Embracing Discipleship: The Cost and Hope in Christ
Summary
This morning, we gathered to celebrate the faithfulness of God in the lives of our graduating students, Ella and Logan, and to reflect on the profound call of discipleship as seen in Mark 6. The story of John the Baptist’s beheading by Herod Antipas is a sobering reminder of the cost of following Christ. John’s unwavering commitment to truth, even in the face of death, stands in stark contrast to Herod’s fear of public opinion and his enslavement to sin and guilt. Herod’s inability to see Jesus for who He truly is was rooted in his own unresolved guilt and the desire to please others rather than God.
We are challenged to examine our own hearts: Are we allowing sin or guilt to blind us to the blessings and truth of Christ? Are we more concerned with the opinions of others than with the call of God on our lives? The passage makes clear that following Jesus is not a guarantee of comfort or earthly success. In fact, it often leads to greater sacrifice and storms, as it did for John the Baptist. Yet, the meaning and purpose of life are not found in the fleeting pleasures or accolades of this world, but in knowing, enjoying, and reflecting the beauty of God in Christ.
The invitation is to make Jesus the hero of our story, to trust Him as the center of all history and the only Redeemer. This means embracing a life of sacrifice, knowing that the cost of not following Jesus is far greater—eternal separation from God. The hope we have is that Jesus has overcome the world. Our present sufferings, though real, are light and momentary compared to the eternal glory that awaits those who trust in Him. We are called to live each day in light of eternity, offering our lives as living sacrifices, confident that God can use us right where we are, just as He used John the Baptist—even in prison. Jesus is worth living and dying for, and in Him, we find the true meaning and hope that endures beyond this life.
Key Takeaways
- Sin and guilt can blind us to the reality and blessings of Christ. Herod’s inability to recognize Jesus was rooted in his unresolved guilt over John’s death, showing how our own hearts can be clouded by unconfessed sin. We must ask ourselves if we are trading the blessings of God for the fleeting satisfaction of sin, and seek the freedom that comes from repentance and faith. [38:00]
- The fear of man is a powerful force that can lead us to betray our convictions. Herod valued the opinions of his peers above the truth, resulting in a tragic decision that cost John his life. We are called to care more about what God thinks than what people say, remembering that only God’s judgment is eternal and true. [43:30]
- Following Jesus will inevitably involve sacrifice, sometimes voluntary and sometimes imposed by circumstances. The call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ is not a call to comfort but to costly obedience. Yet, it is in this sacrifice that we find true spiritual worship and the deepest joy. [52:59]
- The meaning and purpose of life are not found in comfort, pleasure, or the avoidance of suffering, but in knowing and enjoying God, and reflecting His beauty to the world. Even in a world marked by pain and loss, God’s purpose is to draw us into deeper relationship with Him and to shine His light through us. [45:48]
- Jesus has overcome the world, and our present sufferings are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory. The trials and sacrifices we endure now are temporary compared to the everlasting joy and reward that await us in Christ. This hope empowers us to live courageously and faithfully, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain. [52:59]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Confession of Faith: Who is the Redeemer?
[02:10] - Prayer and Worship
[04:00] - Honoring Graduates: Ella and Logan
[10:30] - Prayer for Graduates and Parents
[13:00] - Introduction to Mark 6: The Cost of Discipleship
[16:30] - The Story of Herod’s Family
[20:00] - Herod’s Guilt and John the Baptist’s Death
[29:55] - What Are You Living and Dying For?
[35:15] - The Crooked Family Tree of Herod
[36:19] - The Dance, the Oath, and John’s Execution
[38:00] - Sin, Guilt, and Spiritual Blindness
[40:51] - The Fear of Man vs. the Fear of God
[44:57] - Jesus: The Hero of History and Our Story
[52:59] - The Cost and Purpose of Following Jesus
[56:00] - Living in Light of Eternity and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Cost and Hope of Discipleship (Mark 6)
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### Bible Reading
- Mark 6:14-29 (The beheading of John the Baptist by Herod Antipas)
- Romans 12:1 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
- Luke 9:23-24 – “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’”
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### Observation Questions
1. What reasons does Mark give for Herod’s decision to have John the Baptist executed? What role did Herodias and her daughter play in this event? (Mark 6:17-28)
2. According to the sermon, what was it about Herod’s heart and conscience that kept him from recognizing who Jesus really was? [37:18]
