Rev. Eduardo Canlas
UBC Manila
Called To BUILD
(The demand of Christ’s ministry)
- “Let us arise and build.” - Nehemiah
- A humongous task needs a humongous help.
- In order for every believer to build successfully, they need to build well.
- Well built ministries must be founded upon Christ alone.
- “ According to the grace of God given me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another is building on it, but let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.” - I Corinthians 3:10
- How can we build well?
- Upon this ROCK I will build my church…
- I. HIS REAL IDENTITY (The person of Jesus Christ)
- What we think about who Jesus is determines our eternal destiny.
- It is impossible to be wrong in our understanding about Jesus and still be right with Him.
- Jesus is less than God, but more than man. - INC
- Jesus is a prophet who lived a sinless life. - Islam
- Jesus is the spirit child produced by the heavenly couple. - LDS
- Jesus is an avatar who helps people who are lost in their path. - Buddhism
- Our knowledge about Jesus Christ will determine our eternal destination.
- A. KNOW ME
For some, he was John the Baptist and for others, He was an old prophet who rose from the grave.- It was Peter who was given the revelation about the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. His confession was a public declaration of his faith in Christ.
- Behold the man, suffering in silence, bearing our shame. He was despised and rejected… - Isaiah
- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John
- B. LISTEN TO ME
Instead of enjoying such spiritual truth, the Lord instructed His disciples to keep that regard for themselves.- “ And He strictly warned and commanded them not to tell this to anyone, saying: The Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priest, the scribes and be killed, and be raised for the third day.” - Luke 9: 21-22
- The glory of Jesus Christ came after His periods of suffering.
- The glory of the church will never precede our periods of difficulties.
- II. HIS DEMAND FOR SPIRITUALITY
- How t be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
- “ Then He said to them all, ‘ If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’ ” - Luke 9: 23
Salvation is free, but discipleship is very costly.
What does discipleship demand?
- “ Then He said to them all, ‘ If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’ ” - Luke 9: 23
- A. DENYING
Self-denial is not something that we desire, for this world promotes self-assertion. When we deny ourselves, we are allowing Him in charge of everything.- What is the reason for this?
- “ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” - Luke 9: 24
- What is the reason for this?
- B. BEARING
- Cross bearing must be interpreted in the context of the Romans. The activity carries the idea of surrender and sacrifice, but the bearing was modified by the word daily.
- The mandate for every follower is to die to self daily.
- I am crucified with Christ, and I no longer live.
- How t be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
- III. HIS IDEA FOR ETERNITY
- The demand for His kingdom
- “ But I tell you truly, there are some who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.” - Luke 9: 27
- The event (transfiguration) points to the glory of His kingdom that will be unfolded in the future.
- What is the purpose of the event?
- - To authenticate the confession of Peter about the deity of Christ.
- - To encourage Jesus while preparing to enter Jerusalem.
- What does His kingdom demand?
- A. LIVE LIKE CHRIST
The transfiguration reveals that the believers too can experience our own “transfiguration” on a daily basis. Theologically, we call this as sanctification.- sanctification
The process by which believers are being transform into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ so that we cannot conform to the pattern of this world. - Our goal as disciples is to be like Him.
- “ I want to know Him…and to partake in His suffering… becoming like Him even in death.”
- sanctification
- B. LIVE CONSISTENTLY
The transfiguration reveals that every believers too can experience our own “transfiguration” on a daily basis. Theologically, we call this as sanctification.- The event (transfiguration) reveals the glory to come, but His disciples were oblivious that suffering is a vital part in establishing His kingdom.
- The privileged disciples were found sleeping instead of praying.
- Peter suggested to just hold on to that glory that they saw.
- A slumbering church will never developed a solid regard for His divine will.
- A. LIVE LIKE CHRIST
- The demand for His kingdom
Enjoy building His kingdom.