CENTRAL THOUGHT
A genuinely converted believer is committed to the Lord and His cause.
TEXT: LUKE 8:1-3, MARK 16:9-11
INTRODUCTION:
Mary Magdalene was an early follower of Jesus, who was delivered from demonic possession. She was an energetic and caring woman who traveled with Jesus and contributed to the needs of the saints. In this study, we shall be examining her Christian service and commitment.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
1. To identify who Mary Magdalene was
2. To examine her devotion to Christ
3. To examine her reward for commitment
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHO WAS MARY MAGDALENE BEFORE SHE KNEW THE LORD?
Luke 8:2, Mark 16:9
Mary Magdalene was described as one “who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities”; out of whom Christ had cast out seven devils. This means that she was oppressed of and controlled by the devil and had no liberty of her own. Her story changed when she met Jesus.
QUESTION 2) HOW DID MARY MAGDALENE DEMONSTRATE HER LOVE AND COMMITMENT TO CHRIST AFTER HER ENCOUNTER WITH THE LORD?
Mark 15:40-41, John 20:1-2, Luke 8:2-3, Matt. 27:55-56
After her deliverance, Mary Magdalene was committed to the Lord Jesus Christ so much that she was among the women who ministered unto Him of their substance, followed Him throughout His ministry, trial, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. Mary Magdalene demonstrated her love and commitment, as one who truly appreciated what Christ had done in her life. She saw that Jesus was worthy to be committed to. This commitment is expressed in John 20:1 which says that “the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early when it was yet dark unto the sepulcher and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher”. A sincere love for the Lord calls for fervency, desire to know more about Him, and fellowship with Him. This was demonstrated by Mary Magdalene who reciprocated total submission, honor, and service to Christ’s love.
QUESTION 3) JESUS LIFTED UP MANKIND FROM SERVITUDE TO THE JOY OF FELLOWSHIP AND SERVICE DISCUSSED IN LUKE 8:1-3
The record of Mary Magdalene is a clear indication that when Jesus lifts one up from servitude (slavery), that one is bound to have fellowship with and serve the Lord with his/her brethren. The redeemed becomes a new creature at new birth. Such changes are reflected in the person’s way of life physically and spiritually. The believer now has fellowship with the Trinity and with his/her fellow believers. This fellowship brings us closer to our Lord where we bear spiritual fruit and exercise spiritual gifts. This unites the brethren and strengthens them as people, having one calling, one hope and inspiration, and one Lord. Everybody’s services compliment the other for good success.
QUESTION 4) READ ROMANS 12:1-20 AND POINT OUT WHAT SHOULD CHARACTERIZE THE LIFE THAT HAS GENUINELY KNOWN THE LORD.
A life that has genuinely known the Lord is characterized majorly by: A. A living sacrifice: Just as Christ submitted Himself to God’s will as a living sacrifice, “… He is brought as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not His mouth” (Isa. 53:7). So also, believers should be submitted to the will of God without questioning/ rationalizing. Unfortunately, many believers find it difficult to obey the word of God in life situations and are not able to prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. B. True Christian living: This is another characteristic of a genuinely converted believer. Such a person is an embodiment of love, kindness, affections, cleaves to what is good, rejoices in hope, patient in tribulation, prayerful, fervent in spirit, distributes to the necessities of saints, concerned with other people’s plight, hospitable, blesses his persecutors, recompenses no one evil, lives peaceably with all, and allows God to avenge for him of all evils. True Christian living is thus manifested when the Christian yields to the Holy Spirit and becomes a living example as light of the world and salt of the earth.
QUESTION 5.) EXAMINE HOW MAY MAGDALENE EXHIBITED HER COMMITMENT TO THE LORD, AND THE ATTENDANT REWARD. John 20:1-18
Mary cared so much for the Lord Jesus that upon the first day of the week, she went early in the morning to the sepulcher, found the stone rolled away, and went to announce to the Lord’s disciples that the tomb was empty. This is a demonstration of her fervent devotion to the Lord, which every Christian should emulate. Also, when the disciples had gone away from the sepulcher, she still remained behind, sorrowful and diligently searched for the body of Jesus (John 20:11). As a result of the hunger in her heart, she was privileged to see the two angels, following which Jesus Himself appeared to her. Her devotion earned her the privilege of being the first to see the risen Lord. When a believer consistently devotes himself to the service of the Lord, there’s the attendant reward of being with the Lord here on earth and in eternity.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Mary Magdalene is a heartwarming example of thankful living. Jesus saved her and she devoted the rest of her life in serving God. We should not deny God, the church, the brethren, and the entire world of our services. We should know that genuinely converted believers are committed to God and that our services are needed daily to the church and the world. The work is God’s work; the believers are God’s people, so all should join hand in our Father’s business for we will surely be rewarded.
MEMORY VERSE:
Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: Demonstration of love for Christ. Matt. 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41
TUE: Demonstration of commitment to Christ. Luke 8:2-3, John 20:1-2
WED: Call to life of sacrifice. Romans 12:1-3
THU: Call to life of service. Romans 12:4-8
FRI: Evidence of true Christian living. Romans 12:9-21
SAT: Exemplary devotion to the Lord Jesus and the reward. John 20:1-18