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| == 3 Crosses Series, April 2013 == At His Life we believe in what happened years ago 1 Good Friday! Jesus was nailed to the CROSS. As followers of Him, we have the CROSS COURSE prepared to make disciples CAREFULLY -- its a 3 Fold Journey using the CROSSroads; CROSSover; CROSSlife MATERIAL For 1 month we will focus one this and INTENTIONALLY lead people to Follow the LORD and become a Fisher of men. WELCOME TO THE 3 CROSSES series. |
APRIL 7 SUNDAY The 3 Crosses -- CHOOSE
Luke 23:32, 33, 39-44Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d]”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
APRIL 14 SUNDAY CrossROADS -- DECIDE
Jeremiah 6:16aThis is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
APRIL 21 SUNDAY CrossOVER -- CHANGE
John 5:24“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life."
APRIL 28 SUNDAY CrossLIFE -- FOLLOW
Mark 10:17-30As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[d]”
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[e] to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
“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. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
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ALL SITES; NETWORKS WIDE
3 CROSSES series UNITED PRAYER GUIDE:
- PRAY for PEOPLE [specifically - with names] to undergo the CROSSROADS, CROSSOVER and CROSSLIFE course.
- PRAY for 100 DISCIPLE-Makers to use our Discipleship Materials in excellence and quality relationships building.
- PRAY that each of our SITE will have a TRAINING the TRAINORS sessions in place.
- PRAY for the WONDERFUL Presence of God every Sunday Worship Experience.
- PRAY for Salvations to take place in each of our NETWORKS and SITES this SUMMER 2013.
- PRAY for as MANY as 2000 Groups in the Year 2013!
- LIFEGROUPS (from adults to little children; global)
- CAMPUS GROUPS (nation-wide; global)
- SITE GROUPS (global)
- HOUSE CHURCHES (global)
- INTERCESSORY GROUPS (global)
ASPECTS of this SERIES (this is PROCESSING People for Maturity Series):
- READING of the 16 Chapters of the Book of MARK will be done in our Quiet Times / Personal Devotions DAILY -- if you start reading on April 8, you will FINISH the entire GOSPEL of MARK on April 23. IN YOUR JOURNAL: ASK -- "What do I see in this Passage that Calls me to Follow Jesus Today?" -- write out your MEDITATION and OBEDIENCE POINT.
- All NETWORKS; SITES; LIFEGROUPS >> must provide this to everyone, The CrossRoads; CrossOver; CrossLife COURSES / STUDIES / RETREATS. This ENTAILS a LIST of PROSPECTS to be updated Weekly.
- DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE BOOKLETS: CrossROADS; CrossOVER; CrossLIFE must be FINALIZED and be made available at the PROSPERITY CAFE Resource Area for SALE.
- Training the Trainors IN FULL FORCE. This is an OPEN TRAINING every Wednesdays starting April 17 and ON-WARDS . SITES-Wide! The GOAL is to PRODUCE a PASSIONATE Trainor PER SITE, PER NETWORK to do the TRAINORS TRAINING FOR TRAINORS in the Vision of 12!
- THE PRAYER GOAL of 2000 Groups must be in PLACE in the YEAR 2013.
- PRAYER CHAINS and MEETINGS must use PRIMARILY the SUGGESTED United PRAYER GUIDE above.
3 CROSSES MAIN SONG
CLICK SONG BELOW: Thank You for the Cross [Integrity Hosanna]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-5LQwtcRbI
SONGS SUGGESTED BY WORSHIP TEAM DIRECTOR:
The 3 Crosses Selection of Songs:
Fast:
1. Wonderful Cross – Chris Tomlin
2. Lord I Lift Your Name – The Maranatha Singers
3. For All You’ve Done – Hillsong
4. Today – Brian Doerksen
5. On ly A God Like You – Tommy Walker
6. Salvation is Here – Hillsong
7. Our God – Chris Tomlin
8. Because of Your Love – Paul Baloche
9. Nobody Fills My heart Like Jesus – Dennis Jernigan
10. Lift the Name – New Life Worship
11. Set Free – Chris Tomlin
12. That’s Why We Praise Him – Tommy Walker
Slow:
1. Above All – Michael W. Smith
2. Worthy is the Lamb – Hillsong
3. Amazing Love – Christy Nockels
4. All for Love – Hillsong
5. At the Cross – Hillsong
6. Hallelujah to the Lamb – Don Moen
7. Here I am to Worship – Hillsong
8. I See Grace – New Creation
9. Beautiful Savior – Planet Shakers
10. Lead me to the Cross – Hillsong
11. Thank You for the Cross – Vineyard
12. Take My Life – Christ for the Nations
- - - - - - - since we are to read the 16 chapters of this book ...
