Before My Will

Jesus says a person must forget (or deny) self, carry his cross and lose his life. Now the cross was an instrument of death. Jesus tells me that if I am to follow him, I must go through a kind of death experience. I must die to the right to run my own life (which is sin). I am to surrender to the God-given right of Jesus to be my king.

Use the The House Illustration to explain what this means.

Before My Ambitions

(Mark 8:36-37)

People everywhere are trying to "gain the whole world." To a small or large degree, their aim is to accumulate power, money, popularity, pleasure, prestige, business success, or just keep ahead of the neighbours.

Now these things may not be wrong in themselves, but they are sin if they are things we live for above everything else. When Jesus is Number One, these things fall into their right perspective. You could quote Jesus' words: Seek first God's Kingdom, then all these things will be yours as well. (Matt. 6:33)

Before My Popularity

(Mark 8:38)

It is not popular to follow Jesus sincerely today. Friends or family members may regard me as strange—some may not want to associate with me anymore. But if I'm ashamed of Jesus in this life, then he will reject me on Judgment Day! I must follow Jesus openly. He is not interested in secret disciples.

The most obvious way to start doing this is to belong to a church. People who avoid church may claim that it is boring, but often they are just ashamed to be associated openly with Christ and his people.

Emphasise that members of the group may have a spouse, relative or friend who disapproves of their faith. But you must put Jesus first (politely) even if it means ridicule. (Again we are not suggesting a person should leave his/her spouse!)

Before Anyone or Anything Else

(Mark 9:43-48)

Jesus does not literally mean that I am to cut off bodily parts. He means that if anything or anyone is stopping me from entering God's Kingdom, then radical surgery may be necessary. Point out that pride is often the cause of this.

• Am I too proud to accept salvation as a gift?
• Am I too proud to submit to Jesus as king?