September 14, 2025
Certainty about Christ #
Mark 8:27-38
Introduction
Last week we looked at two miracles, the miracle where the blind man was made to see, however he saw men walking as trees. We equated that to the fact that now, we don’t have perfect understanding. The second miracle was the second touch, and he was made to see clearly! Much like in heaven we will see clearly.
The entirety of the passage seems to be dealing with uncertainties. The disciples were rebuked for not understanding the miracles that Jesus had done, feeding the 4000 and the 5000. Now, while traveling with the disciples, Jesus takes further time to instruct them clearly on who he is, and what his mission is. There are many things we may not understand in this life time… but we can be absolutely certain of who Jesus is! You don’t have to wonder that!
I. Private Education (27-33) #
A. Confusion about Christ (27-28) #
i. Those who didn’t talk about Christ #
• Without a doubt there where those tho didn’t talk about Christ…
• He was absent from their lives, absent from their speech.
ii. Religious response #
• John the Baptist (did no miracles John 10:41, baptized Jesus, started a new religious group/following)
John 10:41 - “41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.”
◦ John pointed people to Christ… contemporaries… he couldn’t have been John!
• Elias - great OT prophet, many miracles
◦ While Elisha did double the amount of miracles that Elijah did, Elijah is the most prominent prophets of the OT, mentioned 30 times!
▪ Moses was a great leader, and is mentioned more, because of leadership.
• One of the prophets – Many OT, God ordained prophets in the Bible…
• Many people recognize Jesus as a religious leader.
B. Clarity about Christ (29-31) #
• Jesus is not as concerned with his public image, than what his disciples say about him.
i. Profession of Peter #
• Christ literally means anointed. OT, anointing was used as a sign by God.
• Don’t tell anyone, because the time was not right!
ii. Purpose of Jesus (31) - #
C. Conflict of ideas (32-33) #
i. Protest of Peter – Peter, being a jew, expected this to be a physical/political jewish salvation #
ii. Power struggle of ideas – we see that going on today! #
II. Public Education (34-38) #
- This passage is not dealing with how to be saved, but rather those who struggle following Christ!
Ephesians 2:8–9 - “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Titus 3:5 - “5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
• Salvation is never granted because of Good Works in the Bible!
• In our Christian life… there will be sacrifice!
A. Cross of sacrifice (34-35) #
i. Whosoever – all are welcome… few will actually follow Jesus! #
ii. Deny himself #
◦ Your heart, your flesh, will constantly pull you in the wrong direction.
◦ You must have a little self discipline, and ask God to help you deny yourself.
iii. Take up his cross #
• Be willing to suffer for Jesus!
iv. Follow… stop taking charge, and leading, and learn to follow the LORD! #
v. Lose your life for the LORD, and take up His IDENTITY! (35) #
B. Concern in life (36-37) #
• We become so concerned with materialistic things of this world… they won’t last!
i. Billionaires in the world… their wealth is tracked…not one penny is going to eternity #
C. Consideration of eternity (38) #
• We concern ourself with… “What will they think?”
• Pastor Don Green “I divorced myself from public opinion a long time ago.”
• Start thinking… “What will Jesus think of me?”
III. Personal Evaluation #
A. Concerning the Christ? Who is He to you? #
i. Who is Jesus to you? #
ii. Is He your Personal Saviour? #
Romans 3:23 - “23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 6:23 - “23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 10:9–10 - “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:13 - “13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
B. Concerning the Christian life? - are you living for self, or for the Saviour #
i. Have you denied yourself?? #
• Getting up early to read your Bible is a good exercise of self denial – of sleep
• Coming to church is a good exercise in self denial – carving time out of YOUR schedule for God!
• Fasting and prayer is a great exercise in self denial.