Jesus in Mark: WORSHIP NIGHT

Part 1

Mark 8:27–30 CSB

Jesus went out with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the road he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They answered him, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets.” “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he strictly warned them to tell no one about him.

In this moment Jesus asked His disciples who people say that He is. If we asked that today it would be weird and prideful. Especially because no body is saying anything about you and me right now! But for Jesus-

He was inviting them to confess who He truly is.

They reveal what the world of their time said about Jesus, and it is all wrong.

But then he specifies- who do YOU say that I am?

Who do you say that Jesus is?

Our world wants us to compromise and say Jesus is just a teacher, a good guy in history, or a religious leader.

We, as Christians who want to be comfortable today, often put Jesus in a box.

Yes Jesus is Lord- but not over that sin in my life.

Jesus- but he doesn’t care about my thoughts or words.

Jesus- except in my relationships.

Jesus- but...

Listen, either we proclaim Jesus is Messiah, savior, Lord of our world and our lives, or we don’t. You can’t put the God of the universe in a box. He won’t fit, you won’t be satisfied, and people won’t be drawn to Him.

We must say Jesus is Messiah, the king of Kings, Lord of Lords, God come to save us! That is Jesus.

So, who do you say Jesus is?

As we continue to sing and worship, let us praise Jesus for being Christ, The Messiah, the Savior of the world!

But I also want you to examine your hearts, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you right now any ways that you have twisted the identity of Jesus, put Him in a box, or minimized his Lordship in your life. He is worthy of everything! He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for your sins and rose from the dead to let you have life. You are saved by grace, through faith in THIS JESUS- the Savior of the world.

Confess these things to Jesus and let’s praise Him together.

PRAY

Part 2

Mark 8:31–38 CSB

Then he began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke openly about this. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning around and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.” Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it. For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life? What can anyone give in exchange for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

This is the same lie that the devil tempted Jesus with in the wilderness before he began his public ministry a couple years prior to this moment. That is why he says to Peter: Get behind me Satan.

Peter was misunderstanding how Jesus would save the world.

The lie of the devil is that we can have life in this world apart from the death of Jesus. Without any suffering, we can have wealth, success, popularity, fame, and life!

And heres the thing, you can! But then you will die and have nothing. You will also live here and never be satisfied. There is no satisfying, fulfilling life, apart from Jesus’ life death and resurrection.

Our world says to pursue pleasure, follow our hearts, seek satisfaction and you will find life. BUt you won’t.

Jesus says we must deny ourselves- die to ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him! If we try to hold onto our lives we will lose them, but if we are willing to lose our lives for His sake and the sake of the Gospel we will find life!

What does it look like to deny yourself and take up your cross?

Well it looks like a moment I had with someone sitting in that very seat earlier today.

It’s not a student or anyone in this room, but they came to me and wanted to talk. They are a follower of Jesus and told me they have had a secret sin in their life for as long as they can remember and they didn’t know what to do, they thought they were going to be living with it forever, but they want more in their relationship with Jesus and they knew this sin needed to be confessed and dealt with. So they told me what was going on, they opened up for the first time int heir whole life about it, and we talked about a plan to kill that sin in their life and walk in freedom and victory going forward. We prayed for quite a while about it all and have a plan to walk together in the life of Jesus going forward.

Listen, that is denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Jesus. It’s not easy, it is hard and awkward and painful at times. There were tears and sweat and emotions. But there was GRACE! LOVE! POWER! For the first time in that situation!

There is no life without death first. We must come to Jesus, die to ourselves- meaning repenting of our own way, denying our selfish behavior, will and desires, and following Jesus in a resurrected life!

Is there something in your life tonight that needs to come and die at the cross?

We are going to sing one more time, and It’s the song Jesus Over Everything.

Matt is going to come back up and lead us now.

But as he does, I have to ask, is Jesus Messiah, Lord over everything in your life? Or is it just a little, some, or even most of your life?

I believe God is bringing revival to our generation, the young people TODAY!

I believe God is moving here in our church in you all, I believe we are about to see a powerful move of God at Student Weekend.

But listen, if you refuse to deny yourself, if you have unconfessed, unrepentant sin in your life you will miss out. Jesus has everything to offer you- life eternal, this world has nothing but disappointment and death!

What needs to come and die in your life tonight so that you can walk in New life from now on?

And we have been saying this week after week lately, so I don’t know who needs to hear it and finally obey it but stop putting it off. Confess the sin to God, and come talk to me and one of the other leaders in this room tonight!

You can be set free by Jesus. If you confess your sins He is faithful and just

1 John 1:9 CSB

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Let’s worship together, as we wrap up tonight, the Jesus who is Messiah, the Jesus who saves us by his death and resurrection, the Jesus who invites us to deny ourselves, come die, take up our cross and follow Him in brand new life.

Pray

Galatians 2:19–20 (CSB)

For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.