Apicontent

Yesterday brought us to the conclusion of our readings on the Sermon on the Mount. For the next eight weeks, the daily devotionals will be based on the passages in the Bible that describe to us the events leading up to and including the death and resurrection of Jesus. We will be looking at these events in chronological order as recorded in all four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The main purpose for Jesus’ coming was to open the door of forgiveness to all people by his dying on the cross and then rising from the dead. His resurrection is not only a victory over death, it witnesses to the immense power of God himself. Only he who created life can resurrect it, only he can eradicate the consequences of sin, only he can bring us back into a relationship with himself! The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is THE story of our reconciliation to God! These devotionals will remind you of Jesus’ incredible sacrifice and encourage you to live in his love and grace.

As you prepare your mind and heart for the inspiration and challenge of what His death and resurrection mean for you personally, consider two quotes by world-renowned pastors and one important passage of scripture:

“Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life.” —Ravi Zacharias

“The best news of the Christian gospel is that the supremely glorious Creator of the universe has acted in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection to remove every obstacle between us and himself so that we may find everlasting joy in seeing and savoring his infinite beauty.” —John Piper

“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” —Luke 24:6–7

Last week we finished reading the devotionals based on the parables written in the Gospel of Luke. In those brief meditations we had the opportunity to have a first-hand look at Jesus as He taught in many different situations. In many ways, the stories he told are also our stories. Each one of us can find ourselves as a specific character in each scenario, or even as someone in the crowd listening.

What did you learn over the past few weeks that was new to you?

In what ways have you been challenged, encouraged, inspired, and/or convicted as you have immersed yourself in the stories Jesus told?

For the next eight weeks we are going to focus on passages found in the book of Matthew. Matthew was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Once a hated tax collector, his life changed in a dramatic way when he encountered Jesus. The book of Matthew is the first gospel found in the New Testament. This book tells how Jesus was rejected by the Jews, was crucified on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, rose from the dead, and then sent His disciples out to preach His Good News to the whole world. The book of Matthew includes genealogy, history, parables, and sermons; but most importantly, it contains the life-giving message of the salvation we have in Jesus Christ!

As we begin this new series, be encouraged by these thoughts from two well-known followers of Jesus:

Jesus is not a figure from the past: He continues now and always to light the way for us.

—Pope Francis

Outside of Christ, I am only a sinner; but in Christ, I a saved. Outside of Christ, I am empty; in Christ, I am full. Outside of Christ, I am weak; in Christ, I am strong, Outside of Christ, I cannot; in Christ, I am more than able. Outside of Christ, I have been defeated; in Christ, I am already victorious.

—Watchman Nee

Continue to grow in your relationship with Jesus! Continue to read your Bible, pray, connect with other believers, and serve. God is working in you and through you!

Jesus said, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Yesterday we finished reading the devotionals based on passages found in the Gospel of Matthew. In those meditations we had the opportunity to experience the life and teachings of Jesus.

What did you learn about Jesus over the past few weeks that was new to you?

What did you specifically learn about the love of God the Father? About the love of God’s Son, Jesus?

For the next week, as we get ready to close out our year-long discipleship program, we are going to focus on passages found in the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark. As is true of the other gospels, Mark also presents the person, work, and teachings of Jesus, but Mark’s account primarily focuses on “events” rather than “teaching.” Mark presents Jesus as a servant. Jesus had all the power of almighty God—and with that power He came to serve. Are you willing to follow Jesus’ example and serve God and others? These devotionals will challenge and inspire you to embrace Jesus’ example.

As we begin this new series, be encouraged by these thoughts from three well-known followers of Jesus:

“Jesus said, ‘Love … as I have loved you.’ We cannot love too much.” —Amy Carmichael

“When we come to Christ, we’re no longer the most important person in the world to us; Christ is. Instead of living only for ourselves, we have a higher goal: to live for Jesus.” —Billy Graham

“To the servant of God … every place is the right place, and every time is the right time.” —St. Catherine of Siena

Today we are making the transition to another new devotional series, this one based on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as recorded in the book of Matthew. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest continuous section of Jesus speaking found in the New Testament. It includes the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer, and for many believers expresses the main purposes of Christian discipleship.

Enormous crowds were following Jesus and everyone wanted to hear what he had to say. Jesus challenged people to live God’s way rather than conforming to what the world wanted and expected. Jesus made it clear that obeying God’s law is more important than knowing it. Throughout this series, you will be encouraged to consider how you can live God’s way.

