T he CrossPointe elders (Session), having heard credible testimony of saving-faith in Christ alone from these professed believers, cordially welcome them into our covenant- community as newest members! Welcome Mr. Charles & Mrs Alexis Robinson (and family) of Chester, PA!
“We do...” (1) Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in God’s sight, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope (except in His sovereign grace)? (2) Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Son of God & Savior of sinners, and do you receive & rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel? (3) Do you now resolve & promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of His Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as followers of Christ? (4) Do you promise to support the Church in its worship & work to the best of your ability? (5) Do you submit yourselves to the government & discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity & peace?
Mark 1:29-39 New International Version (NIV) 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon- possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus (Part 4): “Discipleship...In-Deed!” [Mark 1:29-39, 43-45] “WWJD” = “What Would Jesus Do?” I prefer “WDJD” = “What Did Jesus Do?” AND “What Does Jesus Do?” (now) DID: He accomplished Redemption-Plan! DOES: He is interceding, feeding, evangelizing!
He Calls, We Follow... ‘Discipleship In-Deed’...Is A Community Project! Word & deed, nurture & outreach. Like the 2 wings on an airplane, we need both...
“Scripture-based Discipleship In-Deed...” Commences by Fixing Your Eyes on Christ (Mk 1:22, 27-28) Continues by Bringing Christ’s Healing into your household (Mk 1:29-31) Considers the Cross of this Holy Christ [no longer a ‘secret’] as Central to Discipleship (Mk 1:24-25; 1:34b; 1:37-38; 1:43-45)
#1: “Discipleship In-Deed”...Commences:...By FIXING your eyes on Christ [ Mk 1:22, 27-28] ~Remember Simon-Peter in Luke 5 (earlier that day)? He sees a disruptive message: Center of my life?! In this “2 x 2” narrative (siblings and spouses/parents-in-law), fixated eyes lead to feet that follow Him! Where are your eyes?
TRUE or FALSE: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus to Follow Him Will LEAD TO... Moderation... True or False? Fanaticism... True or False? Enthusiastic, winsome living.... True or False? [we are following an authoritative, Good (News) King!...]
#2: “Discipleship In-Deed”...CONTINUES with:...Bringing Christ’s Healing into your household [Mk 1:29-33] What do all these healings [including exorcism of 1:21-22 & “various diseases” of 1:29-34] reflect? The eyewitnesses realize ONE THING: Jesus is King OVER the physical world, not just the spiritual world! Who in your family needs to know that? Have you been captured by this truth? Does He heal immediately that house? “MANY” with demons & “MANY” w/diseases (v. 34)...but not “ALL” (v. 32) who were there. Lesson: we must trust His authority AND His wisdom (timing)!
#3: “Discipleship In-Deed”...CONSIDERS:...the Cross of this Holy Christ [no longer a ‘secret’] as CENTRAL to Discipleship The Princess & the Goblin by George MacDonald: “This is the way my thread goes, & I must follow on...”
Charles Spurgeon: “Jesus was up on the Cross (nailed, bleeding, dying), people who betrayed & denied Him...& in the greatest Act of LOVE in history, He stayed! (He could’ve called 10,000 angels!) Yes, He held on to us, for us!” If He wouldn’t abandon you then, He won’t now...
When Jesus called these folks to follow Him & leave their father...Guess what? Jesus Himself had already left HIS Father AND His Father’s throne (not a mere fishing boat)! “He left His Father’s throne above—so free, so infinite His grace...” !! [‘AND CAN IT BE?’ by Charles Wesley] He followed His thread to the Cross so you can follow yours into His Eternal ‘Hug’!