Hanging out with
Jesus II: Power From On High
BIBLE
reading: Mark 1:1-12, John 14:12
To
be Disciple Makers we need to follow Jesus. Following Jesus, learning from him
and becoming more like him is being his disciple. Being a disciple is joining
him in his mission to make disciples. He taught discipleship, he modeled
discipleship, he invited us to be disciples, and he commanded us to make
disciples.
Being
a disciple and making disciples is falling into the strategic intent of God. It
is an impossible mission as long as Impossible as long as things hold us back.
It brings a breaking forth into the space of favor and power. It is rising up
and taking territory. Learning of Jesus
is the formula to fulfilling your personal goals in God. He is the best model of victorious life and
ministry. When you follow him, it is no
longer by your merit for he becomes your merit. His yoke is easy and his burden
is light (Mathew 11:29). For when you share a burden with him, you have none in
comparison to what he bears for you. This also applies to the fellowship of his
suffering (Philippians 3:10). Paul had to know him to have a message to preach
– he preached Jesus. He determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him
crucified, he preached the cross (1 Corinthians 1:17, 18; 2:2). Twenty fifteen is a year of walking with
Jesus - a year of following Jesus. Follow whatever the cost. Falling afresh in
love with him continually, being sold-out to him. The longer I serve him the sweeter he grows.
Love him and the more you want what he wants.
Know him by revelation and see his vision by catching it.
It is not the perfection of your preaching but
his grace. It is no longer about your commitment but his commitment. It is not even the perfection of your prayers
but the perfection of your God. For even your best confessions are
imperfect. After you have made all
confessions, you would need to confess the confessions. Something to which there would be no end. Some
of the imperfections come from feeling now you deserve 1 2 3 because you have
confessed x y z. The point is we pray
and confess not to earn but to tune in and relate. We pray because of who we are, and what we
already have. We pray to remove obstacles that hinder us from relating
well. As the relationship gets better all
else gets better. When you pray, ‘In Jesus name’, you declare your authority is
from your position of being in relationship with him. It is not just
name-dropping.
The
story of Christ is one that began and is continuing through your life. Even
though how you begin does not guarantee how you finish it does position you for
ending well. When you start well by putting priorities in right order, putting
up a foundation and a structure in God you set the design and strength for the
future. Starting well prepares for
trouble to come. To be effective disciples let us draw lessons from how Jesus
was prepared in Mark 1:1-15. His
preparation was multifaceted… it included preparation of the way as well as
preparation of the person. The word of promise by the prophets and the divine
voice at baptism prepared Jesus for his task and tests, which further prepared
him for his whole mission.
Preparing the
way
>>>
The words of the prophets prepared the way for Jesus. God’s grace for his instruction comes through
the instruction. The prophetic word that God watches over to perform cleared
the way for the Lord. Nothing can stand in the way of his word. What the prophets wrote happened. The Lord
came after many years and immediately after 400yrs years of prophetic silence.
The prophecy about the messiah also became our promise. In your prophetic word,
there is a promise to many others.
God
raises people to go before you and mentor you for what he wants you to do.
John’s message prepared the way of the Lord. He did so by preparing people to
turn from sin and be ready to receive Jesus for remission of sins and baptism
of the Holy Spirit. He preached to help
people see their need for a savior. Many
came face to face with their sins as they responded to the call to repentance.
Even Pharisees came forward clearly demonstrating that all had sinned. If Pharisees had sinned ... what hope was
there under the law. John called on them
to make the way to their hearts straight for the savior. He pointed people to
receive Jesus who was after him. Like them, you also prepare for Christ’s work
by making straight paths for him. He does not use crooked paths. He is the way
for you now make way for him by repentance, hunger, willingness to obey him and
responding in faith.
The
words of God affirming Jesus prepared the way for Jesus. It inspired confidence
in him as well as credibility with the people. Believers would remember that if
God trusted them with his Son whom he loved, he loved them as much. As a
believer, you carry the ark of his presence. That ought to make a difference.
