Embracing Discipleship: The Power of Words and Suffering
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, and welcome to Atkinson Congregational Church, the Light on the Hill. Today, we gather to worship and reflect on the profound teachings of Jesus Christ. We began with a call to worship, reminding ourselves that we belong to God and are not alone. We prayed for wisdom, joy, and peace to fill our hearts and guide us in our daily lives. We confessed our sins, seeking God's mercy and forgiveness, and acknowledged the power of our words, as highlighted in the letter of James.
Our scripture readings today came from the third chapter of James and the eighth chapter of Mark's Gospel. In James, we are reminded of the power of the tongue and the importance of using our words wisely. In Mark, Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Peter responds, "You are the Christ," signifying Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. However, Jesus then speaks of his impending suffering and death, which confounds the disciples' expectations of a triumphant, earthly king.
We explored the concept of taking up our cross and following Jesus, understanding that true discipleship involves self-denial and embracing the path of suffering for the sake of the Gospel. We reflected on the lives of Christians who have faced persecution, such as Martin Niemöller, a German pastor who stood against Hitler and suffered greatly for his faith. His story reminds us that following Jesus means doing the right thing, not because it is easy or beneficial, but because it is the right thing to do.
As we navigate our own lives, we are called to make difficult choices, to stand against evil, and to live out our faith with integrity. We may not face the same level of persecution, but we will encounter temptations and challenges that test our commitment to Christ. In these moments, we must remember that our purpose is to save lives—ours and others—through self-denial and cross-bearing, which ultimately lead to life and glory in God's kingdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Words: James reminds us that our words hold immense power. We must use them wisely, avoiding gossip and harmful speech. Instead, let our words be like cool water to a parched spirit, bringing life and encouragement to others. [17:18]
2. True Discipleship: Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him, which means embracing self-denial and suffering for the sake of the Gospel. This path is not easy, but it leads to true life and fulfillment in God's kingdom. [38:35]
3. Standing Against Evil: The story of Martin Niemöller teaches us the importance of standing against evil, even at great personal cost. Following Jesus means doing the right thing, not because it is easy or beneficial, but because it is the right thing to do. [47:38]
4. Living with Integrity: In our daily lives, we will face temptations and challenges that test our commitment to Christ. We must remember that our decisions matter and strive to live with integrity, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus in all we do. [52:46]
5. The Purpose of Suffering: Self-denial and cross-bearing are not ends in themselves but are means to a greater purpose—saving lives and bringing glory to God. In the midst of suffering, we can find strength and hope in knowing that we are fulfilling God's will and advancing His kingdom. [54:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[06:51] - Announcements
[12:29] - Call to Worship
[16:14] - Opening Prayer
[17:18] - Prayer of Confession
[23:08] - Prayer Requests and Intercessions
[25:41] - The Lord's Prayer
[33:58] - Community Engagement Team
[34:53] - Offering
[38:35] - Scripture Reading: Mark 8
[39:37] - Reflection on James
[41:06] - Reflection on Mark
[47:38] - Story of Martin Niemöller
[51:10] - Modern Persecution of Christians
[52:46] - Living with Integrity
[54:21] - Closing Blessing
[59:17] - Postlude and Fellowship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 3:1-12
2. Mark 8:27-38
#### Observation Questions
1. According to James 3:1-12, what are some of the dangers associated with the tongue?
2. In Mark 8:27-30, how do the disciples respond when Jesus asks, "Who do people say I am?" and "Who do you say I am?"
3. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" in Mark 8:34?
4. How did Martin Niemöller demonstrate his faith in the face of persecution? [47:38]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize the power of the tongue and the need to control it? How can our words impact others positively or negatively?
2. What is the significance of Peter's declaration, "You are the Christ," and why did Jesus immediately begin to speak about His suffering and death afterward? [41:06]
3. How does the concept of taking up one's cross challenge common perceptions of discipleship and following Jesus?
4. What lessons can we learn from Martin Niemöller's story about standing against evil, even when it comes at a great personal cost? [47:38]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent time when your words may have hurt someone. How can you use your words more wisely to bring life and encouragement to others? [17:18]
2. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him. What are some specific ways you can practice self-denial in your daily life for the sake of the Gospel? [38:35]
3. Think of a situation where you faced a moral dilemma. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Martin Niemöller's example of standing against evil? [47:38]
4. In what areas of your life do you struggle with living with integrity? How can you strive to reflect the love and truth of Jesus in those areas? [52:46]
5. How do you understand the purpose of suffering in your life? Can you identify a time when your suffering led to a greater purpose or brought glory to God? [54:21]
6. Identify a specific temptation or challenge you are currently facing. How can you apply the teachings from this sermon to overcome it and stay committed to Christ?
7. How can you support and encourage fellow Christians who are facing persecution or difficult choices because of their faith? What practical steps can you take to stand with them?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Words
Our words hold immense power, as highlighted in the letter of James. They can build up or tear down, bring life or cause harm. James reminds us that the tongue, though small, can set the course of our lives and the lives of others. It is crucial to use our words wisely, avoiding gossip, slander, and harmful speech. Instead, let our words be like cool water to a parched spirit, bringing life, encouragement, and healing to those around us. Reflect on how you use your words daily and strive to speak in ways that honor God and uplift others. [17:18]
James 3:5-6 (ESV): "So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell."
