Going For Gold!

Going For Gold!

Mark 8:34-38 (NIV)“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it…

…What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their

soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?...

Going For Gold!

…If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and

sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he

comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Going For Gold!

What words would you never associate with Gold Medal winners?

• CASUAL - The word "casual" means occasional, without regularity. The opposite to Casual is Committed.

• CONVENIENCE – Easy to obtain or reach. Something that is easily discarded.

• COMFORT – A state of ease and satisfaction of bodily wants. Freedom from pain and anxiety.

• COST FREE - I’ll be glad to participate as long as it doesn’t cost me anything.

Going For Gold!

• Gold Medal Winners are discipled by someone who has already experienced the journey.

• Interesting to note that 269 times we are referred to as ‘Disciples’ in the New Testament and only 3 times as ‘Christians’.

• It was approximately 15 years after the day of Pentecost that the term “Christian” was used (Acts 11:26 at Antioch) and even then it was used in a derogatory way.

Going For Gold!

What is involved in ‘Going for Gold’?

• 1. Gold Medal Winners experience LEARNING.

• 2. Gold Medal Winners experience LEAVING.

• 3. Gold Medal Winners experience LOSING.

• 4. Gold Medal Winners experience LEADING.

• 5. Gold Medal Winners experience LOVING.

Going For Gold!

1. Gold Medal Winners experience LEARNING.

Going For Gold!

Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)“Come to me, all you who are weary

and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find

rest for your souls.

Going For Gold!

• The word "disciple" itself means "learner“ or "pupil".

• How much do we know about Christ? How knowledgeable are we about the Bible?

• How can we possibly call ourselves disciples if we do not know his teachings and follow them?

Going For Gold!

2. Gold Medal Winners experience LEAVING.

Going For Gold!

Mark 8:34 (NIV)“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves

and take up their cross and follow me.”

Going For Gold!

During the ministry of Christ, there was a large crowd that travelled with him where ever he went. Many were just along for the ride. They listened to

Christ, they watched him, they talked about him, but they were not disciples.

He wanted to make it clear to them what discipleship involves!

(spectator or participator?)

Going For Gold!

• Christ says if we are to follow him, if we are to be his disciples, we must deny ourselves.

• The instructions of Christ do not sit well with the ideology of our day!

• Our society knows little about self-denial! It shows in our debts, if we see it and want it, we get it! If we don’t have the money, we charge it! If we can’t afford it, we get it anyway!

Going For Gold!

3. Gold Medal Winners experience LOSING.

Going For Gold!

• Mark 8:34 (NIV) …take up their cross and follow me.”

• The key to understanding this is V35"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s the same shall save it.“

• We must allow Christ first place, we must put others above ourselves! We must give up our lives, and die to self!

Going For Gold!

General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was asked the secret of his amazing Christian life. Booth answered, ‘I told the Lord that

He could have all that there is of William Booth"

Going For Gold!

4. Gold Medal Winners experience LEADING.

Going For Gold!

• Matthew 4:19 “And he said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

• Being a disciple involves leading others or bringing others to Christ.

• Notice the words of Christ to those original disciples “I will make you fishers of men.”

• Discipleship involves not only leading others to Christ, but involves leading by being a servant!

• Matthew 23:11 “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Going For Gold!

5. Gold Medal Winners experience LOVING.

Going For Gold!

• John 13:35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.

• Christ sets the standard by which we shall be identified, by our love towards each other!

• Gold Medal Winners are team players!

Going For Gold!

1. Gold Medal Winners experience LEARNING.

2. Gold Medal Winners experience LEAVING.

3. Gold Medal Winners experience LOSING.

4. Gold Medal Winners experience LEADING.

5. Gold Medal Winners experience LOVING.

Going For Gold!