GIVEN OVER TO THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST.

GRACE LIFE, DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR SAM & ETANA AYODELE. SUNDAY 2ND FEBRUARY, 2020.

Acts 20:32 The Message (MSG) “Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified (Acts 20:32 KJV).

The believer is to live by feeding on the word: the message of Christ; the message of his sufferings and glorification with the benefits that followed. Matthew 4:4 “But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” The message about Jesus Christ; His death, burial and resurrection with his ascension, coupled with the benefits that followed is our everlasting word from God. His coming back as the Holy Ghost to give birth to his glorious Church and all he is doing in his sons today, are not left out. Outside Him, no word from God to men. Jesus Christ is the totality of God to men. Feeding on the word is feeding on this message of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-2 “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.”

God is not speaking but has spoken, in Christ. The word we are hearing today must agree with all that has been spoken in Christ. When Jesus manifested on earth, that was God talking to men. When he died, was buried, rose and ascended, God was speaking to us. Now, he live in his sons as the Holy Ghost. God is in us and he is speaking through us, fulfilling his good pleasure on earth. All he is saying and will forever say through believers must agree with what has been spoken and fulfilled, in Christ. All must agree with the fulfilled scriptures in Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.”

Our theme verse followed a warning from the Spirit of God by Apostle Paul to the Elders of the Churches in Ephesus: “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you (Acts 20:28-31). This warning from the Spirit came with tears in the eyes of the Apostle. He said some grievous wolves will enter into the Church who will not spare the flocks. The wolves here represent false shepherds that will be leading congregation of saints (Believers).

The flocks represent believers. Because of this challenge that will come to the body of Christ, the Church was given over, recommended , handed over, delegated , or entrusted to the word of God's grace. The word of God's grace is the message of Christ; the message of his sufferings and glorification with the benefits. This is the only message that can build us up and enable us manifest the awesome results of Christ salvation, among the sanctified. It’s only on this platform that the believer can manifest the absolute victory of Christ, in his totality, here on earth. The Spirit of Christ work in, and through us on the platform of this grace message. Philippians 2:12-13 “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

For the unbeliever, rejoice greatly because Jesus is inviting you right now, he is the best friend of sinners. Accept him today and be born anew. Be a glorious Son of God by declaring these words from Romans 10:9-10: Jesus Christ, you are my Lord and Savior. I believe in my heart that God raised you from the dead for my justification. Thank you Father, I'm a new creation in Christ, I'm  righteous, blessed with the fullness of God. Amen. To grow in Christ and function in his victory, please search for a Church or a place of worship where they teach the doctrine of Christ alone.

PRAYER:

In the name of Jesus Christ, I’m a hearer and a doer of the message of Christ, I’m blessed in my deed. The Word is building me up, giving me my inheritance among the sanctified. I grow in grace and in the precise knowledge of Christ. The unsaved hearts are receptive to the glad tidings of Christ today, all around the world. The saved will grow in grace and in the precise knowledge of Christ. Thank you Father. Amen.