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words may have hurt someone. How can you seek reconciliation and use your words to bring healing today?
Day 2: True Discipleship
True discipleship involves taking up our cross and following Jesus, which means embracing self-denial and suffering for the sake of the Gospel. This path is not easy, but it leads to true life and fulfillment in God's kingdom. Jesus' call to take up our cross challenges us to let go of our own desires and ambitions and to follow Him wholeheartedly, even when it involves sacrifice and hardship. Reflect on what it means to take up your cross in your daily life and how you can live out this call with faith and perseverance. [38:35]
Mark 8:34-35 (ESV): "And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 3: Standing Against Evil
The story of Martin Niemöller teaches us the importance of standing against evil, even at great personal cost. Following Jesus means doing the right thing, not because it is easy or beneficial, but because it is the right thing to do. Niemöller's courage in standing against Hitler and the Nazi regime, despite the severe consequences, serves as a powerful example of faith and integrity. Reflect on the evils and injustices you encounter in your own life and how you can stand against them with courage and conviction, trusting in God's strength and guidance. [47:38]
Ephesians 6:12-13 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."
Reflection: Identify a specific injustice or evil in your community or workplace. How can you take a stand against it this week, even if it comes at a personal cost?
Day 4: Living with Integrity
In our daily lives, we will face temptations and challenges that test our commitment to Christ. We must remember that our decisions matter and strive to live with integrity, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus in all we do. Living with integrity means being honest, trustworthy, and consistent in our actions and words, even when no one is watching. It involves making choices that align with our faith and values, regardless of the consequences. Reflect on the areas of your life where you are tempted to compromise your integrity and seek God's help to remain steadfast and true. [52:46]
Proverbs 11:3 (ESV): "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you were tempted to compromise your integrity. How can you choose to act with honesty and faithfulness in similar situations in the future?
Day 5: The Purpose of Suffering
Self-denial and cross-bearing are not ends in themselves but are means to a greater purpose—saving lives and bringing glory to God. In the midst of suffering, we can find strength and hope in knowing that we are fulfilling God's will and advancing His kingdom. Suffering for the sake of the Gospel is a way to participate in Christ's own suffering and to witness to His love and truth. Reflect on the purpose of the suffering you may be experiencing and how it can be used to bring glory to God and to further His kingdom. [54:21]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How can you find purpose and hope in your current struggles, knowing that they are part of God's greater plan for your life and His kingdom?
Quotes
1. "Well, friends, we all make mistakes, sometimes many of them. We hurt ourselves, we hurt others, we hurt God with our words and deeds and sometimes also with our silence in action. So let us confess to God our sins, trusting in the one who blesses us with mercy as we say together our unison." [16:14] (20 seconds)
2. "We confess, O God, that we are so often a people who want Easter without Good Friday. An empty tomb without the cross. The fellowship of the family without the discipline of discipleship. Help us, God, to overcome our greed and our fear and walk the path that Jesus shows us." [23:08] (21 seconds)
3. "Help us to serve you without counting the cost and so bring your power and glory to light in our lives and in our communities. Caring God for all of our siblings and all the diverse needs, we also pray this day. We pray with thankfulness for those prayers you have already answered and with hearts of hope for those things yet to be." [24:03] (27 seconds)
4. "For the past couple of weeks or more in my sermons, we've had a sort of recurring theme about not just being the church, but doing church, doing the things that turn our faith into action. And so over the next few weeks, we're going to hear from some of the teams of the church as they speak to what they do, how they take both our financial contributions and our time and our talent, and put those to work in the many missions and ministries that we are about." [25:41] (60 seconds)
5. "Jesus asked, who do people say I am? And the disciples answered, John the Baptist or Elijah, one of the prophets. Good answers, complimentary to Jesus, but they didn't go far enough. If Jesus were only John the Baptist or Elijah, one of the prophets, he would just be one great man among many, hardly one of a kind, hardly the son of God, hardly the one to split history in half." [38:35] (28 seconds)
6. "The thing about following Jesus is that you don't do the right thing because it works, you do it because it's the right thing. Jesus put it this way, whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake and for the sake of the good news will save it." [49:19] (32 seconds)
7. "When faced with those temptations, remember the word of the priest who said the thing about following Jesus is that you don't do the right thing because it works, we do it because it's the right thing. Remember the words of Jesus, whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me because that's the purpose right to save lives ours and others the self-denial and cross-bearing do not have suffering as their purpose but life." [52:46] (42 seconds)
8. "May God deny you peace and give you glory and there's a part of me that wants God to give you a peaceful life a trouble-free life a life where everything always goes right but there's another part of me that knows that life is never so neatly packaged but in the midst of the hardest parts we can still do the right thing and so today I pray that God might deny you peace and instead give you glory." [54:21] (44 seconds)
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