Category: Cross

Ingredients of Effective Kingdom Ministry

7/7/2019

Adding even one ingredient can make a huge different for food.
For example, add zucchini to get moist brownies. Add fresh apples for sweet coleslaw. Add avocado for rich pudding. If you add each of the ingredients from God’s way instead of the world’s way (Luke 9), you have the recipe for effective kingdom ministry.

Listen to Jesus as He describes eight ingredients of kingdom ministry
in Luke 9:

1. Trust God’s power and authority
Jesus sent the twelve to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing with power and authority over demons and diseases. He told them to take nothing, find housing, and leave if not received as a testimony against them. They went among the villages preaching the gospel and healing everywhere (Luke 9:1-6). Trust God’s power and authority to proclaim His kingdom and perform healing.

2. Surrender available resources
Jesus told the twelve to feed the multitude with five loaves and two fish for 5,000 men. Jesus instructed them to recline in groups of 50 each. He blessed, broke, and gave the disciples bread to set before the multitude. They had 12 baskets left over (Luke 9:7-17). Surrender available resources and trust God to provide what’s lacking.

3. Deny self and take up cross
While praying alone, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?" Peter said, "The Christ of God." He said the Son of Man must suffer many things, be rejected by religious authorities, killed and raised up on the third day. Jesus said to deny self, take up cross daily, and follow Him. He who saves his life loses it, but whoever loses his life for Christ will save it. It’s unprofitable to gain the world and lose your soul (Luke 9:18-27).
Deny self, take up cross, and follow Him to save my life.

4. Listen to God
He took Peter, John and James to pray with Him on the mountain. The three saw His glory with Moses and Elijah standing with Him. A voice said, "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!" (Luke 9:28-36).
Listen to God as most important priority.

5. Marvel at God’s greatness
The disciples couldn’t cast out a demon. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy. They were amazed at the greatness of God. Despite receiving great praise for His works, Jesus said the Son of Man would be betrayed by men (Luke 9:37-45). Marvel at God’s greatness, even when betrayed by men.

6. Serve the least
After the disciples argued who would be the greatest,Jesus said they must receive Him like a child since the least is the greatest (Luke 9:46-48). Serve the least and disenfranchised.

7. Partner with other believers
Don't hinder anyone casting out demons in Christ's name since he who’s not against you is for you. When the Samaritans didn’t receive Him, Christ said the "Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:49-56). Partner with others in the body of Christ for healing.

8. Follow God completely
He told His followers the Son of Man had no home. Let the dead bury their own dead, but proclaim fully and everywhere the kingdom of God. Saying good-bye to your family and not putting your hand to the plow proves unfitness for kingdom of God (Luke 9:57-62). Follow God completely and separate from any hindrances.

Action Steps: Which of the eight ingredients of kingdom ministry will you put into practice this coming week?

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How to Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Praise (Insights in NT)

6/12/2013

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A person receives power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise by praying for empowerment by the Holy Spirit knowing Jesus sits on the throne in heaven; worship a holy God and crucified Savior continually by giving Him glory, honor and power; and connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word to purchase men everywhere who serve His kingdom and reign on earth.

Pray for Empowerment By the Holy Spirit
A door in heaven was standing open before John to show him future events. Someone sat on a throne in heaven with the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow like an emerald encircled the throne and 24 other thrones surrounded it. There were 24 elders dressed in white and gold crowns seated on them. Lightning and thunder came from the throne. Before it were seven spirits and what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal (Rev. 4:1-6a). Pray for empowerment by the Holy Spirit knowing Jesus sits on the throne in heaven.

Worship a Holy God Continually
In the center around the throne were four living creatures covered with eyes and six wings each like a lion, ox, face like a man and flying eagle. Day and night they never stopped saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." When the living creatures gave glory, honor and thanks to Him sitting on the throne who lived forever, the 24 elders fell down. They worshiped Him and cast their crowns before the throne saying, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being (Rev. 4:6b-11). Worship a holy God continually by giving Him glory, honor and power.

When you know that Jesus sits on the throne in heaven, you can give Him glory, honor and power.

Connect with Christ's Death Through His Word
John saw a scroll written on both sides sealed with seven seals in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. No one was worthy to open the scroll and look inside except the the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who triumphed. He saw a slain Lamb standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders with seven spirits of God. After He took the scroll, the creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb holding a harp and golden bowls of incense or prayers of the saints. They sang that He was worthy to open the scroll because He was slain and purchased with His blood men for God from every tribe, language, people and nation to be made a kingdom and priests to serve Him and reign on the earth (Rev. 5:1-10). Connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word to purchase men everywhere who serve His kingdom and reign on earth.

Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Praise
John heard the voice of countless angels that encircled the throne, living creatures and elders. They sang that the worthy Lamb was slain to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise. Every creature sang to Him who sat on the throne and gave praise, honor, glory and power to the Lamb. The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped (Rev. 5:11-14). Receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise from the crucified Savior through worship.

Connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word and Spirit-empowered prayer to purchase people who serve Him, which reaps power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise from the Crucified Savior.

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Know Jesus' Death Causes Creation to be Subject to You (Insights in NT)

3/31/2013

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"We must know the power of the Blood if we are to know the power of God. Our knowing experimentally the power of the Word, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the power of prayer is dependant upon our knowing the power of the Blood of Christ" (R. A. Torrey)

What enables Jesus' death on the cross to cause all of creation to be subject to you? Jesus is heir of all things, Creator, radiance of God's glory, sustainer, purifier of sin, sits on God's righteous throne, signs and miracles, defeated Satan's power of death, apostle, high priest and builder of God's house.

Look to the Son as Heir of All Things
God spoke to forefathers through the prophets but in the last days He spoke by His Son. God appointed Him heir of all things and through the Son made the universe. The Son was the radiance of God's glory, exact representation of His being and sustained all things by His powerful word. After providing purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (Heb. 1:1-3). Look to the Son as heir of all things, Creator, radiance of God's glory, sustainer and purifier of sin.

Consider Jesus Who Sits on God's Righteous Throne
Superior to angels, God said Jesus was His Son and God His Father. When God brought His first-born into the world, He said angels should worship the Son and made them His servants flames of fire. Concerning the Son, God's throne lasted forever and righteousness as the scepter of His kingdom. He loved righteousness and hated wickedness and anointed the Son with the oil of joy. God laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens was His work. He remained the same forever but creation perished and wore out like a robe. God said the Son sat at His right hand until He made His enemies a footstool for His feet. Angels were ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherited salvation (Heb. 1:4-14). Consider Jesus who sits on God's righteous throne to defeat His enemies using angels to serve believers.

Do Not Drift Away From the Great Salvation
Paying attention to what they heard prevented drifting away from the binding message spoken by angels. If disobedience received punishment, no one escaped by ignoring a great salvation announced by the Lord and confirmed by those who heard Him. God testified to it by signs, wonders, various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will (Heb. 2:1-4). Do not drift away from the great salvation announced by Jesus and confirmed by signs, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Know Jesus' Death Causes Creation to Be Subject to You
The Psalmist testified that God remembered and cared for man by making him a little lower than the angels. He crowned man with glory and honor so everything was subject to him. Because this had not occurred yet, God allowed Jesus to suffer and taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons to glory, God the Creator made the author of salvation perfect through suffering. Both men made holy and Jesus were of the same family. Jesus unashamedly called them brothers and children of God by singing and praising His name to them (Heb. 2:5-13). Know that Jesus' death causes all creation to be subject to you.

Trust Jesus' Death for Freedom From Fear and Satan's Power
Jesus shared in humanity by His death that destroyed Satan who held the power of death and freed those enslaved to the fear of death. Because Jesus helped Abraham's descendants, He was made like His brothers in every way as a merciful and faithful high priest to make atonement for sin. Jesus suffered during temptation so He was able to help those who were tempted (Heb. 2:14-18). Trust Jesus' death on the cross for freedom from fear and Satan's power.

Think About Jesus as Your Apostle and High Priest
Those who shared in the heavenly calling fixed their thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest. As the builder of God's house, He was worthy of greater honor than Moses. God was the builder of everything, but Moses was faithful as a servant in His house. Christ was faithful as a son over God's house consisting of believers who boasted in courage and hope (Heb. 3:1-6). Think about Jesus as your apostle and high priest as you boast in courage and hope.

Believe Confidently in a Living God
The Holy Spirit told those who heard His voice not to harden their hearts like Israel's 40 years of testing in the desert. Their hearts went astray so they did not enter God's rest. Instead of a sinful, unbelieving heart that turned away from the living God, encourage one another daily so no one would be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Those who stayed confident and did not harden their heart shared in Christ. Moses led Israel out of Egypt and their sin and disobedience because of unbelief prevented them from entering into God's rest (Heb. 3:7-19). Believe confidently in a living God to enter God's rest.

