Part 4, Spiritual Growth Series, Mark 10:6-9; 24-30; 46-52
Luis Cruz, GCF Durham
God designed us to grow together. It is His will that we journey in this life as one body, with one common goal of honoring God. Moreover, the writer of Ecclesiastes teaches that two are better than one, because we can help each other, we can encourage one another and there is strength and growth in number. (See Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
When we are together, it is easier to grow in our…
1. Commitment to Jesus.
Mark 10:24, 28, ““24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!... We have left everything to follow you!”
They all have little understanding of what Jesus came to do.
And yet, Jesus treated them like His very own children.
He puts them together to grow in their relationship with Him.
Our commiment to Jesus, encourages us to be...
2. Committed to God’s spiritual family.
“29 Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.” Mark 10:28-30
You can’t grow without a spiritually family.
It is God who created His family so we can journey together even through trials, challenges and difficulties.
He has given us a family that would even outlive us.
Romans 8:14-17, “14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
We can learn several important divine truths from this passage.
If you are a believer, then you have become a child of God loved and cherished.
He gave you His Spirit that guarantees your adoption to the family.
You have intimacy with God. You can call Him Daddy.
You are an heir of God and co-heir of Christ. We inherit the richness that is in Jesus alone.
We will share in the glory of Jesus in the future as we stand before God’s presence.
You will not be condemned anymore as Jesus already provided our salvation from eternal punishment.
Growing as one body, we become…
3. Committed together to witness for Christ.
“46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”…51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see. 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” Mark 10:46-52
Son of David is Messianic title.
Bartimaeus appealed to Jesus for mercy.
He believed that Jesus can save him from sin.
Jesus restored his eyesight so he can be His witness.
Bartimaeus followed Jesus together with the other disciples and served as a powerful testimony of Jesus’ authority to completely forgive sin.
Bartimaeus’ physical healing was a demonstration that Jesus is sovereign over all the created things.
Something for you to consider today:
Join a bible study group so you can grow together.
Partner with someone to witness for Jesus.
Discover what it means to be part of God’s spiritual family.