Tag: sunday school

The Cost of Discipleship (Mark 10:28-31 Devotion)

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Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 “who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time–houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions–and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 “But many [who are] first will be last, and the last first.”

– Mark 10:28-31 (NKJV)

We are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. No one earns or can work for his or her salvation. But discipleship does have a cost. Peter shares with Jesus that they have left all to follow Jesus.

To be a disciple, we forsake the things that would compete for our love and obedience to Christ. That is not a cost in the fact that we’ve paid to get something. It is a cost in that we have to get rid of some things in order to gain something else. I think this is what Jesus was illustrating in the parable where a man sells everything he has to buy the field with a tressure. He sells off all his possessions in order to possess the one thing of superior value.

Intimacy is created by exclusivity. I gave up my free agency on the singles market the day I married my wife. I forsook all other potential relationships for her. My marriage cost me my free agency. But I’ll be the first to tell you I got way more than I ever gave up! I’m glad I married my wonderful wife and I wouldn’t trade her for anything. To obtain an exclusive relationship you must give up all rights to whatever would compete for your attention. This is the cost of discipleship.

We must forsake all in order to follow Christ. What we get by following Christ by grace is more than we could ever afford or deserve, but requires that we let go of lesser treasures that do not satisfy in order to gain the ultimate treasure of trusting Christ. There is a cost to discipleship, but it is not the price of admission, it is the price of exclusivity. Are you willing to pay it today?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful for everything we gain when we surrender lesser treasures for the greatest treasure of all. We are grateful for the great gain that there is to be found in following Jesus Christ as Lord and savior. Give us great grace today to encourage and tell others of your grace. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-22 Devotion)

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Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one [is] good but One, [that is], God. 19 “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” 20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

– Mark 10:17-22 (NKJV)

There is a genre of video games out there where the character has a pack of items he can collect/ purchase along the way. Some of the items are really cool and are rare or expensive. Other items are common stuff, but they might come in handy in a pinch. The character usually has a limited capacity backpack. So if you go to pick up a new item and the pack is already full, the game will say that you can’t add anything else until you get rid of something else in your pack. If the item you were trying to pick up was more valuable than the stuff you already had, you would gladly throw out what you had to get the new item.

As Jesus deals with the rich young ruler, it becomes apparent that this guy seems to have it all… and that was the problem, he had too much. Too much confidence in his own ability to “do” something to merit eternal life. This guy didn’t need to “do” anything, he just had to receive what Jesus would do for him. The problem is that he didn’t have any room to receive what Christ had done. The only way that he would be able to embrace eternal life was to let go of the stuff he was holding on to. (not because Jesus wanted his money, he said to give it all to the poor!) The only way we can approach Jesus and it do us any good is to come humbly and empty so that he might fill us.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful that eternal life isn’t something we merit or achieve, but something given to us by grace. Please don’t let us hold on to anything so tightly that we miss what has been so freely done and given for us. Give us grace to receive what you have done for us and walk in faith today. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Childlike Faith (Mark 10:13-16 Devotion)

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Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought [them]. 14 But when Jesus saw [it], He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid [His] hands on them, and blessed them.

– Mark 10:13-16 (NKJV)

The disciples didn’t value children the way that Jesus did. They thought that kids were getting in the way of the “real” work of ministry. They saw them as a waste of Jesus’ time and theirs. But Jesus saw things differently. He has put a child in their midst and encouraged the disciples to look out for the least of these. They should be learning this lesson by now.

Jesus goes further than to say that he values children, he says that his kingdom is made up of children. Furthermore that whoever would become a part of his kingdom must receive it as a child. Children don’t have a lot of skills or ability, but one thing they do have is the ability to depend on someone else. What is viewed as weakness in this world is a real strength when it comes to the kingdom of God.

Sometimes we are tempted to think that the more we know about Jesus, the better Christians we will be. While it is helpful to know about Jesus, that isn’t how we grow in a relationship with God. Trust/ Faith is how you grow in a relationship with God.

There are some folks who come to faith in Christ as a child. They may not know much, but they do know that they are trusting Jesus. How wonderful that the way we receive the kingdom of God isn’t through our own intellectual abilities or good deeds, but through the simple matter of trust. That is something that even a child can do!

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for loving children. Thank you for the simplicity of the gospel message that makes it so powerful that even a child can recieve it. Give us wisdom as we seek to encourage and tell others about you. Give us your heart for children and help us grow in our simple trust in you. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Marriage (Mark 10:1-12 Devotion)

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Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. 2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce [his] wife?” testing Him. 3 And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses permitted [a man] to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss [her].” 5 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 “But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 ‘and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” 10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same [matter]. 11 So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 “And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

– Mark 10:1-12 (NKJV)

One of the first institutions we read about in the bible is the institution of marriage and family. You don’t get far in the scripture before you hear about God’s design for life. When asked about divorce, Jesus goes back to Genesis to talk about marriage.

Some people mistakenly say this passage is about divorce. That is only partly true. The question that came from the Pharisees was about divorce, but the answer that Jesus gave was about marriage. Jesus reminded the Pharisees that in order to talk about divorce you must talk about the institution of marriage. Since marriage was God’s design, he has the final say in how we should treat it.