Which of the following items encourage you the most that cause creation to be subject to you through Jesus' death on the cross:
1. Jesus is heir of all things
2. Jesus as Creator
3. Jesus as radiance of God's glory
4. Jesus as sustainer
5. Jesus as purifier of sin
6. Jesus sits on God's righteous throne
7. Jesus showing signs and miracles
8. Jesus defeated Satan's power of death
9. Jesus as apostle
10. Jesus as high priest
11. Jesus as builder of God's house

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Illustration of Radical Obedience to Christ (Insights in NT)

6/4/2012

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“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.” (David Platt). Paul illustrates radical obedience to Christ in Acts 21-22.

After landing by ship in Tyre, Paul stayed seven days with the disciples. He prayed with them, said goodbye and boarded the ship. In Caesarea, a prophet named Agabus predicted that the Jews would bound Paul and deliver him to the Gentiles. Paul said he was ready to die in Jerusalem for the name of Christ. His friends said, "The will of the Lord be done!" (Acts 21:1-14). Deny yourself and take up your cross in spite of the consequences.

Paul related to James and the elders what God did among the Gentiles through his ministry. They said that the Jews coming to know Christ were told by Paul to forsake Moses and not circumcise their children. After Paul purified himself with four men as instructed by James and the elders, he went into the temple notifying them that his purification was complete until the sacrifice was offered (Acts 21:15-26). Become all things to all men so you can win them to Christ.

The Jews from Asia stirred up the multitude and beat Paul until the commander and soldiers came. He told the commander that he was a Jew of Tarsus and asked if he could speak to the people (Acts 21:27-40). Persevere under persecution for the sake of Christ.

Paul addressed the Jews in the Hebrew dialect and said he was brought up in Jerusalem educated under Gamaliel. put people to death and into prison. As he approached Damascus, a bright light flashed from heaven and a voice said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are persecuting Me?" He learned it was Jesus the Nazarene. Paul received his sight with Ananias present. He said Paul was appointed to know His will and be a witness to all men of what He saw and heard. After being baptized and having his sins washed away, Paul returned to Jerusalem. The Lord told him to leave since they would not accept his testimony as he approved of Stephen's stoning. The Lord said he would send him far away to the Gentiles (Acts 22:1-21). Share your testimony boldly to those who need to hear the gospel message.

People wanted to kill Paul and the commander brought him into the barracks. As they stretched him with thongs, Paul asked a centurion if it was lawful to scourge a Roman who was uncondemned. The commander let him go after finding out he was a Roman. Wishing to know why had been accused by the Jews, he ordered the chief priest and Council to assemble before Paul (Acts 22:22-30). Stand up for your rights as a citizen to continue sharing the gospel.

Repent of your lukewarmness and ask God to give you radical obedience to Him in sharing the gospel with others.

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Resist Being Squeezed into the World's Mold (Insights in NT)

1/30/2012

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In John 18, you learned how to speak God's word openly as His disciple and fulfill your destiny by persevering in the midst of betrayal, endure persecution, resist temptation toward comfort, embrace your role as Christ's disciple, take up your cross and seek God's kingdom by bearing witness to the truth. John 19 teaches the core attitudes in being His disciple so you can identify with Christ without reservations and resist being squeezed into the world's mold.

Pilate scourged and soldiers put a crown of thorns on Jesus. After clothing Him in a purple robe, they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Pilate told the chief priests and officers to crucify Him themselves since he found no guilt in Jesus. The Jews said He should die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God. Jesus told Pilate that any authority over Him was given from above and those who delivered Him to Pilate had greater sin. When the Jews said Jesus opposed Caesar by saying He was a king, Pilate delivered Him to be crucified (John 19:1-16). Trust God's sovereignty during tough times.

He bore His cross and was crucified with two other men. Many Jews read an inscription put on the cross, "Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews" (John 19:17-22). Bear your cross and don't be concerned with others' opinions of you.

The soldiers took Jesus' outer garments, tunic and cast lots to fulfill Scripture. Mary, Jesus' mother, His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood by the cross of Jesus. He told John to take his mother, Mary, into his household (John 19:23-27). Stand on the promises of Scripture when circumstances get out of control.

When Jesus knew all things had been accomplished to fulfill Scripture, He said, "I am thirsty." When He was given sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" and gave up His spirit (John 19:28-30). Surrender your life to God by trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross.