3. What does Romans 12:1 say is our “spiritual worship”? How does this connect to the story of John the Baptist?
4. In Luke 9:23-24, what does Jesus say is required of anyone who wants to follow Him?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that Herod’s guilt and fear of public opinion blinded him to the truth about Jesus. How does unresolved guilt or the desire to please others affect a person’s ability to see and respond to God? [38:00]
2. John the Baptist was willing to speak the truth even though it cost him his life. What does this reveal about the true cost of discipleship? [42:51]
3. The sermon mentions that following Jesus often leads to more storms, not fewer. Why do you think God allows His followers to experience sacrifice and suffering, even when they are faithful? [44:18]
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between living for earthly comfort and living for eternal purpose? [45:48]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to ask: “Is your sin and guilt keeping you from seeing who Jesus really is?” Are there specific areas of unconfessed sin or guilt in your life that might be clouding your relationship with God? What would it look like to bring those into the light this week? [38:00]
2. Herod cared more about what others thought than what God wanted. In what situations are you tempted to value the opinions of others over God’s call on your life? How can you practice caring more about God’s opinion this week? [43:30]
3. John the Baptist’s life shows that following Jesus involves sacrifice. What is one area where you sense God calling you to deny yourself or “take up your cross”? What would it look like to obey in that area? [52:59]
4. The sermon says, “The meaning and purpose of life are not found in comfort, pleasure, or the avoidance of suffering, but in knowing and enjoying God, and reflecting His beauty to the world.” How does this challenge your current priorities or goals? Is there something you need to reorient in your life? [45:48]
5. The hope of the gospel is that “Jesus has overcome the world.” When you face suffering or disappointment, how can you remind yourself of the eternal glory that awaits you? Is there a practical way you can encourage yourself or others with this truth this week? [52:59]
6. The sermon invites us to “make Jesus the hero of our story.” What does that mean for you personally? Is there a specific step you can take this week to put Jesus at the center of your decisions or relationships? [46:43]
7. God used John the Baptist even while he was in prison. Do you believe God can use you right where you are, even in difficult or ordinary circumstances? What is one way you can offer yourself as a “living sacrifice” in your current situation? [52:59]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God for courage to follow Jesus no matter the cost, for freedom from guilt and fear of others, and for the joy of knowing and reflecting Christ in every circumstance.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Christ, Our Only Redeemer and Mediator
Jesus Christ is the only Redeemer, the eternal Son of God who became man and bore the penalty for our sin, standing as the sole mediator between God and humanity. In a world filled with many voices and would-be saviors, it is vital to remember that only Jesus bridges the gap between us and God, offering forgiveness, restoration, and hope to all who trust in Him. No matter our background or failures, we are invited to come to Him, knowing that He alone is able to save and intercede for us. Let your heart rest in the assurance that you do not need to earn your way to God—Jesus has already done all that is necessary. [03:00]
1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV)
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you still try to earn God’s approval, rather than resting in the finished work of Jesus as your only Redeemer and mediator?
Day 2: The Cost of Discipleship—Sacrifice and Suffering
Following Jesus comes at a cost, often requiring sacrifice, self-denial, and even suffering, as seen in the life and death of John the Baptist. True discipleship means laying down our own desires, ambitions, and comforts for the sake of Christ and His kingdom, trusting that He is worth every sacrifice. Sometimes this cost is voluntary—choosing to serve, give, or forgive when it’s hard—and sometimes it is forced upon us, as with John, who remained faithful even unto death. Yet, in every sacrifice, God is at work, shaping us to be more like Christ and using us for His glory. [52:59]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
Reflection: What is one specific comfort, habit, or ambition you sense God calling you to lay down for the sake of following Jesus more fully today?
Day 3: Living for God’s Approval, Not Man’s
It is easy to be swayed by the opinions and expectations of others, but God calls us to care more about what He thinks than what people say, for only He will judge us in the end. Herod’s tragic choice to execute John the Baptist was driven by his fear of losing face before others, reminding us how dangerous it is to let the approval of people outweigh obedience to God. Each day, we face small and large decisions where we must choose whose opinion matters most—God’s or the world’s. Ask God to reveal where you are living for the applause of others, and seek the freedom that comes from living for His pleasure alone. [43:30]
Romans 14:10 (ESV)
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Reflection: Where in your life are you most tempted to compromise your faith or values to gain the approval of others, and how can you take a step toward pleasing God instead?
Day 4: The Meaning and Purpose of Life in Christ
The true meaning of life is to know God, enjoy Him, and reflect His beauty to the world, not to pursue comfort, riches, or fleeting pleasures. In Christ, we find a purpose that transcends suffering and loss, anchoring our hope in the promise of eternal life and the coming new creation where all things will be made right. Even in a world marked by pain and brokenness, God invites us to rejoice in hope, to live for His glory, and to let our lives point others to the light of Christ. [50:30]
Romans 5:2 (ESV)
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Reflection: How can you intentionally reflect the beauty and hope of Christ to someone in your life today, even in the midst of your own challenges?
Day 5: Jesus, the Hero of History and Our Story
Jesus is not only the center of all history but also the hero of our personal stories, the One who lived, died, and rose again so we might be restored to God and live with eternal hope. No matter what storms or sacrifices we face, we can trust that Jesus has overcome the world and is preparing an eternal weight of glory for those who follow Him. Let your life be anchored in the truth that Jesus is worth living and dying for, and that every trial is light and momentary compared to the joy that awaits in His presence. [46:43]
2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV)
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
Reflection: When you face difficulties or suffering, how can you remind yourself that Jesus is the hero of your story and that your present struggles are preparing you for eternal glory?
Quotes
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