Sunday Morning Worship
January 8, 2012
Series: “The Biggest Loser”
Today: “The Loser’s Plan”

Scripture:  Mark 8:31-38 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. ³² He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³ But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” ³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? ³⁷ Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? ³⁸ If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” 

Intro:  The    cross       was the icon to spiritual warfare—sweat and tears that are part of living for Christ in a wicked world.

I.    THE      PLAN        EXPLAINS WEIGHT GAIN.

A.  The Bible explains why we put things in our lives that produce      destruction      .

1.   God doesn’t cause our      sin        problems.

2.   Our own      flesh        craves sinful behavior.

3.   If we don’t      control        the cravings, they take over and run your life.

4.   If unchecked, they soon will       ruin        your life.

B.  What      cravings        have you allowed to go unchecked in your life?

II.   THE PLAN DEMANDS      DESIRE      .

A.  Jesus never left room for       half-hearted       , “take it or leave it” attitudes.

B.  The critical question: How deeply do you desire the __kingdom__ of God?

III.  THE PLAN’S        DEMANDS       .

A.  Daily spiritual       exercise       .

B.  Prayerfully and carefully watch your        intake        .

Conclusion:  Are you going to sign up for God’s biggest loser plan?

1.   It will challenge your        cravings         .

2.   It will take your deep        desire        .

3.   It has real         demands        .

* But, if you will lose your life for Jesus and the Gospel, you will find life at its fullest!