The soldiers did not break Jesus' legs when they saw He was dead. Blood and water came out when a soldier pierced His side to fulfill Scripture. Jesus' witness was true so those could know the truth and believe (John 19:31-37). Boast in the cross of Christ so you can be dead to the world.

Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate's permission to take away Jesus' body. He and Nicodemus who came to Him at night, bound Jesus' body in linen wrappings with spices. They laid His body in a new tomb (John 19:38-42). Identify with Christ and be transformed into a bold witness of Him.

To resist being squeezed into the world's mold:
1. Trust God's sovereignty during tough times
2. Bear your cross and don't be concerned with other'swhile being crucified to the world
3. Stand on the promises of Scripture when circumstances get out of control
4. Surrender your life to God by trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross
5. Boast in the cross of Christ so you can be dead to the world
6. Identify with Christ and be transformed into a bold witness of Him

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Sacrifice Leads to Success (Insights in NT)

2/5/2011

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Our society rewards glitz and glamour. We live in an impatient society. Enron's "creative" accounting practices show that companies often look for short-term profits instead of long-term health and sustainability. Employees get promoted based on image and style instead of character and substance. Movie stars get publicity because of their looks and wild lifestyle, not because of serving humankind. Politicians say and do whatever it takes to get elected and often forget to deliver on their campaign promises. Pastors are tempted to tone down their messages so they don't offend major donors. Students cheat on exams so they can get good grades to enter prestigious universities. Jesus's way of the cross cuts against the grain of our human thinking. As athletes know, the sacrifice in training and preparation leads to ultimate success. Let's consider what we can learn by Christ's example.

After the religious leaders bound and led Jesus to Pilate , he asked Christ if He was King of the Jews. By not answering his question, chief priests accused Him of many things, which amazed Pilate that Jesus made no further answer (Mark 15:1-5). When others attack your character, don't defend yourself.

Chief priests stirred up multitude to ask for release of notorious criminal, Barabbas, instead of Jesus. When Pilate asked what evil He had done realizing their actions were motivated out of evil and what He should do with Christ, they shouted repeatedly, “Crucify Him!” Wishing to satisfy the public, Pilate released Barabbas and had Jesus scourged and delivered to be crucified (Mark 15:6-15). Politicians and even religious leaders often do focus groups to determine public opinion as a way to gain popularity instead of teaching people how to think for themselves.

The soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus, mocked Him as “King of the Jews,” beat Him with a reed and led Him away to be crucified (Mark 15:16-20). Those who think outside the box by questioning the establishment that take people out of their comfort zones are often silenced and even crucified out of envy.

They crucified Christ in the third hour with two robbers on each side of Him to fulfill Scripture, “And He was numbered with transgressors.” The soldiers divided up His garments among themselves and wrote inscription of the charge against Him, “The King of the Jews.” Those passing by hurled abuse saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” Chief priests, scribes and those crucified with Him mocked Christ saying, “He saved others? He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” (Mark 15:21-32). Serve and communicate with humility focusing on the ultimate goal instead of spectacular results, with the hope that people notice you.

In the ninth hour, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me?” Some thought He was calling for Elijah. When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. A centurion standing in front of Him said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Some women who used to follow and minister to Jesus looked at Him from a distance including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joses and Salome, and many other women (Mark 15:33-41). Unexpected people comprehend the truth when you go against the grain of the establishment.

A prominent member of the Council, Joseph of Arimathea, gathered up courage to ask Pilate for the body of Jesus. Joseph wrapped Jesus in a linen cloth, laid Him in a tomb hewn out of rock and rolled a stone against the entrance. The two Mary’s looked on to see where He was laid (Mark 15:42-47). Your example inspires others to risk their reputation to fulfill vital roles in making the world a better place.

Human and logical thinking oppose God's plan of the cross. We reason that being politically correct by not talking about Christ and His way of the cross will make people accept us so we can exert greater influence. It's just the reverse. Sacrifice and not easy solutions lead to success. Focusing on long-term strategies instead of short-term, superficial gains will make our cities better places to live, both individually and corporately. As you will see in Mark 16, the cross is the only way to ultimate victory.

Answer these questions:
1. When others attack your character, do you remain silent instead of defending yourself?
2. Do you help people think for themselves instead of being concerned about popularity?
3. Do you take people out of their comfort zones thinking of their long-term welfare?
4. Do you focus on the ultimate goal instead of spectacular results hoping people will notice you?
5. Are unexpected people comprehending and following your example?
Ask God to develop your character so you can answer, yes, to these questions.

