Wednesday, February 5, 2014

SALVATION IS FREE..BUT MINISTRY WILL COST YOU SOMETHING!

Mark 10: 35 And James and John, the sons of Zeb'edee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 36 And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" 37 And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 39 And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

·         In this passage of scripture we see that many of Jesus followers desired the spotlight and fame, but did not really count the cost of discipleship!
·         Our ability to worship God was paid by the shedding of blood on Calvary and our salvation is secure. If we are going to follow Jesus Christ, we must acknowledge that ministry is going to cost something! James 1:3-4 knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience, but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
·         The anointing of God cost something. It may cost you friends and family and a certain lifestyle. Mark 8:34 (KJ21) and when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
·         Many of us immediately say we can carry the cross, but are not prepared to handle the pain! Jesus asks can you drink of this cup because he wanted us to understand that it is possible to hurt and succeed at the same time. Jesus was given a cup of bitterness to illustrate to the believer that ministry and the anointing will cost you friends and worldly desires! Jesus called 12 disciples, but they all were not for him! Jesus served and ministered to Judas, who would later betray him, as well as the faithful!
·         Minister literally means to serve!  Make Your Calling and Election Sure 2 Peter 1:3-5 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[a] his own glory and excellence,[b] 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,[c] and virtue with knowledge!

The desire to sit on the right and left hand of God though an incredible desire still comes at a price.

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