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<strong>The Charge to Christ’s Follower</strong>

The Charge to Christ’s Follower

Posted on January 17, 2023 Posted By: KBCF Categories: Devotion

Note: This devotional is taken from the 2023 Prayer and Fasting Week.

Day 3

Truth to Ponder

READ: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; John 20:21-22; Acts 1:8

The four Evangelists gave varying accounts of the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ but the contexts are the same. Jesus Christ had just decisively defeated Satan and the power of sin through His death and resurrection. He had completed His earthly mission. Between His resurrection and ascension to heaven, the focus of His interaction with His disciples is for them to continue the work He had begun, that of establishing the Kingdom of God, which He had ushered in. Jesus’ strategy was not to reach the whole world by Himself, but through His disciples, who would also make disciples.

Why are we all still in this world of hardships, trials, and problems? We would all be better off being taken by our Lord away from this world and being with Him (Philippians 1:21-26). But it is not just about us. God loves the whole world and His love desires that all would experience the blessings of His kingdom. Shouldn’t we desire that, too?

He has already empowered us with the Holy Spirit so that we will be able us to go, baptize, teach, preach, and witness. But all these will happen only if we will obey His charge and follow Him.

Examine the Word

1. The main verb in Matthew 28:19-20 is “make disciples”. This can be accomplished by going (sharing the gospel), baptizing (incorporating those who put their faith in Him to a local body of believers), and teaching (guiding people to a life of obedience according to the Word). Why do you think all these three are indispensable in fulfilling the Great Commission? What would be the consequences if any of these is neglected?
2. In John 20:21, Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you”. Jesus lived His earthly life in obedience to God’s mission for Him. In the same way, He is sending us on a mission to the world (John 17:18). “As Jesus is defined by the mission of the Father, so the church is defined by its mission to the world. The great movement of the missionary heart of God sending forth His Son into the world is initially through the incarnation and subsequently through His church.” (Bruce Milne). How did Jesus do His mission? How can the church do likewise?
3. In John 20:22 and Acts 1:8, Jesus Christ introduced the Holy Spirit’s role in enabling His disciples to fulfill His commission. As they were at that time, Jesus’ disciples were often rebuked by Him for their lack of faith and understanding. They were being held back by fear and uncertainty. Jesus knew their weaknesses and made provision for them. He enables those who follow Him. What specific changes do you see in the disciples’ attitudes and actions in the succeeding events?

Personal Application

  1. Are you taking Jesus’ commission as seriously as He obeyed His mission from the Father? Examine your priorities in life. How are you using your time and resources?
  2. In what specific ways are you following Jesus Christ by fulfilling the Great Commission? How are you witnessing for Him wherever you are and whatever you are doing? How are you contributing to the building up of your fellow believers?
  3. How aware are you of the Spirit’s work in your life? What gifts and enablement has He given you for the edification of His body? How are you using His gifts?

Prayer
Our Heavenly Father, thank you for trusting us and empowering us to continue Your mission in the world. We confess that there are times we are just content in enjoying the blessings of Your kingdom and neglecting our responsibility to love others by giving them the opportunity to know our Lord Jesus Christ. Convict us and make us see that our lives are not primarily about us and our interests, but about You and your purposes. Help us to obey the Great Commission. Cause us to make use of every opportunity to witness for You and to help other believers to grow, that together we will all honor and glorify You in and through our lives. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Prayer Items

 NATION

PHILIPPINES: 10-POINT AGENDA (Points 5&6)

Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide our government on the following agenda for economic renewal and long-term growth.

5. Transparent and Efficient Governance: Establish efficient government processes, such as mandatory online services, to promote transparency, shorten turnaround time, and limit the opportunities for corruption.

6. Digital Philippines: Set up ‘Broadband ng Masa’ for quick, reliable, and affordable internet services, which will facilitate effective learning and efficient delivery of public services.

PHILIPPINES: Members of the Cabinet

Lift up to the Holy Spirit the specific work of each cabinet member.  Pray for anointing to do the work.

  1. AGRARIAN REFORM SEC.: Conrado Estrella III
  2. ENVIRON. and NATURAL RESOURCES SEC.: Ma. Antonia Loyzaga
  3. INTERIOR and LOCAL GOV’T. SEC.: Benjamin Abalos Jr.
  4. TOURISM SEC.: Ma. Esperanza Christina Frasco
  5. TRANSPORTATION SEC.: Jaime Bautista    
  6. ADVISER, PEACE, RECONCILIATION and UNITY: Carlito Galvez Jr.
 FAMILY/HEALTH/PERSONAL BREAKTHROUGHS

Pray: Holy Spirit to enable enhancement of the house-church model where families are praying, worshiping God together and serving church together face to face.

 KBCF

47 YEARS – Pasalamatan ang Dios:

(Note: Hango sa “Apat na Dekada at Pitong Taon ng KBCF”)
1. Magbalik dating lalim ng pagkakatalaga bilang iglesiya at mga tagasunod ni Jesu-Cristo.
2. Malinawan mga naglaho, kumupas, naglikat; at kung saan naman dadalhin at ihahantong.
3. Malinawan kung tayo sa KBCF ay tunay nga na followers o tagasunod kay Jesu-Cristo.
4. Magkaroon muli ng tapang na harapin mga hamon ng panahon; magkasamang hahayo, ipapangaral ebanghelyo ng Panginoon; maging handang umahon, langkay-langkay sa paglakad, tulong-tulong sa pagsulong.
5. Maging handang itakwil at itanggi sarili, krus pasanin; si Jesus lamang ang iibigin at susundin.

FOUR (4) PRIORITY AREAS FOR 2023 (Number 3)

Pray for the Holy Spirit to enable KBCF to pursue priority:      
3. MENTORSHIP-EDIFYING – Build-up engagement of members in the church and its
ministries.

FOLLOW THROUGH ON CLEANSING, EDUCATING and EQUIPPING (CEE)

Pray for the Holy Spirit to enable KBCF to follow through its past efforts on CEE:
a. Enable return to basics, roots of KBCF—intentional discipleship .
b. Enable pastors and members to sustain the implementation of Spiritual Journey/ related programs.

PAST CHURCH HEALTH ASSESSMENT (CHA)

Pray for follow-through of the findings on the past CHA on Members/ Attendance Trend  

PRAY: to find cause and address trend of attendance
– for willingness to start new groups/classes to reach people
– members to maximize participation in trainings (to know and use their spiritual gifts)
– pastors/leaders to enable members to know the purposes of the church