2-28-21 Sermon Notes “Out of Order”

According to Merriam Webster, there are three definitions commonly used for being “out of order.”

1. Not working properly: not able to be used. (as in “The elevator’s out of order.)
2. Not following the formal rules of a meeting, court session, etc… (as in “The judge ruled the lawyer out of order.”)
3. Beyond what is reasonable or allowable: not right or appropriate. (as in “Your behavior was completely out of order!”)

Any way you look at it, when something is “out of order,” then there is something wrong with the picture. A re-ordering is called for. Things need to be set straight. That’s what I think of when I read our gospel passage for Sunday.
31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8: 31-38 NRSV)
In a court of law, the judge gets to decide what is out of order. In terms of our Christian discipleship, it is Christ, and Christ alone, who gets to decide what is out of order. Our decision is to follow…or not to follow.
Follow me to worship this Sunday!
Pastor Sam