Jesus doesn’t set us up to examine the legitimacy for getting a divorce in this passage as much as he points us to the legitimacy of a biblical marriage. Notice a few of the things that Jesus states about marriage in this passage:

  • God intentionally created only two sexes, male and female
  • Marriage is between one Man (Male) and one Woman (Female)
  • A Marriage constitutes a brand new family unit
  • Marriage is a lifelong commitment
  • Marriage is an institution designed by God and blessed by God
  • It is a serious to break up a marriage

Jesus talks about marriage in such a clear and concise way that it not only answers the questions of the Pharisees but addresses issues our culture has in trying to redefine marriage today. Jesus doesn’t push some radical new agenda here. He argues for holding the biblical institution of marriage in high regard because it was created and ordained by God.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for the wonderful institution of marriage. Thank you that you created us male and female and you created the intimacy of marriage. I pray that we honor you in our thoughts and actions regarding our marriages. Where there is sin, we ask for your forgiveness and grace. Where we have been sinned against we ask for the grace and ability to forgive. Where there is hurt we ask for healing. Where there is sorrow, we ask for hope. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Kind of Fear That Frees You (Mark 4:35-41 Devotion)

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On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How [is it] that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

– Mark 4:35-41 (NKJV)

It was a terrible thunder storm. We were stuck on a sandbar sheltering under our aluminum canoes in a creek surrounded by tall trees! I have never been in the middle of such a storm before or since. People were huddled around us on that small little sandbar trying to escape the storm. Some of them were literally crying in fear. The electricity was in the air around us… Yet, I remember a peace like no other. I went from canoe to canoe and talked with folks the best I could. I shared the hope I had in Christ and the hope they could have too. You might ask, what gave me peace in that moment and I would tell you, not what, but who. The who is Jesus. I knew where I stood with God and was ready to die. Sure I was scared of death, but I was confident in Jesus to see me through the storm.

You never know how you are going to react in a situation like that until you are in it. I am grateful that on that day, all my confidence was in the Lord. The truth is that sometimes we become familiar with God and we forget just how great He is. We forget that he has the power to calm the wind and the waves in his voice. We forget that even in a storm we are safer with him.

The disciples in this account are afraid of the wrong thing and they don’t know it. They are afraid of a storm. Don’t get me wrong, storms are scary. But you have to notice in the English we get an interesting juxtaposition in the language here and I think we should lean into it because it helps us see a principle… Mainly that we need to order our fears. We will be afraid of losing our life unless we properly know and respect God. Jesus reminds us to bring our fears in order in Luke chapter 12:

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

Luke 12:4-5 (NKJV)

We may go through some scary situations in life. We may find ourselves afraid, but let us not forget to look to Jesus. He is the one through whom we find the confidence to face the storm. He is the one whom we should really honor and respect. We may feel like the storm is set to do us in, but our real and righteous fear doesn’t belong to the storm, it belongs to the one who saved the disciples from this storm and the only one who can save us from our sins.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Help us to order our fears today. When we honor you in our lives, the other things fall into place. Though storms come and the winds blow and we go through scary situations in life, we trust in you to be our strength and our peace. Give us wisdom to always seek you in the storm. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Ears To Hear! (Mark 4:21-25 Devotion)

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Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 “For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 “For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

– Mark 4:21-25 (NKJV)

This is the second time Jesus has shared the words, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” He intends of the disciples to “get it.” It’s one thing to be told something and it’s another thing to hear it. He has told them truths encapsulated in parables. It is now up to them to “get it” and now go do something with what they have been told.

They need to cultivate their hearts to receive the word. They are being given a light and there will come a time when they need to shine it. Some things will be secret for now, but they won’t stay a secret, the world will know. The question is, what will they do with what they have seen and heard?

The more we respond in faith to what we have heard from Jesus, the more we can expect to hear and understand. If we don’t respond in faith, but rather pretend we haven’t heard Jesus or we ignore what he is saying, the less we will understand and know of his word. Jesus is placing responsibility at the feet of the disciples and those who have heard him to put his words into practice. He isn’t sharing theory, entertainment, education, or mere rhetoric. He is sharing the words of life and the more you grasp it, the more there is to grasp… but take heed, if you ignore what he has said, you won’t derive any benefit from what little you do have.

This if helping us further understand the parable of the soils we have just read; Treasure the word, let it penetrate your heart, remove distractions, and in due season it will bloom… harden your heart and what little you have… Satan will come and snatch it away. When you receive the word into your heart, it is doing a work that is hidden or can’t be seen, but it won’t be hidden for long as the seed sprouts, the work God is doing will come into the day light. Do you have ears to hear? Will you cultivate your heart to receive God’s word today?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for your word. I humbly ask that we all come ready to hear your word today and give it the room it deserves in our heart to grow. We pray that you would take your word and produce an abundant harvest in our lives. Use us for your kingdom and your glory. Please guide us in your will. In Jesus Name, Amen.