KING’S CROSS KING’S CROSS KING’S CROSS Part 1: The Cross and Discipleship Part 1: The Cross and Discipleship Part 1: The Cross and Discipleship Mark 8:27-9:1 Mark 8:27-9:1 Mark 8:27-9:1 Resurrection power follows crucifixion. Resurrection power follows crucifixion. Resurrection power follows crucifixion. The only way to be a Christian is to personally enter into this dynamic by The only way to be a Christian is to personally enter into this dynamic by The only way to be a Christian is to personally enter into this dynamic by surrendering our self-determination to King Jesus. surrendering our self-determination to King Jesus. surrendering our self-determination to King Jesus. When Peter challenges Jesus, he receives Jesus’ stern rebuke (v. 33). Jesus tells When Peter challenges Jesus, he receives Jesus’ stern rebuke (v. 33). Jesus tells When Peter challenges Jesus, he receives Jesus’ stern rebuke (v. 33). Jesus tells Peter that he’s thinking the wrong way about the nature of Jesus’ Kingship – “You Peter that he’s thinking the wrong way about the nature of Jesus’ Kingship – “You Peter that he’s thinking the wrong way about the nature of Jesus’ Kingship – “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Here we encounter a fundamental truth: there’s a way of man and a way of Here we encounter a fundamental truth: there’s a way of man and a way of Here we encounter a fundamental truth: there’s a way of man and a way of God, and they are radically different (Isaiah 55:8-9). Left to ourselves, without the God, and they are radically different (Isaiah 55:8-9). Left to ourselves, without the God, and they are radically different (Isaiah 55:8-9). Left to ourselves, without the intervention of grace, we will not think rightly about God and His ways. intervention of grace, we will not think rightly about God and His ways. intervention of grace, we will not think rightly about God and His ways. I. The Law of the Kingdom of God: I. The Law of the Kingdom of God: I. The Law of the Kingdom of God: Resurrection Power Follows Crucifixion (8:31-33) Resurrection Power Follows Crucifixion (8:31-33) Resurrection Power Follows Crucifixion (8:31-33) Jesus paradoxically joins together two Old Testament figures: the Son of Man Jesus paradoxically joins together two Old Testament figures: the Son of Man Jesus paradoxically joins together two Old Testament figures: the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14) and the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). He tells us that His (Daniel 7:13-14) and the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). He tells us that His (Daniel 7:13-14) and the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). He tells us that His crucifixion must precede His resurrection (v. 31). crucifixion must precede His resurrection (v. 31). crucifixion must precede His resurrection (v. 31). “Jesus can be known as ‘Son of God’ only when he is known as the crucified “Jesus can be known as ‘Son of God’ only when he is known as the crucified “Jesus can be known as ‘Son of God’ only when he is known as the crucified one.” Richard Hayes, “The Moral Vision of the New Testament” one.” Richard Hayes, “The Moral Vision of the New Testament” one.” Richard Hayes, “The Moral Vision of the New Testament” This is a law of the Kingdom of God: resurrection power follows crucifixion; This is a law of the Kingdom of God: resurrection power follows crucifixion; This is a law of the Kingdom of God: resurrection power follows crucifixion; new life follows death. This is the only way to receive and experience the new new life follows death. This is the only way to receive and experience the new new life follows death. This is the only way to receive and experience the new life of God’s Kingdom. What’s true for the Son of God is true for us (v. 34). life of God’s Kingdom. What’s true for the Son of God is true for us (v. 34). life of God’s Kingdom. What’s true for the Son of God is true for us (v. 34). II. The Only Way to be a Christian (8:34 – 9:1) II. The Only Way to be a Christian (8:34 – 9:1) II. The Only Way to be a Christian (8:34 – 9:1) A. God’s Way for Identity and Life (v.35-37). A. God’s Way for Identity and Life (v.35-37). A. God’s Way for Identity and Life (v.35-37). The word for “life/soul” (psuche = seat of your personality; your identity; The word for “life/soul” (psuche = seat of your personality; your identity; The word for “life/soul” (psuche = seat of your personality; your identity; selfhood = what makes you distinct). Don’t look for your identity within or selfhood = what makes you distinct). Don’t look for your identity within or selfhood = what makes you distinct). Don’t look for your identity within or without, in the things of this world. Look for your true identity and life in without, in the things of this world. Look for your true identity and life in without, in the things of this world. Look for your true identity and life in Jesus (Colossians 1:15-17). Jesus (Colossians 1:15-17). Jesus (Colossians 1:15-17). In traditional cultures, one’s sense of identity is largely worked out in In traditional cultures, one’s sense of identity is largely worked out in In traditional cultures, one’s sense of identity is largely worked out in relation to others in the family or community. One’s identity is secured if relation to others in the family or community. One’s identity is secured if relation to others in the family or community. One’s identity is secured if one conforms to the expectations of the family or community. one conforms to the expectations of the family or community. one conforms to the expectations of the family or community. In modern cultures (like ours), one’s identity is not derived from the In modern cultures (like ours), one’s identity is not derived from the In modern cultures (like ours), one’s identity is not derived from the relationship with others, but from within you. We believe we find ourselves relationship with others, but from within you. We believe we find ourselves relationship with others, but from within you. We believe we find ourselves by looking within and asserting ourselves regardless of what anyone by looking within and asserting ourselves regardless of what anyone by looking within and asserting ourselves regardless of what anyone else says. This way of thinking is called “expressive individualism” or the else says. This way of thinking is called “expressive individualism” or the else says. This way of thinking is called “expressive individualism” or the “sovereign self.” “sovereign self.” “sovereign self.” 03.04.18 03.04.18 03.04.18 B. Surrender Your Self-Determination to Jesus (v. 34) B. Surrender Your Self-Determination to Jesus (v. 34) B. Surrender Your Self-Determination to Jesus (v. 34) “Christians give up the right to self-determination. Christians give up the “Christians give up the right to self-determination. Christians give up the “Christians give up the right to self-determination. Christians give up the right to decide how to live – they live as Christ directs. … Inseparable right to decide how to live – they live as Christ directs. … Inseparable right to decide how to live – they live as Christ directs. … Inseparable from following Jesus is the cost of the cross. There is no other example from following Jesus is the cost of the cross. There is no other example from following Jesus is the cost of the cross. There is no other example he gives.” Tim Keller he gives.” Tim Keller he gives.” Tim Keller “Don’t think that the cross is simply the wheelchair, or an irritating job, or “Don’t think that the cross is simply the wheelchair, or an irritating job, or “Don’t think that the cross is simply the wheelchair, or an irritating job, or an irksome mother-in-law. The cross is the place where you die to sin and an irksome mother-in-law. The cross is the place where you die to sin and an irksome mother-in-law. The cross is the place where you die to sin and live to God.” Joni Eareckson Tada live to God.” Joni Eareckson Tada live to God.” Joni Eareckson Tada “Jesus never concealed the fact that his religion included a demand as “Jesus never concealed the fact that his religion included a demand as “Jesus never concealed the fact that his religion included a demand as well as an offer. Indeed, the demand was as total as the offer was free. well as an offer. Indeed, the demand was as total as the offer was free. well as an offer. Indeed, the demand was as total as the offer was free. If he offered men his salvation, he also demanded their submission….In If he offered men his salvation, he also demanded their submission….In If he offered men his salvation, he also demanded their submission….In order to follow Christ we must not only forsake isolated sins but renounce order to follow Christ we must not only forsake isolated sins but renounce order to follow Christ we must not only forsake isolated sins but renounce the very principle of self-will which lies at the root of every act of sin.