Not For Ourselves: The Cruciform Life

03.08.2026 | In this week’s sermon by David Lee, we explore the profound call to live a missional, cruciform life—a life not lived for our own gain, but for the good of others and the glory of God. Drawing from Mark 8, this message examines the challenging identity of Jesus as the suffering Messiah and what that identity requires of his followers today. We discuss the necessity of denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and moving beyond worldly standards of success to embrace the sacrificial love found in the Gospel. Key Points: Defining what it means to be a "missional community" in the context of Brooklyn. The radical, counter-cultural nature of Jesus’ path through suffering and rejection. Understanding the "J curve" of the Christian life: the pattern of dying to self in order to experience true resurrection life. The difference between seeking personal comfort versus living for the sake of others. Questions Answered: Who is Jesus, and why does his identity change everything? How does the Messiah save the world through suffering and death? Why is self-denial necessary for those who follow Christ? What does it look like to live a life shaped by the cross?