this beautiful full loaded Toyota Tacoma 4x4 truck FREE and CLEAR by my Sovereign Grace Are you shocked when I tell you to take care of it and use it well?

44. Mark 8:38 • Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

45. Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

46. You can’t BE ashamed of Christ and the Word of God and be Born Again

47. I Hope I am Wrong BUT I believe the NT teaches that one can’t be saved and NOT be generally characterized as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.