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Why Jesus Came to Earth (Insights in NT)

1/18/2011

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Like in Jesus' day, people are confused why Jesus came to earth. A Muslim will shrug his shoulders if you ask him for a solution after doing something wrong. A Hindu will tell you maybe you can get it right in your next life. A psychiatrist will tell you, "You need some counseling, step in my office. Oh, that'll be $200 per hour once a week." Jesus Christ offers His disciples a relationship with God and forgiveness of sins, whereas in other religions people perform certain rituals and rites hoping to please God. Through Christ's dialogue with religious leaders and the crowd, He pointed out four "F's"--foundation, focus, force and foremost priority of life--that amazed both His opponents and those receptive to His message. These four "F's" explain why Jesus came to earth.

To illustrate His past circumstances, Jesus spoke a parable about a man planting a vineyard and sending slaves to vine-growers at harvest time to receive produce. The vine-growers beat the first slave and sent him away empty-handed. The second was wounded in the head and treated badly. The third slave was killed along with many others. Finally, the vineyard owner sent a beloved son expecting him to be respected. Jesus compared his killing to Himself, "The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief cornerstone" (Mark 12:1-12). How amazing to consider the cross or crucified Jesus as the foundation of life.

Hypocritical Pharisees and Herodians attempted to trap Jesus by asking if it's lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar. He answered, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:13-17). How amazing to consider your calling involves living in the world without being entangled.

Sadducees who believed in no resurrection questioned Jesus concerning which of his seven wives a husband would be married to in heaven. He answered that they "do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God" since people live forever like angels in heaven. He is God of the living when He told Moses that "I am God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Mark 12:18-27). How amazing to consider that Christ's resurrection power imparts eternal life beginning now in this life.

A scribe asked Jesus what is the foremost commandment. He answered that loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength along with loving your neighbor as yourself are the greatest commandments. Jesus commended the scribe for his understanding that these were "much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices" (Mark 12:28-34). How amazing to consider your most important priority is loving God and others.

Even though no one asked Him any more questions, Jesus asked how Christ could be the son of David when he calls Him Lord in Ps. 110: 1 (Mark 12:35-37). How amazing to consider the person of Christ as both God and man.

He warned them to reflect on the greater condemnation scribes received when they sought favor and honor from men, but devoured widows' houses and offered long prayers for appearance's sake (Mark 12:38-40). How amazing to consider that God values doing justice for the less fortunate more than religious observances.

Jesus pointed out that a "poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury" even though many rich people put in large sums. They put in their surplus while she "out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on" (Mark 12:41-44). How amazing to consider that God looks upon the heart, while man looks on appearances.

Let’s look at these seven paragraphs in a chiastic structure as follows from the first through the seventh paragraph: A; B; C; D; C’; B’; A’. We group together the content contained in A & A’; B & B’, etc. Here are my conclusions:

1. The foundation of your life is experiencing the sufferings of the cross through Christ's death (A & A’)
  2. The focus of your life is doing justice with the less fortunate while not entangled in religious observances (B & B’)
  3. The force of your life is Christ's resurrection power since He is both God and man (C & C’).
  4. The foremost priority of your life is loving God with all your heart, mind & soul and loving your neighbor as yourself (D).

The above four "F's" can be summarized by Phil. 3:10-12. Meditate on this passage and ask God to make the cross the foundation of your life (attitude), doing justice the focus of your life (action), Christ's resurrection power the force of your life (empowerment) and loving God and others the foremost priority of your life (passion).

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How to Embrace the Cross (Insights in NT)

1/1/2011

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One of George Barna's mega themes for 2010: The influence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible. He states that Christianity has arguably added more value to American culture than any other religion, philosophy, ideology or community. Although there were a few subgroups that were more likely than average to experience church-based accountability, there was not a single segment for which even one out of every five people said their church does anything to hold them accountable.

We observed in Mark 8, that to embrace the cross, you must deny yourself and follow Christ, lose your life for Christ's sake, prioritize peoples' souls over worldly gain and not be ashamed of Christ and the gospel. The next chapter in Mark 9 explains steps on how to embrace the cross as you become salt in influencing the culture.

Perspective: See Christ and Nothing Else
After Jesus took Peter, James and John up the mountain, He was transfigured before them. His garments became exceedingly white and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!" They saw no one except Jesus alone. He told them that "He should suffer many things and be treated with contempt" (Mark 9:1-13).

