24.154 | DO FOLLOW JESUS | Mark 8:34-38 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word for Today 27 June, 2024 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.” -Mark 8:34-38 ESV DO FOLLOW JESUS Firstly, to follow Jesus is a choice. The phrase ‘If anyone would come after me’ is an invitation for us to decide personally. There are many ‘professors’ but few ‘possessors’ of true faith in Christ. Good deeds are evidence of true faith as the shadow is to the man. Following Jesus has conditions. There is a denial of self. The word ‘deny yourself’ means to forget your own self-interest. It doesn't mean abandoning worldly comforts like a monk or rigid actions via spiritual disciplines. It means to refuse our rights and privileges that get in the way of God's kingdom. What, specifically, we will have to deny depends on our situation. It could be comfort, worldly responsibilities, or even the connection to our family or past (Luke 9:57–62). Moreover, we are to take up our cross daily. It doesn't mean to accept a specific burden from God. It's parallel in meaning to "deny [your]self." If we learn to sacrifice ourselves to God, we won't fret about sacrificing our things. We will belong to God, not to our things, position, reputation, or comfort. Following Jesus is most commendable. Jesus said, ”For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.” There are little ‘deaths’ we should embrace in following Jesus. Rift in familial relationships and persecutions may happen.[Mat 10:35-36, 2 Tim 3:12] But the Bible promises compensation or rewards. Jesus calls those who listen to Him His own family (Mark 3:33–35). And God will give rewards in heaven to those who are persecuted on Jesus' account (Mat 5:12). In a rhetorical question, Jesus asked, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” Obviously, nothing! Jesus condemns people's desire for "the world." His subjects should abide in His kingdom laws.[Matt 6:33] Nothing in the world is more precious than our life—our immortal soul's potential to live for eternity in God’s presence. Jesus knew this when Satan offered Him the world (Mat 4:8–10). Not only would Jesus not sacrifice His own integrity for the world, He would not sacrifice our souls for our comfort. Lastly, it’s our source of comfort or pleasure. True followers of Jesus are not ashamed of His name. here, Jesus warns the disciples that their idea of what is shameful and what is honorable is completely warped. Later in the book of Acts, the Jewish authorities has called in the apostles, who preached Jesus. They beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.[Acts 5:40,41] As John Piper said, “God is most glorified in us when we are the most satisfied in Him.” Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio #gospellightfilipino #godswordfortoday #bookofMark