Mark 9:30-50; Discpleship By Death

Mark 9:30-50; Discipleship by Death

Sermon in a sentence: Jesus discipled his follows through his death.

The Death of Jesus (vs. 30-32)

Jesus was teaching his disciples by telling them of his coming death.

Jesus was preparing his disciples for the coming pain, sorrow, and fear they were going to face when they saw Jesus murdered.

Jesus was also preparing his disciples for the reality that they may die like him.

There is no resurrection without the crucifixion!

We must die to ourselves and be buried with Christ before we can be resurrected with him!

Jesus also told the disciples about the resurrection.

The resurrection is what makes the pain and suffering of this world worth it!

God sent His son-They called Him Jesus-He came to love-Heal and forgive-He bled and died-To buy my pardon-An empty grave-Is there to prove-My savior lives-And because He lives-I can face tomorrow-Because He lives-All fear is gone-Because I know-He holds the future-And life is worth the living-Just because He lives-And then one day-I'll cross the river-And I'll fight life's final war with pain-And then-As death gives way to victory-I'll see the lights of glory-And I'll know He reigns-Because He lives-I can face tomorrow-Because He lives-All fear is gone-Because I know-He holds the future-And life is worth the living-Just because He lives (He lives)-Hallelujah-He lives

The Death of Pride (vs. 33-41)

The disciples were more worried about their position than the preaching of Jesus.

Jesus just told them he was going to die and they are worried about who is the greatest in the kingdom.

The disciples are reminded that anyone who wants to follow Jesus must be a servant.

We have seen this already in chapter 8.

Mark 8:34–38 ESV

34 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. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 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.”

We should look to Christ as the greatest example of this servitude. (Philippians 2:5-9)

Philippians 2:5–9 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

Jesus often uses the weak to accomplish his will (v 36)

Jesus uses the picture of a child. Remember children were not expected to live until they left infancy. The disciples had even hindered them from coming to Jesus (Matthew 19:14)

We often forget to see ourselves as children. God does need use to accomplish his will! We need him.

The disciples were likely protecting their pride instead of Jesus’ ministry. (vs. 39-41)

The disciples had just failed to exercise a demon, yet this man was able to do so.

Matthew 12:30 ESV

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

, Acts 19 - The Sons of Sceva

The Death of Sin (vs. 42-50)

As followers of Jesus, we must take radical steps to die to sin!

Plucking out that which causes us to sin is painful but worth it!

First, we ought to recognize our sin

Second, confess our sin to God and others (James 5:16)

Third, make a plan to kill our sin.

Our sin affects us and those around us.

Death to sin requires union with Christ and his people.

If we have been united to Christ that means we have been united to his bride.

We have union with God and unity in the family.