Title: FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST AND THE GOSPEL
Focus: Consider small group ministry a part of Christian discipleship for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
Function: To encourage the people to evaluate the opportunity to small group ministry in light of Jesus’ call to discipleship for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
Text: Mark 8:27-38
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” These words of Jesus, issued to his disciples and a large crowd surrounding Jesus, are taking on a new ring today. For example, a large segment of the Muslim world is in uproar today about a lecture of Pope Benedict given sometime last week. Some of the pope’s observations from a 14th century document about the relationship between Christians and Muslims are seen as highly controversial today. The leader of the Christian Church in Rome is now the object of Islamic wrath.
The meaning of denying yourself and loosing one’s life for the sake of Christ and the gospel is becoming more and more a subject of discussion among average Christians in western societies such as ours. I think, for example, that it is fair to observe that Christians in America feel more and more “marginalized” by a generation of secularists and agnostics whose influence is felt in universities, in courts across the land, and in public schools and places across America. There are all kinds of spiritual forces at work today—forces that confront us with questions about commitment and loyalty to Christ and the Christian faith.
Though we may not like this opposition to the Christ, the Church, and to Christians in general, one of the things such opposition forces us to do is to take a stance, to show our spiritual color of commitment to the Christian faith, and to ponder every day the meaning of Jesus’ words “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
How shall we grow strong in faith and mature as disciples of Jesus in an increasingly complex and hostile world? I do not have a comprehensive answer to that question. But in light of the scriptures and in light of the Spirit’s movement in our church, I invite you to consider small group ministries a part of Christian formation and discipleship for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
As we consider the gospel reading and the text in vs. 34 and 35, let me be upfront with you: No, this passage does not command Christians to be part of a small group ministry. I therefore refuse to hold the text before us as a mandate to all Christians to be part of a small group ministry.
Having said this, however, does not stop us from applying Jesus’ words in the context of today’s hostility toward Christ and the gospel, and in the context of growing strong in faith. In fact, there are a number of reasons to reflect upon this passage in light of small group fellowship and Christian growth.
The passage, for example, deals with Peter’s (and ours) confession of Christ (vs. 27-33); and it deals with the cost of discipleship (vs. 33-38) In other words, Jesus’ identity and our commitment to Jesus and all he stands for are legitimate items for the church and her members to consider.
Also, Jesus’ model of discipleship is worthy of consideration for us today. Note, for example, that Jesus formed a small group of 12 people, for a specific purpose of preparing them for the task of spreading the gospel after Jesus has ascended into heaven. They, in turn, are called to evangelize people and make them and shape or form them into disciples. Spreading the good news and making disciples—thus gathering a body of believers into a universal community called ‘the church’—is very much on Jesus’ agenda as he forms and deals with his immediate circle of friends called his “disciples.”
In the passage, Jesus teaches his disciples by raising provocative questions: “Who do people say I am? Who do you say I am?” He also confronts and holds his friends accountable, thus taking Peter to the “woodshed” telling him: “Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” At all times, however, Jesus’ 12 disciples know that he loves them. I am convinced that Jesus’ small group model of discipleship powerfully formed his inner circle of friends in their faith of Jesus.
Pastor Todd Hilkemann preached on this passage a few weeks ago. His emphasis took on a different focus than mine today. I would like us to focus on the text and emphasize that, in light of the scriptures and in light of the Spirit’s movement in our church, we should consider at Calvary Church small group ministries a part of Christian formation and discipleship for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
Jesus calls us to deny ourselves. Listen: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” The first thing that I notice from this text is that being a Christian is not a “solo” thing. At minimum, being a disciple calls for a relationship with Jesus, where the One leads; the other follows. I cannot go off on my own and write my own script of Christian pilgrimage. I cannot be a follower of Christ and tell him where to go. Jesus expects us to come after him, to follow him in his footsteps.
