In Focus
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
Discuss series of SENT
PRAYER
Eye doctor appointment (Which is clearer?)
Transition to text
There are many parts when it comes to following Jesus. This morning we are going to look at a few familiar sections of scripture to see how Jesus is the lens.
Mark 8:22-38
Transition to Main Point
As we look at these verses we see a back and forth between clarity and misunderstanding. Sent followers need Jesus to daily bring focus.
MAIN POINT: Since we are confused people, we need Jesus to see clearly.
MAIN POINT: Since we are confused people, we need Jesus to see clearly.
Jesus focuses our eyes
Jesus focuses our eyes
EXPLAIN
Blind man healed in two stages (Verses 22-26)
Unique miracle because it comes in stages
Mark is the only gospel to record this miracle
The Man sees shapes that look like trees.
How did he know what trees looked like?
ARGUE
Was Jesus not powerful enough to heal him with one action? No! He used this to demonstrate the disciples unclear view of what God was doing.
Mark 8:21 “And he said to them, “Don’t you understand yet?””
ILLUSTRATE
The purpose of Bi-focals/Readers
APPLICATION
Jesus brings clarity in revealing the Word of God.
Jesus focuses our eyes on God’s will over our own.
Decide who Jesus is to you
Decide who Jesus is to you
EXPLAIN
Peter proclaims Jesus as Messiah (27-30)
Jesus asked two questions
Who do people say that I am?
Disciples respond with what other people respond
Who do you say that I am?
Jesus presses into the personal realization of himself to the disciples.
Peter responds with You are the Messiah
Peter gets one right…for now
Jesus warned them not to tell anyone.
ARGUE
Why did Jesus warn them? Didn’t Jesus want everyone to know who He was?
Jesus wanted people to realize His divinity through God, not man telling them.
ILLUSTRATE
Ask up to 5 questions to find the heart of the situation
APPLICATION
Who do you say Jesus is? Is He is the Messiah, your Lord?
How does your life reveal who He is to you?
God knows what’s best
God knows what’s best
EXPLAIN
Jesus predicts his death(31-33)
Jesus spoke openly about the necessity for the Son of Man to be killed and rise again.
The implication of Jesus saying Son of Man.
His Authority
Daniel 7:13–14 “I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.”
Openly-Jesus was speaking in a setting that anyone could hear him.
ARGUE
Why did Peter rebuke Jesus?
Peter did not see Jesus dying and being rejected as a part of the Messiah’s plan.
Strong rebuke for someone that acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah.
ILLUSTRATE
Putting my first grill together in Hays. Legs were put on backward and it
APPLICATION
Do not tell God what is best. Be quiet and have God reveal His purpose and plan in your life.
We can sacrifice because of His Sacrifice
We can sacrifice because of His Sacrifice
EXPLAIN
The cost of following Jesus (34-38)
Following Jesus requires:
Denying self and taking up our own cross
Bonhoeffer
The Preacher’s Notebook: The Collected Quotes, Illustrations, and Prayers of John Stott Cheap Grace and Costly Grace
“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die” (pp. 8 and 73).
The Preacher’s Notebook: The Collected Quotes, Illustrations, and Prayers of John Stott Cheap Grace and Costly Grace
Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our church. We are fighting today for costly grace. Cheap grace means grace sold on the market like cheapjack’s wares. The sacraments, the forgiveness of sin, and the consolations of religion are thrown away at cut prices … grace without price, grace without cost!… Everything can be had for nothing
Like when the criminals being crucified show submission to the Roman authority through carrying the cross, taking up our cross DAILY (Luke 9:23) shows our submission to Christ’s ultimate authority.
Lose life because of Christ alludes to taking up your cross
ARGUE
This sounds uncomfortable and against all cultural aspects. The American dream is not the dream God commands from us.
ILLUSTRATE
Imagine opening a joint bank account where one party holds total ownership, but grants you daily spending privileges for specific assignments. Surrender is not depositing our hard-earned funds into God's bank as a tax or charity donation; it is recognizing that the entire account balance—our energy, calendar, and gifts—already belongs to Him. Each morning, instead of running off with the debit card to fund our private desires, we present the ledger to Christ and ask, "Which line items are Authorized under Your kingdom budget today?"
APPLICATION
Discipleship is a daily act of surrendering to the authority of Christ.
