52: You Belong – How Do You Get Into Jesus’ Inner Circle?

How far would you go to belong? 

Mark 3:20-35 (NLT)
20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.  21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.  22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons.  That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”  23 Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration.  “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked.  24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.  25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.  26 And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive.  27 Let me illustrate this further.  Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods?  Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.  28 “I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, 29 but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.  This is a sin with eternal consequences.”  30 He told them this because they were saying, “He’s possessed by an evil spirit.”  31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him.  They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them.  32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.”  33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother?  Who are my brothers?”  34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers.  35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Crowds come to Jesus (v20)
     Jesus’ family thinks he’s crazy (v21)
            The scribes accuse Jesus (v22)
                        Jesus’ response (v23-29)
            The scribes’ accusation restated (v30)
     Jesus’ family comes to take charge (v31-33)
Crowds sit around Jesus as his new family (v34-35)

Mark 3:35 (NLT)
35 “Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Ephesians 1:5-7 (NLT)
5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.  7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Mark 3:25 (NLT)
25 “Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.”

There comes a point where means .

Are you dying to belong? 

Romans 6:3-4 (NLT)
3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?  4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism.  And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

The Family that matters most is not your family of birth, but your family of .

Romans 3:22 (NLT)
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.  And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Who’s your one? 

Extra Notes:

What part of the service impacted you the most?

Help Your One Find & Follow Jesus