Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Introduction

Me first!

Myself second!

and if there’s anything left, I’ll take it!

Welcome to the world of “it’s all about me.”

It doesn’t take long to see that the way of the world is our way as well.

Listen to yourself when you talk.

See how many times you say “I, me, or myself.”

Or how about, “I think that...” It’s a dead giveaway that we are not talking about a problem in the sinful world, but about you and me.

Sin has infected us with the “I-me” disease!

“ We want to be the greatest, just like the disciples.

It is so much a part of us that we don’t even realize it.

But Jesus shows us a better way.

Jesus Shows the Way

For the second time in Mark, Jesus speaks of His purpose.

He has come to die.

More specifically, to “be killed”.

Those after him would ultimately get their way.

Several traps have been set, several opportunities have presented themselves to give those who hated Jesus— the Pharisees and Scribes— ammunition to begin their conspiracy against Him.

Of course, Jesus always knew why He came to earth.

To be one of us.

To experience life as we do.

But then to keep God’s law perfectly for you and me, giving us His righteousness.

Even in the midst of the plots, Jesus does not stoop to their level and sin.

And then, He knows He came to die.

To be killed.

Philippians 2:5-

Philippians 2:

This speaks of what we call the “doctrine of kenosis”— the Greek word that means “to empty”.

Jesus empties Himself, that is puts God’s will and your well being before Himself.

He becomes obedient to the Father’s will even to death, the death on a cross.

This is why He came.

To be killed.

Because of you.

Because of Me.

For you.

For me.

He is facing that cross right now.

He’s not there yet, but it’s coming.

And He fixes His eyes on Jerusalem despite what the cross means: Suffering hell for you.

Suffering death for you.

Charting the way through death for you that leads to heaven.

Such love and grace!

This is why we worship Him!

This speaks of what we call the “doctrine of kenosis”— the Greek word that means “to empty”.

Jesus empties Himself, that is He becomes obedient to the Father’s will even to death, the death on a cross.

This is why He came.

To be killed.

Because of you.

Because of Me.

For you.

For me.

He is facing that cross right now.

He’s not there yet, but it’s coming.

And He fixes His eyes on Jerusalem despite what the cross means: Suffering hell for you.

Suffering death for you.

Charting the way through death for you that leads to heaven.

Jesus Shows Where it Leads

He’s not done talking to the Disciples In the same breath Jesus tells them that after three days He will rise.

Come back from hell, come back from death, conquering them both, and guaranteeing that the water of baptism that has granted you faith in Jesus Christ will bring you with Him through His death and yours, into His glorious resurrection.

Jesus life screams, “it’s all about YOU.”

The disciples do not comprehend this.

Jesus, talking about dying again.

Like He did right after Peter confessed Him to be the Christ- when Peter rebuked Him and told Him that this should never be and Jesus told him to shut up, and called him Satan.

Right after Jesus told them

Mark 8:34-

They’d rather not talk about this.

The last time they did they got in trouble.

I-Me

What do they do?

While on that road to Capernaum the disciples argued.

Instead of denying themselves, taking up their crosses and following Jesus, they take up their own names, their own egos, and they get into a dispute about which one of them is the greatest.

What do you know?

They look at life like we do!

It’s all about ME!

Not only do they not want to talk about what Jesus had just told them, but they disregarded everything that Jesus had said.

If you’re keeping score, that is strike two against you and me as well.

They did this a lot.

Remember the conversation between Jesus and the wife of Zebedee, the mother of James and John?

… and all of the other times?

Not only were they inept, but they kept doing this!

They didn’t get it.

Oh, they would, but it would take Jesus’ death and resurrection, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and their own deaths or banishment before the jewel could be hewn out of the dross.

Jesus says to them and to you today:

Now,

Mark 9:35

Jesus isn’t acting like Emily Post here, trying to explain proper etiquette, he’s not instructing the disciples in polite behavior.

Those things come as fruits from the Holy Spirit.

Gentleness is important.

But it is not what Jesus is talking about.

We are in a war.

The old Adam within is the god of self-love.

No one ever has to be taught to be selfish.

Even babies know how to be selfish.

No one has to teach us “it’s all about me”.

We always assume that it is.

But what of me?

Can I save myself?

Am I great enough to do that?