Mark 8:27-38 Three simple questions we all must consider: 1. THE SON QUESTION: The Person of Christ: who is he? a. His Humanity: Who did people think He was? [27-28] John Baptist? (No; he and jesus contemporaries). Elijah? (No; he appeared with Moses and Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration). One of the prophets? (which one?). He is Son of Man (Mary); perfect man; the Second Adam.. b. His Deity: Who do you think He is? [29] The Christ (Messiah) of God? He is God incarnate; Son of God; fully divine; the Second Person of the Trinity. Immanuel, God-with-us.. 2. THE SIN QUESTION: The Work of Christ: why did he come? a. He came to Suffer for us [31a] "The Son of Man, he said, is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes. . .". /Living He loved me. . ./ b. He came to Die for us [31b] ". . .and to be put to death. . .". The wages of sin is death (but the hours are good?). We have abolished the death penalty; but God has not! /Dying He saved me; buried He carried my sins far away. . ./ c. He came to Rise again for us [31c] "...and to be raised up on the third day.". God has not abolished the death penalty; He has abolished Death! /Rising He justified, freely for ever. . ./ d. He will Come again for us [38b] "When he comes in his own glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels." /One day He's coming; O glorious day!/ 3. THE SELF QUESTION: The Work of the Christian: What about me? a. We must value Christ above Self. [34-35] Renounce self; take up our cross; follow Him daily. Never mind our ambition; what about His vocation? No self-denial, no grace; no cross, no crown. Lord, what will you have me to do? b. We must value Christ above Pelf. (Wealth) [36] It is not throwing your life away to follow Jesus. On the contrary, not to follow Jesus is to throw your life away into hell. You can't take your loot away with you; there are no pockets in a shroud. c. We must value Christ above Praise. [38a] He was not ashamed to die for us on the cross. Will you be ashamed of Christ or His Word? He who believes in Him will not be ashamed (Rom 10.11). He who laughs last laughs longest; we will have the last laugh..