I like what an ancient preacher by the name of Caesarius of Arles once said in a sermon: “When the Lord tells us in the Gospel that anyone who wants to be his follower must renounce himself, the injunction seems harsh; we think he is imposing a burden on us. But an order is no burden when it is given by One who helps in carrying it out. To what place are we to follow Christ if not where he has already gone? We know that he has risen and ascended into heaven; there, then, we must follow him. There is no cause for despair—by ourselves we can do nothing, but we have Christ’s promise…One who claims to abide in Christ ought to walk as he walked” (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, p. 113). Christian discipleship, then, calls for a living dynamic relationship with Christ. And we can never foster such a relationship on our own, or in our own strength.
Secondly, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross. The call to self-denial and cross-bearing is not very popular. At minimum, however, each one of us will understand that Jesus is asking us to make sacrifices. This is also clear from what Jesus says next: (vs. 35) “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” So, making sacrifices for the sake of Christ and the gospel (which is part of self-denial and cross-bearing), is not an option for you and me. It’s part and parcel of Christian maturity and discipleship.
Historically, Christians have understood Jesus’ words about self-denial and cross-bearing in the category of making personal sacrifices ranging from putting to death the desires of our sinful human nature, to living a life that conforms less to the culture and norms of the world and more to the rule of Christ’s kingdom, Word, and Spirit, to a willingness to accept physical sufferings and misery as part of our task as Christians, yes, even to a willingness to die at the hand of persecution for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
One ancient Christian leader (Tertullian) has said: “Your cross means your own anxieties and your sufferings in your own body….”; Another (St. Augustine) said: “What else does the cross mean than the mortality of this flesh…We suffer momentarily until death is swallowed up in victory. Then this cross itself will be crucified.” And again, another has said: “While there is much in the world to love, it is best loved in relation to the One who made it. The world is beautiful, but much fairer is the One who fashioned it…(let us) not love the creature more than the creator. God has given us earthly possessions in order that we may love him with our whole heart and soul.” (pp. 112-114). In short, the life of discipleship is a life of personal sacrifice.
Elsewhere in Scripture, we hear similar calls: Paul said “…in view of God’s mercy…I urge you to present your bodies as living sacrifices….” (Rom. 12:1,2). And Peter wrote to the church: “…you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 2:5).
Jesus issues the call to discipleship on account of him and the gospel with a rationale. He says: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses h is life for me and for the gospel will save it.” Here is a truth to ponder: Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ is God’s work, God’s doing; salvation is by God’s grace wrought in our hearts by God’s Holy Spirit, based entirely on the work of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus—his work on the cross and in the tomb, and in heaven today. And that saving grace of God we receive by faith “which is the hand and mouth of our souls” (Belgic Confession, Art. 35)
Here is another truth to ponder: Whereas becoming a follower of Jesus Christ is by God’s grace alone, being and growing as a follower of Jesus calls for sacrifices and work on our part. Thus Paul says in Eph. 2:10 that we “…are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” And in Philippians 2:12 and 13 Paul can say: “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
All of these observations from the Scripture lead me to say: Let us not deny that God calls for sacrificial living as disciples of Christ. In fact, let us accept and embrace all sacrifices that may be required from us today and in the future for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
It’s in this light that I encourage each one of us to consider the small group ministry opportunities extended to all of us today.
Small groups, of course, have always been part of the church’s ministry. But now we wish to intentionally promote such ministry. And the leadership of Calvary seeks to pay special attention to what is needed in small groups for people to grow strong and mature as disciples of Christ today.
Why now? Well, we have said together in the formulation of our vision statement that we seek to lead people to a growing and committed relationship with Christ and his church. And we have covenanted together to do so by creating environments where people can know, serve, and share Christ through regular Bible study and prayer, and a commitment to friendship, mutual support and spiritual accountability. So now we walk our talk. We do so in light of Christ’s teachings, and in light of the Spirit’s movement and direction setting these last few years and months.
Let’s do it—let’s consider small group ministry a part of Christian discipleship, and as part of our response to Christ and the gospel.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.