I. Introduction

1. Mark is considered the “earliest” of the Gospels

• Scholars tend to believe that the authors of Matthew & Luke used Mark as a reference to some degree as part of their research
• Addressed to the Church in Rome (or Italy in general)
  John Mark was an interpreter for Peter on his travels (very possible that John Mark interpreted Peters epistles to Asia)
• This Gospel is obviously written to a gentile audience; many Jewish terms are interpreted

Major Themes of Book of Mark

• Jesus as the true Israelite (we talked about this last week)
• Jesus as the Son of God (again, last week)
  The Gospel as the Power of God – Mark emphasizes the importance of preaching and teaching
• Mission to the Gentiles – Mark emphasizes Jesus’ interest in the Gentiles and the validity of the church’s mission to the Gentiles
  

II. First: Peter’s Confession

1. Jesus asks, “Who to men say that I am?” – Does He ask this for informational purposes??? No!
   • If no, why would He ask His disciples a question to which He already knows the answer???
   • Christ asked them so that they would hear the answer and observe Peter’s confession themselves!
   • Key: What we say and do are usually different things.
   • Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ; Matt Ch 16 includes Jesus’ statement that God has revealed this to Peter and praises Peter’s confession
   • Mark’s version does not include this praise; again, perhaps it is Peter’s humility that causes John Mark to leave this out
2. After teaching them of His coming trial & death, Peter rebukes Jesus
   • Caveat: Peter is leading with his concern for Jesus’ well-being, BUT he is not exercising the belief to which he just confessed!
   • Do we identify with Peter? – I do; I often declare my love for Christ in one breath and disobey him with the next
3. What presuppositions or pre-conceived notions do we have about God/Jesus?
   i. Society – distant; not all powerful; not the Creator
   ii. How does this affect our belief system? Does society’s worldview affect our own?
   e) This is why Jesus, in verse 30, instructs them not to reveal who He really is!
   • Jesus does not want any political notions of the Messiah to compromise His ministry; His true calling is to serve and suffer – not solve political/military concerns!
   • Is it any wonder when the leader of the disciples (Peter) can’t believe the very words from his Savior’s mouth that Jesus would instruct them in this way?!
   

III. Second: True Discipleship

• As Christians, how are we to behave?
• Deny ourselves – humility
• Take up our cross – bear the burdens of others / Christ
• Follow Christ – obedience, worship, see Christ in our lives
• Lose our lives (not necessarily literally) for Christ

• Socially
• Financially
• Professionally
• Who has experienced any of these?

• What does this kind of Christian not look like?
• Desires
• Prayer life
• Relationships
• Actions

• As we are saved in Christ, we also take part in His suffering
  • Again, we look at Peter, in I Peter 4:12 – “Beloved, do not think it is strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.”
  • Key: Peter speaks from experience as one who was given the chance to stand up for Christ (after his trial), failed (3 times), was restored by Christ, and prevailed in the end
• What does it mean to lose one’s life?
  • Not profit for one’s self – doesn’t mean that you should neglect your basic needs altogether
  • Do all for God’s glory – realize that we are in the positions we are in because it brings God the glory (His purposes)
  • Serve others
  

IV. Wrap-up

• How does Christ’s instructions on discipleship affect us in our day/time?
  • David Whitehead – “Unfortunately, we live in an age where Christianity has become a product. From Christian mints to bobble head Jesus, the faith has been commercialized to the point that we go to the church of our choice, we rate the preacher or music, we’ll even opt for online community because sacred space and live people seem too inconvenient. We’ve created a consumer Christian who, according to recent polls, is more dissatisfied with their spiritual walk than ever. But the true Christian message is one of denial, not convenience. A cross-less Christ becomes stale bread and cheap wine. It has not power and therefore can be easily parodied and marketed.”
• What is the good news?
  • (v 38) He is coming back in full glory for His people
  • There is forgiveness and redemption in spite of our worst sins (see Peter)
  • Eternally, we are all gaining even though we are constantly struggling.