Preparing the
person
>>>
The word prepared Jesus. He was an eager student of the word. He was
so passionate for the word that at twelve he could sit with doctors in the
temple listening, asking questions and astonishing them by his understanding and
answers (Luke 2:46-47). He was zealous
to obey God’s word. When John was
reluctant to baptize him, he said to John it was important to fulfill all
righteousness. Another example of his strong foundation in God’s word, later in
the wilderness, his defense against temptation was God’s word.
>>>>
The Holy Spirit prepared him for his
work and tests (Acts 10:38). His desire
to fulfill all righteousness facilitated the coming down of the Holy Spirit. He
was filled with the Holy Spirit 30 years into life. He tarried that long no
wonder he confidently advised his disciples to tarry in Jerusalem
>>>
The Trouble prepared him for break
through. Before his break through into
powerful action by the Holy Spirit, he was led by the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted. Temptation
comes just before a major break through.
God still uses the crucible of trouble or discomforts bring forth
wonderful things through humanity. Being tempted is a sign you are in trouble.
Jesus was in the wilderness and was fasting for forty days – that was trouble.
Temptation comes when you are facing a trouble. Before you yield to temptation,
think what the temptation could be trying to keep you from.
The
land of promise was the fulfillment of God's promise - a land of milk and
honey. Nevertheless, it also had hills and valleys, walls and giants as part of
the promise. Nothing worthwhile comes without challenges. The job you are
asking for, the mission to make disciples, the spouse - even if you choose to
be single – will require the word and the Holy Spirit to overcome challenges.
Missions face unexpected storms, twists, turbulences, curves, milestones that
demand opening and closure of life chapters.
In the world, there is trouble. Days of those born of women are full of
trouble but Jesus overcame trouble to the end.
That is why ‘how to overcome challenges’ should be a basic life
skill. If not looking good ... It is not
over yet. Wait and see.
Fasting
is a way to create own trouble to facilitate God’s purpose. If not fasting, other troubles will come to
you to position you for your tests
How prepared are you for 2015. How prepared are you to live
for him and to serve him. Surely you would like to receive anointing, make faith commitments and dedicate yourselves to him and his commission afresh.
PRAYER and DEDICATION
Read
2 Timothy 4:1-6 - ‘I charge thee therefore before God, and the
Lord Jesus Christ , who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and
his kingdom; Preach the word; be
instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine. For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at
hand.’
Prayer
and DECLARATION
Holy
Spirit I need you. You are my teacher, my strength, my comforter, my helper, my
guide. You raise a standard when my enemy comes like a flood. Fill me afresh
right now. I receive you right now by faith in Jesus' name. I receive your fullness and anointing.
Reveal
Jesus to me. Transform me to be like Jesus.
Teach me the word of God. Talk to me and lead me. Raise your standard in my life. Make me a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ,
my savior and lord. Revive your work in our day. Make me a soul winner - of
mighty deeds and wonders. Thank you for a powerful life and fruitful ministry
and career.
I
welcome you in your full glory and power. I declare that through you - I am a
disciple maker. I am a fervent worshiper of Yahweh. I am a soul winner. I am a mountain mover. I
am a wealth creator. I am a world changer. I am a legacy builder. I shall not die but live to declare and do
greater works. It is done yes it is done through the precious blood of Jesus.
We
receive power from high. We wait upon you.
We receive mercy. We receive our righteousness in Christ. We receive
grace. We receive peace. We receive joy. You remember us oh mighty God. Thank
you Lord.
Pray
PSALM 16 for:
- Workers, employers and businesses
- Unemployed - open doors, break curse, take
away reproach
- Students, matrics - Daniel 1
Message by Dr.
Kurai Chitima.
Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith
Life Center.
Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay
Building,
204B Bram Fischer drive,
Randburg, Johannesburg, South
Africa
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