Faith: All Things Possible Through Prayer
The disciples were unable to cast out a spirit in a boy who was mute, which dashed him to the ground making him foam at the mouth, grind his teeth and become stiff. Jesus said all things are possible to him who believes. He rebuked the deaf and dumb spirit and commanded it to come out of the boy and not enter him again. Jesus told the disciples that this spirit "cannot come out by anything but prayer" (Mark 9:14-29)

Lifestyle: Be Servant of All, Especially to the Least
Jesus taught His disciples that He would be killed and rise three days later. The disciples kept silent instead of answering Him since they were discussing among themselves which was the greatest. Jesus said the pathway to being first was serving all. He illustrated servanthood by saying that "whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me" (Mark 9:30-37).

Commitment: Preserve Unity in Body of Christ
The disciples tried to hinder someone casting out demons in Christ's name because he wasn't following them. Jesus said that "he who is not against us is for us." Anyone who causes a little one to stumble should have a "heavy millstone hung around his neck and cast into the sea." Jesus' concern for unity in the body of Christ led Him to say that "if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire." Maintaining peace with one another preserves unity in the body of Christ so you can be salt in the culture (Mark 9:38-50).

Evaluate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being lowest and and 10 highest on the following items):
1. Perspective: Seeing Christ and Nothing Else
2. Faith: All Things Possible Through Prayer
3. Lifestyle: Be Servant of All, Especially to the Least
4. Commitment: Preserve Unity in Body of Christ
Use strength in your highest rated category to help build into your lowest rated one. In this new year, ask God through the power of the Holy Spirit to transform your perspective, faith, lifestyle and commitment in being salt in your world.

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Embrace The Cross (Insights in NT)

12/24/2010

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One verse in Steve Green's song, "Embrace the Cross," goes like this: "Embrace the cross
Where Jesus suffered
Though it will cost
All you claim as yours
Your sacrifice will seem small
Beside the treasure
Eternity can't measure
What Jesus holds in store."

Mark 8 develops this theme beginning with feeding the 4,000, Jesus confronting the wrong thinking of the Pharisees & asking the disciples thought-provoking questions and concluding with the costs of embracing the cross.

For a second time, Jesus felt compassion for the multitude because they had nothing to eat for three days. He instructed the disciples to feed them with their seven loaves. Jesus multiplied their resources including a few small fish so that seven large baskets were left over (Mark 8:1-10).

The Pharisees argued seeking a sign from heaven to test Christ. After sighing deeply in His spirit that they were seeking miracles instead of Him, He left them (Mark 8:11-13).

Jesus then told His disciples to watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. He confronted their hardened heart by reminding them of how many loaves were left over after feeding the 5,000 and 4,000 (Mark 8:14-21).

Jesus healed a blind man, which restored him to full health and enabled him to see everything clearly. He sent him to his home saying, "Do not even enter the village" (Mark 8:22-26).

Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" They told Him John the Baptist, Elijah and one of the prophets. He questioned them, "But who do y0u say that I am?" Peter answered, "Thou are the Christ or Messiah." He warned them to tell no one about Him (Mark 8:27-30).

Jesus rebuked Peter's worldly mindset, which didn't believe Christ would experience suffering, rejection, death and resurrection on the third day. He then shared the following costs in following Him as a disciple:
1. Deny yourself, take up cross and follow Christ
2. Lose life for Christ's sake and the gospel's in order to find it
3. Prioritize peoples' souls over worldly gain
4. Don't be ashamed of Christ and the gospel (Mark 8:31-38).

Consider the following questions:
1. What does embracing the cross mean to you?
2. In what ways are you denying yourself and taking up the cross?
3. Is your career more important than centering your life around the gospel?
4. How have you compromised to fit into the world's system rather than being unashamed of the gospel?
5. How will you begin focusing on God's interests instead of your own?

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Ingredients of Effective Kingdom Ministry

How to Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Praise (Insights in NT)

Know Jesus' Death Causes Creation to be Subject to You (Insights in NT)

Illustration of Radical Obedience to Christ (Insights in NT)

Resist Being Squeezed into the World's Mold (Insights in NT)

Sacrifice Leads to Success (Insights in NT)

Why Jesus Came to Earth (Insights in NT)

How to Embrace the Cross (Insights in NT)

Embrace The Cross (Insights in NT)

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