A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

What am I doing to actively fulfill my life mission of sharing Christ?

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Acts 20:24, 1:8, Matt. 18:18–20

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

1. Acts 20:24 ~ But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
   
2. Acts 1:8 ~ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
   
3. Matthew 18:18-20 ~ Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven. Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them.
   

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

1. Each of us are given gifts, and an assignment by God to use those gifts for His glory. Oh that I may be like Paul and dedicate myself so much towards the assignment that God has given to me so that His work may be accomplished through me in my realm of influence. To God be the glory for all that He might accomplish through even me. I know that God don’t need any of us to do His work, but knowing that He placed me here for a purpose, I pray that He could use me constructively so that His kingdom would benefit.
   
2. In this verse I can see clearly where the power comes from that will help me to accomplish the work that God has placed me here to do.
   
3. These verses are an excellent reminder about how important it is for God’s people to be of one mind and one purpose, both with each other and with God’s Book of Instruction, because we are told that it is important for us to know if those things that we agree on are already approved by Him. Conversely, if we find something unlawful or improper, then there must be evidence in God’s Word that the matter is improper or unlawful in heaven. If followers of the same God and the same Book of Instructions (the Bible) were of the same mind, we would obviously see fewer denominations, fewer arguments over religious things, and a body of believers who are truly on fire for God, winning the lost like never before. Disagreements among us in the church has an unfortunate effect on the lost, as they want to see and be a part of something different to what they are seeing in their corner of the world. They want to see folk who are Christ-like. They want to be a part of a church on fire for God, not busy arguing over every little thing, like so many churches today. Let us be of one mind and one purpose. Get self out of the way and let God rule and win the credit for all that is accomplished!
   

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father I thank You for the gifts that You have blessed me with. I know that often I might say that I am of little value to the kingdom, but I am reminded that You have placed me here for a purpose. Please help me to allow Your work to be accomplished through me. Please help me to be a clean vessel through which You can work. Being reminded of the need for unity and oneness in purpose, please help me to do my part in working with other believers so that together we may be an influence to those in need of a Savior, and not a hindrance or a stumbling block. May You receive honor and glory out of all that I may say or do and may the lost see You in all that I might say or do. Please bless my efforts today to be a true and living representative of Yours. Please bless our efforts this week through Noah’s Fall Festival. May there be opportunities for us to witness for You so that others may come to know You as Lord and Savior. May Your kingdom be richer from the results of our efforts this week.