The Cost: Deny Yourself (Mark 8:31-38)

We live in a culture of gratification. "You do you." "Do what makes you happy." "Live your best life." There's a reason that these phrases are common, they're the water that we swim in. Life is ultimately about who? YOU! 

The problem is that the gospel of self-fulfillment leaves so many of us overwhelmed, anxiety-ridden and selfish. What's worse is that many of us who claim that we follow Jesus unknowingly try to blend our culture with the message of Jesus. We end up pursuing our own desires and asking Jesus to come along for the ride. 

But for the disciple of Jesus, there is no following, without self-denying.  If we persist in acquiring and amassing more of life just as we did before we met Jesus,  and we don't give up anything,  we haven't really followed Jesus. We're making Jesus follow us. 

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