THE COST OF SERVICE PART 6 OF 12

TEXT- MARK 8:34-38

INTRODUCTION

Today is theme day at grace church when we take time to emphasize our 1994 goals and theme.

The theme of our church this year is, "The Serving Church" and our theme verse is Mark 10:45 which says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

There is no greater example of service than Jesus Christ who gave his life on the cross of Calvary for our sins and salvation.

In the same way that Jesus was willing to die so that we could have spiritual freedom, many men and women have willingly given their life so that we could have the physical freedom we enjoy in our nation today.

Shortly after world War II Winston Churchill was honoring the members of the Royal Air Force. In recounting their brave service, he declared, "Never in the history of mankind have so many owed so much to so few." A similar statement appears on a memorial plaque in Belgium where one of the bloodiest battles of World War II was fought at the Battle of the Bulge. The inscription, in honor of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division, reads, "Seldom has so much American blood been shed in the course of a single action. Oh, Lord, help us to remember!"

These are fitting tributes to courageous men and women who sacrificed so much. But there is one whose sacrifice resulted in even greater benefits for mankind. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the entire world. Of him it can be said, "Never in the history of mankind have so many owed so much to one man."

This morning our text is found in Mark 8:34-38 and the title of my message is, "The Cost of Service."

As we consider this passage today I would like us to focus on four things that Jesus mentions in verse 34 that are involved in the cost of service.