We've built our lives around the avoidance of suffering.

When Jesus told the disciples that he would face betrayal and death, they were incredulous. But Jesus pointed out to them, "you're thinking of human things instead of divine things." Jesus said if people wanted to follow him, they would have to voluntarily suffer for the benefit of the world.

We know that suffering can bring great things. We can see Jesus' example of suffering for the sake of justice and restoration in the world. So what do we do with that knowledge? We seek to model Jesus' willingness to suffer and give himself away.

A practical application of suffering is fasting; we understand the purpose and the results, and we know it is an act of giving part of ourselves up. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that can teach us to sacrifice comfort and time temporarily with long term results bringing personal growth and insight.

So knowing that...what kind of Jesus followers do we want to be? Do we want to be those who avoid temporary suffering, or do we want to be those who give ourselves away?

ReNew Community Worship Service

Speaker: Aaron Vis

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

http://bible.com/events/48856169