Chuck Smith emphasizes the call of Jesus in Mark 8:34, urging believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. He challenges the audience to reflect on their ambitions and the true value of their souls, highlighting that worldly gains are meaningless compared to eternal life. Smith explains that true fulfillment comes from submitting to God's will and losing one's life for Christ's sake, which ultimately leads to finding true identity. He encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, even in a world that may ridicule them for their beliefs.

Intro: Jesus has given the requirements for any man who wants to come after Him. They may seem severe, so He gives a rational. I. DENY HIMSELF. A. How opposite this is to our human nature Get for yourself. 1. (God helps those.... 2. Be aggressive, assert yourself. B. "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul." 1 What are your highest ambitions? 2. What goal are you striving to achieve? 3. What security are you seeking to attain? 4. What possessions are you seeking to acquire? C. "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" 1. How much are you worth? a. Chemically, a couple dollars. b. You could probably sell your eyes for $10,000 a piece. c. Sell one of your kidneys for $15,000. d. Pint of blood for $5.00. e. Courts are, often asked to establish worth in wrongful death suits. 1. Man seeks to establish the value of life. 2. People establish different values. a. Read of a wealthy man in France who offered doctors 1. ,000,000 for one year extension. b. Someone else deliberately takes his own life. 3. How much is eternal life worth? a. "What shall a man give in exchange..." b. What have men given? 1. A few moments pleasure. 2. A bottle of booze. 3. Another fix. 4. A couple movies created with this plot. 5. What would you demand? c. What God has given "He gave His only..." d. What Jesus gave. He gave His life to save your soul. II. "TAKE UP HIS CROSS" (FULL SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD). A. Whosoever shall save his life shall lose it. 1. How many times I think I know a better way. a. If you had the capacity to order your life, how would you order it. 1. Money, good looks, no pain, no work no suffering. 2. You would turn out to be the laziest, spoiled, conceited, most intolerant snob, no one could stand to be around you. 2. I can never win taking my life out of God's hand. B. "Whosoever shall lose his life for My sake..." 1. Most of those that came after Him did, literally lose their lives for His sake. 2. Lose your life totally in God, you find yourself for the first time. III. FOLLOW ME. A. "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation." 1. Stand up with Christ, stand up for Christ. a. I'll be called a fool. b. They'll make fun of me. 1. Man still lashes out at Jesus, why? B. Of Him also shall the Son of Man... 1. Stand up for Jesus, you'll want Him to stand up for you.