Soul Shift --1

The scripture lesson is Mark 8:27-38 in which Jesus and his disciples are on a journey.  Upon Peter's testimony that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus begins to explain to His followers that he must die and be raised from  the dead.  Peter pulls Jesus aside and chastises Him for His declaration of death.  Jesus turns back to face the other disciples, putting Peter at His back, and says, "Get behind me Satan."  The key verse is Mark 8:34, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

What is a disciple, a true follower of Jesus Christ? 

      We may know who we want to be, yet not be clear on who we are meant to be.

Discipleship is not running from who we don't want to be, but rather it is running toward someone we love. 

Soul:  The life principle where our truest nature lies.

Don't sell yourself short; less than Christ-likeness is not acceptable.

Stop expecting less, and start expecting more!

 The cost of discipleship is great, more than any of us can imagine, (vv 34, 35)

"To be minded like God is not just the think like Him, it is to be wired like Him, to have our nature changed to be just like Christ."

True discipleshiip is rewiring of our nature, a shift in our soul.

We will stop doing things our way and do things as Christ would do them.

We will react like Christ not because we think about how to react, but rather because Christ's nature is natural for us!

     1.  Learn to value the interests of others above and before the self.

     2.  Discover new identity in Christ.

     3.  Will begin to see the eternal realities.

     4.  Understand the role of the disciple.

     5,  Will stop seeking to be heard and learn to hear.

     6,  Take ownership and responsibility for others on the journey.

     7.  Will appreciate the power of the journey as we follow Christ.

"Take up your cross and follow me."

  

Stop running from the person you hate and run toward the Person you love 

     

Pastor Johnnie Blair

Sunday morning