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We'll take a step back in Acts and look at the big picture surrounding the situation with Peter and Cornelius. A lot of things are happening simultaneously. Peter's vision of the unclean animals is an important turning point in the breaking of established traditions for the early church.
Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA
Leprosy brought with it exclusion, separation, and shame. It was essentially incurable. Yet the Old Testament detailed a means to be reinstated to society if the priest declares the leper clean. Our sinful hearts are a lot like leprosy and separate us from God. Our High Priest Jesus is willing to cleanse our hearts if we are faithful to come to Him for healing.
Mark 1:40-45
Leviticus 13:45-46
Sean Byham
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA
Mark tells us of a woman who pursued Jesus with a determination that she could be healed with one touch of His cloak. There is much for us to learn from her and about Jesus who embodies in Himself even now all we need for salvation and life.
Leviticus 15:19-33
Mark 5:24-34,4:31
Romans 11:33
Faith brings an empty hand, receives everything, and can give nothing in return. No grace is so important to the Christian's own soul. By faith we begin. By faith we live. By faith we stand. We walk by faith and not by sight. By faith we overcome. By faith we have peace. By faith we enter into rest. No grace should be the subject of so much self-inquiry. We should often ask ourselves, Do I really believe? Is my faith true, genuine, and the gift of God? J.C. Ryle
There is a lesson here which all true Christians would do well to remember. We are not to be ashamed to confess Christ before men, and to let others know what He has done for our souls. If we have found peace through His blood, and been renewed by His Spirit, we must not shrink from avowing it, on every proper occasion. It is not necessary to blow a trumpet in the streets, and force our experience on everybody's notice. All that is required is a willingness to acknowledge Christ as our Master, without flinching from the ridicule or persecution which by so doing we may bring on ourselves. More than this is not required; but less than this ought not to content us. If we are ashamed of Jesus before men, He will one day be ashamed of us before His Father and the angels. J.C. Ryle
Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:
- What excuses could this woman have given to not get up and go to Jesus?
- When the Bible says that living faith acts/does things... how was this shone in her life?
- What does this passage teach us about Jesus... specifically, what does it mean that He embodies in Himself all we need for salvation and everlasting life?
- Why is faith easy in one sense, and how is that illustrated in this event?
- How is faith hard... and how is it illustrated?
Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA
Mark describes a man with leprosy who believed Jesus was powerful but wondered if He was willing to help Him. How many people find themselves in that situation?
Leviticus 13:38-46,14:1-20
Mark 1:40-45
John 14:6
Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:
- Why would it have been hard for the sick man to come to Jesus?
- Why is Jesus so willing to help?
- Why did the man have no questions about Jesus' ability?
- Why do we desperately need Jesus?
- Will He treat us differently than this man?
- What would it be like to see this healing?
Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA
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