United by the Mission of the Messiah – Devotion to Jesus/Cause and Effect

CrossWay Church – Macky Shedd – June 8^th, 2025

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. ³ But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. ⁴ For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.  2 Corinthians 11:2-4 (NIV)

Because I am devoted to the messiah…

1. I Will ________ To Be ________

Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher. Luke 6:40 (NLT)

• Disciples Are About ______________ Not Just _________________.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ² “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. Matthew 23:1-3 (NIV)

As children copy their fathers you, as God’s children, are to copy him. Ephesians 5:1 (PHILLIPS)

• Disciples Are About _________________ Not Just ______________.

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Mark 5:15 (NIV)

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)

All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death. Philippians 3:10 (ERV)

• Disciples Are About _________________ Not Just ______________.

For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. ²² I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they praised God because of me. Galatians 1:13-16, 22-24 (PHILLIPS)

2. i Will Submit My ________________ To His __________.

Let them see the full extent of Your power that is at work in those of us who believe, and may it be done according to Your might and power. Friends, it is this same might and resurrection power that ²⁰ He used in the Anointed One to raise Him from the dead… Ephesians 1:19-20a (VOICE)

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)

Now to the God who can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than we ever could ask or imagine through the power at work in us… Ephesians 3:20 (VOICE)

3. i Will ____________ On, Not __________, His Promises.

Here’s the knowledge you need: you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. And you will be My witnesses, first here in Jerusalem, then beyond to Judea and Samaria, and finally to the farthest places on earth.”  Acts 1:8 (VOICE)

What Do I Think I Need To Know Before I Will Go?

…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT)

4. i Will Fulfill My ____________________ To ________

I have a ·duty [obligation; debt] to all people—Greeks and ·those who are not Greeks… Romans 1:14 (EXB)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

5. i Will _____ With Things _____________ Me From His Mission.

Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴² There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42 (NLT)

I am not trying to give you more rules and regulations. I only want to give you advice that is fitting and helpful. I want to help you live lives of faithful devotion to the Lord without any distraction. 1 Corinthians 7:35 (VOICE)

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:4 (NIV)