Real Church, Part 3 (Mark 9:35) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

Read chapter 3, I Will Not Let My Church Be about My Preferences and Desires in Thom Rainer’s book I Am a Church Member, pages 33-42.

After witnessing an incredible “mountain top spiritual experience” Jesus’ Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; and Luke 9:28-36) and hearing Jesus’ second prediction of His death and resurrection the disciples are traveling with Jesus to Capernaum. While traveling the disciples argue over who among them “should be the greatest” (Mark 10:33). Jesus explains that greatness in His kingdom is achieved by serving others (Mark 9:35).

What additional insights about greatness in Christ’s kingdom are gleaned from the following Scriptures?

Matthew 18:2-5; Mark 9:33-37; and Luke 9:47-48--

Matthew 20:20-28; and Mark 10:35-43--

Matthew 5:18-19--

Luke 7:8-10--

Matthew 15:28--

Philippians 2:5 commands, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” contrast Colossians 1:15-18 with Mark 15:16-37. What motivation does this provide for you to not let your church be about your preferences and desires?

Application

Third Pledge: I am a church member. I will not let my church be about my preferences and desires. That is self-serving. I am a member in this church to serve others and to serve Christ. My Savior went to the cross for me. I can deal with any inconveniences and matters that aren’t my preference or style. I Am a Church Member, page 41

Memorize This

Mark 10:43-- But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. HCSB

“But the greatest of these is #love.” - 1 Corinthians 13:13 #MLKDay #MartinLutherKingJr

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Real Church, part 1 (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

Thom Rainer in his book I Am A Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference, observes that 1 Corinthians 12 through 14 offers one of the most voluminous and clear pictures of God’s desire for the church. Rainer writes, “In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul explains the metaphor of the church being a body with many members. In 1 Corinthians 13, he established love as the central attitude and action all members should have. And in 1 Corinthians 14, he returns to the messed-up church at Corinth that has the concept of membership all wrong.” (Page 11)

The beginning point for understanding God’s pattern for the church is embracing unity amidst the diversity of the body, “God has put the body together… so that there would be no division in the body…” (1 Corinthians 12:24b-25a HCSB). 1 Corinthians 12:18 declares, “But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as he wanted.” What further implications of this truth are gleaned from the following Scriptures?

Psalm 143:10--

Proverbs 16:9--

Acts 17:26--

Ephesians 1:11-13--

Compare 1 Corinthians 12:18 with Romans 12:3-4 and Ephesians 4:7. How is the church as a whole more healthy when every member is encouraged to identify and life out his or her function?

Application

 Pledge One:

“I am a church member. I like the metaphor of membership. It’s not a membership as in a civic organization or a country club. It’s the kind of membership given us in 1 Corinthians 12:27, ‘Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.’ Because I am a member of the body of Christ, I must be a functioning member, whether I am an ‘eye,’ or ‘ear,’ or a ‘hand.’ As a functioning member I will give. I will serve. I will minister. I will evangelize. I will study. I will seek to be a blessing to others. I will remember that ‘if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, al the members rejoice with it’ (1 Corinthians 12:26).” I Am a Church Member, page 18.

Memorize This

1 Corinthians 12:18-- But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted. HCSB

Living Incarnationally (John 1:14 & Philippians 2:4) Questions for Reflection

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Incarnation literally means to take on flesh and theologically refers to the Son of God becoming human, “And the Word (Jesus Christ) was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14a). In order to fulfill His mission as Savior Jesus had to first become human. In John 20:21 Jesus commands His disciples, “As My Father has sent Me, even so send I you.” Technically incarnation refers to a specific historical event (becoming a man) fulfilled by Jesus. Missionally, the same way the Father sent Jesus so His followers are sent by Christ. Living day to day with this sense of mission is what is meant by living incarnationally-- taking Jesus was He is to people where they are.

What insights do the following Scriptures provide regarding Jesus’ incarnation?

John 1:39; Mark 6:31--

Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15; Luke 14:1--

Mark 10:13-16--

What implications do the following commands of Scripture have for how the Christ-follower ought to live?

Matthew 28:18-20--

John 20:21--

Galatians 2:20--

Philippians 2:4--

Application

What specific ways to you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to live incarnationally-- take Jesus as He is to people where they are?

Memorize This

Galatians 2:20-- I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ESV