If everything in life comes at a price, how much does following Jesus cost you? This sermon dwells on the words from the Gospel of Mark (Mark 8): whoever wants to follow Jesus must deny himself and take up his cross, a call that has nothing to do with a marketing promise of an easy life. From amusing complaints of tourists about wild nature to the moving story of the preacher’s great-grandfather, imprisoned for his faith, we hear that selective obedience is not discipleship, and that refusing to decide costs even more. Listen and weigh whether Jesus is worth giving him everything.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- In Mark 8:34 Jesus calls the crowd to "deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me." What did the cross mean to the first listeners, and why would these words have sounded so radical to them?
- Right after confessing "You are the Messiah," Peter rebukes Jesus because he expects glory rather than suffering. In what ways do your own expectations of following Jesus resemble Peter's thinking?
- The sermon mentioned tourists complaining about rocks on a mountain trail and the so-called "flexitarians." In which areas of your life is it easiest for you to practice selective obedience, on your own terms?
- Jesus asks, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" How do you understand losing your soul, if it refers to identity, conscience and relationship with God, not only life after death?
- The speaker stressed that discipleship has a cost, but so does refusing it. What does a person lose by not following Jesus, and how does that change the way you see the cost of faith?
- Where this week, at work, at school or among friends, are you tempted to stay silent about Jesus out of fear of what others think, and what one concrete step of courage can you take there?
