Taking Up Your Cross. Mark 8:34-38

I realize it's been a little while since I've posted anything on the site and honestly I've missed doing it. Summers in youth ministry are busy times and I hope when you see that there is no post on the site you'll pray for us.

I've posted this particular passage because of a few conversations I've had with people in the past couple of weeks. I'm realizing that there are a lot of people out there that don't really have a clue what it means to be a Christian. Trust me, I don't say that with arrogance and I'm not suggesting I have it all figured out. However, I have read the bible and you'd be amazed at the things people will say is Christianity that have absolutely nothing to do with the scripture. We must let scripture define what it means to know God, follow Jesus, and love people.

This passage is clear. If you want to know what it means to follow Jesus this is it...you die. You take up your cross, or your preferred mode of execution and lose your life. Why? Because that's what Jesus did. He did it because it was the only path to real life. The same is true for us. If you want a real life, you have to give up your life. It makes plenty of sense if you think about it. You can't have a terrible life and a great life. You have to give up one or the other because they cannot coexist with one another. Pick the good life, give up your life.

Mark 8:34-38
34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

VBS Break

It was not intentional, but the site has been on a break for the past few days. We've been doing vacation bible school at the church and there just hasn't been a lot of time to get online and update the site. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused for you. We should be back up and running next week with posts every day. Grace and peace.

There are a number of principles in this passage that you could pick out and write about. The one of particular interest to me during this time is the call to anxiety-free living. What a challenge to live a life that is fully dependent upon the Lord! It's so easy to think about things to the point of worrying about them. What we don't always realize is that any time we start to worry we are removing our trust from the Lord and placing it on something else...usually ourselves. This passage encourages us to lean on the Lord and rejoice in what he has done for us.

Philippians 4:4-9
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Questions
1. How do you think you can keep from worrying about challenges in life?
2. What is the most difficult thing for you to keep from worrying about?
3. What did you enjoy most about this passage?

Words. Ephesians 4:20-29

I know I'm moving backwards in Ephesians, but I wanted to spend a little more time on this idea of living in Christ and as I continued to read I found an interesting point that Paul makes with this passage from chapter four to five.

The way we came to know Christ is by hearing of him and being taught truth. It's no wonder then that he gives such a strong challenge to keep what we say in check. It should build up, edify and encourage because words are powerful. If they can bring truth and encourage they can also divide and destroy.

Ephesians 4:20-29
20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Questions
1. Why do you think this passage is so interested in what we say?
2. How have you experienced the power of words in your own life?
3. What did you learn today?

Living. Ephesians 5:1-7

This is a challenging passage that calls us to be imitators of God; to love as Christ loved. It then goes on to give examples of things that are the opposite of what we're called to. It shows how we can miss God in how we talk, how we act and in the condition of our hearts.

The good news is we don't have to try to not do that whole list of bad things, what we need to do is focus on living a life of love. You'll mature in understanding of what that means the longer your follow Christ, but the bottom line is to love. Love like Jesus loved.

Ephesians 5:1-7
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

Questions
1. What did you learn about God through this passage?
2. What did you learn about yourself?
3. What's one area you think you could be more loving?