2. The Life of Jesus
March 12: Jesus’ birth
March 19 & 26: People mattered to Jesus
Today: Jesus’ call to put Him first
April 9: Jesus’ death
April 16: Jesus’ resurrection

3. We believe it is right and good to have high expectations for our relationships.
So why would Jesus be any different?

4. Then Jesus 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.”
Mark 8:34
p , The Story

5. Deny yourself
YOU
spouse
friend
neighbor
co-worker
Christian

6. Deny yourself
Relationships and organizations flourish when people practice self-denial toward EACH OTHER
and
toward THE MISSION.
MISSION/GOAL
YOU
spouse
friend
neighbor
co-worker
Christian

7. Deny yourself
MISSION/GOAL
YOU
JESUS

8. 34 Then Jesus 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.”
Mark 8:34
p , The Story

9. 34 Then Jesus 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.”
Mark 8:34
p , The Story

10. 17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before Him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good – except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
Mark 10:17-22
p , The Story

11. 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” He said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Mark 10:17-22
p , The Story

12. 11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.
12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns.
13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 
14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.
Revelation 19:11-14, 16