Today preaching from Mark 8:27-38 with the topic: Are we prepared to suffer for Christ? The gist is we have our own ideas about Jesus and how our lives will be when we follow Him. Peter knew He was the Christ but was wrong in his assumptions of what Jesus’ roles and responsibilities were. How about us? Do we think life will be nicer and have less challenges when we follow Christ? We will be wrong. Following Christ means putting ourselves at the back. JOY. Jesus first, Yourself last and Others in between. Jesus promised us challenges and suffering when we follow Him. Are we ready to follow Him? Have hope and faith. In this season of Lent we remember that He suffered and died. But on the third day He rose from the dead and was victorious. We will suffer but in the end, we will be victorious with Jesus. Ready to follow Him? Let’s walk this walk together. We find it difficult? We sang the response song God will make a way, to remind us who we should depend on in this life.

1. Are we
prepared to
suffer for
Christ?
2nd Sunday in Lent: 25th February 2024
All scripture references taken from https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/index.php
All images and visuals taken from the Internet

2. What is going on today?
How do we know people?
When we introduce ourselves what do we say?
I am….
I work at….
I do….
[Accountant, Teacher,
Lawyer, Homemaker,
Retiree, Student…]

3. Today…
What does God’s Word have to say to us today?
Mark 8:27-38

4. 27 Jesus and his disciples went on
to the villages around Caesarea
Philippi. On the way he asked
them, “Who do people say I
am?”
28 They replied, “Some say John
the Baptist; others say Elijah; and
still others, one of the prophets.”
29 “But what about you?” he
asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the
Messiah.”
30 Jesus warned them not to tell
anyone about him.

5. What is the message for TODAY?
Jesus’ identity and purpose
Generally, the people guessed quite close, but they do
not really know God’s plan
Peter correctly answered, “the Christ”.
We as followers generally know Him too
DO we really?

6. • 31 He then began to teach them that the
Son of Man must suffer many things and
be rejected by the elders, the chief
priests and the teachers of the law, and
that he must be killed and after three
days rise again.
• 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter
took him aside and began to rebuke him.
• 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at
his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get
behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not
have in mind the concerns of God, but
merely human concerns.”

7. What is the message for TODAY?
Jesus’ way and His followers as well
• Jesus shared the journey He had to make…
• Peter disagreed, because he misunderstood the way of Christ
• Jesus rebuked Peter, because Peter needed to know way of
this Christ, not as what people expect, but the plan of God

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

9. What is the message for TODAY?
What does this mean for us today?
Jesus needed to suffer as part of God’s redemption plan
So do we, as part of our sanctification journeys
Following Christ? Discipleship is costly
Suffering for Christ is that, not just hardship in a broken
world

10. What is the message for TODAY?
Let go of earthly
things, hang on to
the things of God
Serve the poor
and oppressed in
dependence of
God
Pray for the world,
for healing, for
people to know
Christ in
dependence of
the Holy Spirit

11. God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

12. He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

13. By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
Rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today