GOSPEL of MARK Survey
from gotquestions.org
Author:Although the Gospel of Mark does not name its author, it is the unanimous testimony of early church fathers that Mark was the author. He was an associate of the Apostle Peter, and evidently his spiritual son (1 Peter 5:13). From Peter he received first-hand information of the events and teachings of the Lord, and preserved the information in written form.
It is generally agreed that Mark is the John Mark of the New Testament (Acts 12:12). His mother was a wealthy and prominent Christian in the Jerusalem church, and probably the church met in her home. Mark joined Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but not on the second because of a strong disagreement between the two men (Acts 15:37-38). However, near the end of Paul’s life he called for Mark to be with him (2 Timothy 4:11).
Date of Writing:The Gospel of Mark was likely one of the first books written in the New Testament, probably in A.D. 57-59.
Purpose of Writing:Whereas Matthew is written primarily to his fellow Jews, Mark’s gospel appears to be targeted to the Roman believers, particularly Gentiles. Mark wrote as a pastor to Christians who previously had heard and believed the Gospel (Romans 1:8). He desired that they have a biographical story of Jesus Christ as Servant of the Lord and Savior of the world in order to strengthen their faith in the face of severe persecution and to teach them what it meant to be His disciples.
Key Verses:Mark 1:11: “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”
Mark 1:17: “‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’”
Mark 10:14-15: “He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’”
Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 12:33: “‘Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Mark 16:6: “‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.’”
Mark 16:15: “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.’”
Brief Summary:This gospel is unique because it emphasizes Jesus’ actions more than His teaching. It is simply written, moving quickly from one episode in the life of Christ to another. It does not begin with a genealogy as in Matthew, because Gentiles would not be interested in His lineage. After the introduction of Jesus at His baptism, Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee and called the first four of His twelve disciples. What follows is the record of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Mark’s account is not just a collection of stories, but a narrative written to reveal that Jesus is the Messiah, not only for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well. In a dynamic profession, the disciples, led by Peter, acknowledged their faith in Him (Mark 8:29-30), even though they failed to understand fully His Messiahship until after His resurrection.
As we follow His journeys through Galilee, the surrounding areas, and then to Judea, we realize what a rapid pace He set. He touched the lives of many people, but He left an indelible mark on His disciples. At the transfiguration (Mark 9:1-9), He gave three of them a preview of His future return in power and glory, and again it was revealed to them who He was.
However, in the days leading to His final trip to Jerusalem, we see them bewildered, fearful and doubting. At Jesus’ arrest, He stood alone after they fled. In the following hours of the mock trials, Jesus boldly proclaimed that He is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One, and that He would be triumphant at His return (Mark 14:61-62). The climactic events surrounding the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection were not witnessed by most of His disciples. But several faithful women did witness His passion. After the Sabbath, early in the morning of the first day of the week, they went to the tomb with burial spices. When they saw the stone had been rolled away, they entered the tomb. It was not the body of Jesus they saw, but an angel robed in white. The joyful message they received was, “He is risen!” Women were the first evangelists, as they spread the good news of His resurrection. This same message has been broadcast throughout the world in the following centuries down to us today.
Connections:Because Mark’s intended audience was the Gentiles, he does not quote as frequently from the Old Testament as Matthew, who was writing primarily to the Jews. He does not begin with a genealogy to link Jesus with the Jewish patriarchs, but begins instead with His baptism, the beginning of His earthly ministry. But even there, Mark quotes from an Old Testament prophecy regarding the messenger—John the Baptist—who would exhort the people to “prepare the way for the Lord” (Mark 1:3;Isaiah 40:3) as they awaited the coming of their Messiah.
Jesus does refer to the Old Testament in several passages in Mark. InMark 7:6, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their superficial worship of God with their lips while their hearts were far from Him and refers to their own prophet, Isaiah, to convict them of their hardheartedness (Isaiah 29:13). Jesus referred to another Old Testament prophecy which was to be fulfilled that very night as the disciples would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd when Jesus was arrested and put to death (Mark 14:27;Zechariah 13:7). He referred again to Isaiah when He cleansed the Temple of the money-changers (Mark 11:15-17;Isaiah 56:7;Jeremiah 7:11) and to the Psalms when He explained that He was the chief Cornerstone of our faith and of the Church (Mark 12:10-11;Psalm 118:22-23).
Practical Application:Mark presents Jesus as the suffering Servant of God (Mark 10:45) and as the One who came to serve and sacrifice for us, in part to inspire us to do the same. We are to minister as He did, with the same greatness of humility and devotion to the service of others. Jesus exhorted us to remember that to be great in God’s kingdom, we must be the servant of all (Mark 10:44). Self-sacrifice should transcend our need for recognition or reward, just as Jesus was willing to be abased as He lay down His life for the sheep.
Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/Gospel-of-Mark.html#ixzz2PbWSMobv
GOSPEL of MARK Survey
from gotquestions.org
Author:Although the Gospel of Mark does not name its author, it is the unanimous testimony of early church fathers that Mark was the author. He was an associate of the Apostle Peter, and evidently his spiritual son (1 Peter 5:13). From Peter he received first-hand information of the events and teachings of the Lord, and preserved the information in written form.
It is generally agreed that Mark is the John Mark of the New Testament (Acts 12:12). His mother was a wealthy and prominent Christian in the Jerusalem church, and probably the church met in her home. Mark joined Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but not on the second because of a strong disagreement between the two men (Acts 15:37-38). However, near the end of Paul’s life he called for Mark to be with him (2 Timothy 4:11).
Date of Writing:The Gospel of Mark was likely one of the first books written in the New Testament, probably in A.D. 57-59.
Purpose of Writing:Whereas Matthew is written primarily to his fellow Jews, Mark’s gospel appears to be targeted to the Roman believers, particularly Gentiles. Mark wrote as a pastor to Christians who previously had heard and believed the Gospel (Romans 1:8). He desired that they have a biographical story of Jesus Christ as Servant of the Lord and Savior of the world in order to strengthen their faith in the face of severe persecution and to teach them what it meant to be His disciples.
Key Verses:Mark 1:11: “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”
Mark 1:17: “‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’”
Mark 10:14-15: “He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’”
Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 12:33: “‘Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Mark 16:6: “‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.’”
Mark 16:15: “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.’”
Brief Summary:This gospel is unique because it emphasizes Jesus’ actions more than His teaching. It is simply written, moving quickly from one episode in the life of Christ to another. It does not begin with a genealogy as in Matthew, because Gentiles would not be interested in His lineage. After the introduction of Jesus at His baptism, Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee and called the first four of His twelve disciples. What follows is the record of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Mark’s account is not just a collection of stories, but a narrative written to reveal that Jesus is the Messiah, not only for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well. In a dynamic profession, the disciples, led by Peter, acknowledged their faith in Him (Mark 8:29-30), even though they failed to understand fully His Messiahship until after His resurrection.
As we follow His journeys through Galilee, the surrounding areas, and then to Judea, we realize what a rapid pace He set. He touched the lives of many people, but He left an indelible mark on His disciples. At the transfiguration (Mark 9:1-9), He gave three of them a preview of His future return in power and glory, and again it was revealed to them who He was.
However, in the days leading to His final trip to Jerusalem, we see them bewildered, fearful and doubting. At Jesus’ arrest, He stood alone after they fled. In the following hours of the mock trials, Jesus boldly proclaimed that He is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One, and that He would be triumphant at His return (Mark 14:61-62). The climactic events surrounding the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection were not witnessed by most of His disciples. But several faithful women did witness His passion. After the Sabbath, early in the morning of the first day of the week, they went to the tomb with burial spices. When they saw the stone had been rolled away, they entered the tomb. It was not the body of Jesus they saw, but an angel robed in white. The joyful message they received was, “He is risen!” Women were the first evangelists, as they spread the good news of His resurrection. This same message has been broadcast throughout the world in the following centuries down to us today.
Connections:Because Mark’s intended audience was the Gentiles, he does not quote as frequently from the Old Testament as Matthew, who was writing primarily to the Jews. He does not begin with a genealogy to link Jesus with the Jewish patriarchs, but begins instead with His baptism, the beginning of His earthly ministry. But even there, Mark quotes from an Old Testament prophecy regarding the messenger—John the Baptist—who would exhort the people to “prepare the way for the Lord” (Mark 1:3;Isaiah 40:3) as they awaited the coming of their Messiah.
Jesus does refer to the Old Testament in several passages in Mark. InMark 7:6, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their superficial worship of God with their lips while their hearts were far from Him and refers to their own prophet, Isaiah, to convict them of their hardheartedness (Isaiah 29:13). Jesus referred to another Old Testament prophecy which was to be fulfilled that very night as the disciples would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd when Jesus was arrested and put to death (Mark 14:27;Zechariah 13:7). He referred again to Isaiah when He cleansed the Temple of the money-changers (Mark 11:15-17;Isaiah 56:7;Jeremiah 7:11) and to the Psalms when He explained that He was the chief Cornerstone of our faith and of the Church (Mark 12:10-11;Psalm 118:22-23).
Practical Application:Mark presents Jesus as the suffering Servant of God (Mark 10:45) and as the One who came to serve and sacrifice for us, in part to inspire us to do the same. We are to minister as He did, with the same greatness of humility and devotion to the service of others. Jesus exhorted us to remember that to be great in God’s kingdom, we must be the servant of all (Mark 10:44). Self-sacrifice should transcend our need for recognition or reward, just as Jesus was willing to be abased as He lay down His life for the sheep.
Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/Gospel-of-Mark.html#ixzz2PbWSMobv