Since you will be reading the Sermon on the Mount over the course of many days, we’d like to recommend that you take time today to open up your Bible, or click on whatever device you use for your Bible reading, and read through the entire Sermon in one sitting as found in Matthew 5–7. Take a few extra moments and reflect upon what this passage is saying to you.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:13–16

E. Stanley Jones once said, “The Sermon on the Mount seems dangerous. It challenges the whole underlying conception on which modern society is built. It would replace it by a new conception, animate it with a new motive, and turn it toward a new goal.”

Think about that!

Yesterday brought us to the conclusion of the “Highlights in the book of John” devotionals. Throughout the book of John, we are reminded of the glory of Jesus Christ. He came to reveal His Father to us and introduced us to the work of the Holy Spirit. 

What new insights about the life of Jesus did you gain as you read through devotionals and lessons for the past couple of weeks? 

For the next several days we are going to take a brief look at a series of devotionals highlighting the birth of Jesus. Although few recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Savior, He was and is the King of all the earth! As you read these devotionals, think about Jesus’ humble entry into our world. Reflect upon the significance of His coming and the importance of allowing Him to guide and direct your life.

Jesus is the greatest gift ever given and the greatest gift each one of us can ever receive. God’s incredible love came to us, his children, in the form of a tiny baby. Keep your eyes on Him and the incredible love of God.

You may be reading this information at a time when it is not even close to when Christmas is celebrated, but it’s good to be reminded of Jesus’ humble birth at any time of the year! Sometimes we are so caught up in everything else that is considered “Christmas” in our world today that we lose sight of the tiny baby who was born in a manger. Let these next several days be a reminder to you of Jesus miraculous birth and how it changed the world.

Here are two insights about the birth of Christ:

“We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice.” —Pope Paul VI

“It is impossible to conceive how different things would have turned out if that birth had not happened whenever, wherever, however it did … for millions of people who have lived since, the birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a new way of living it. It is a truth that, for twenty centuries, there have been untold numbers of men and women who, in untold numbers of ways, have been so grasped by the child who was born, so caught up in the message he taught and the life he lived, that they have found themselves profoundly changed by their relationship with him.” —Frederick Buechner

Congratulations!

You have completed the “Become More in Christ 365” series! You have gone through 365 days of God’s Word and his teaching!

Discipleship

The moment you trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you begin your spiritual journey with Jesus. He is your Master, and you are trying to follow Him faithfully. He is your Teacher, and you are His student. You are learning from Him and becoming more like Him. This is discipleship.

Continue to practice what God has shown you, and remain with Jesus and in His love. Discipleship, or following Jesus as your Master and Teacher, is a life-long journey.

You will experience the fullness of your new identity and the power of your new life in Christ as you obey his words more faithfully and make his commandments your new habits.

Already, as you have been reading the Bible and going through this Become More in Christ 365 series, God has given you much.

So, what’s next?

We read in Luke 12:48: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.” This is where disciple-making comes in!

Disciple Making

If you are not already actively involved in disciple-making, now is the time to do it. (Review Day 352, Go and Make Disciples! if necessary.)

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19–20

It is never too soon or too early to make disciples of Jesus (disciple-making) as long as you are learning and growing with Jesus. It is the commandment of Jesus for all Christians. The Apostle Paul defines disciple-making in this way:

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” —1 Corinthians 11:1

Disciple-making is simply helping others follow and learn from Jesus so that they too become and live more like Jesus. We can learn disciple-making from our Jesus.

Life with God

First and foremost, Jesus walked very closely with the Father. His oneness with the Father in the fullness of the Holy Spirit was his life.

We need to walk closely with Jesus. Make it your lifestyle. Order your life around Jesus. Make the presence of God your center just as the people of Israel learned to camp around the tabernacle in the wilderness after they had left Egypt.

Learn to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to walk in the Spirit moment by moment. The fullness of the Spirit should be as natural as breathing. The Christian life is IMPOSSIBLE apart from the Holy Spirit who dwells in every believer in Christ.

Life on Life

Jesus spent time with people one-on-one; individuals like Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman at the well. We have opportunities each and every day to live like Jesus and help individuals know and follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior. As we spend time one-on-one with others, God will use your action, words,

Life in Community

To love God is to love one another in the body of Christ. We experience God’s love and learn to love God in our believing community when we learn to love one another just as Christ loves us.

Jesus gathered his disciples and others. Sometimes, he chose a smaller group of three (Peter, John, James). We learn from each other. We teach one another. We see Jesus and experience his love and grace when we are with others.

“No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us.” —1 John 4:12

Life on Mission

Jesus was teaching in public and performing miracles while his disciples were with him. He then sent them out to do the same. Discipleship is complete when we are on God’s mission, doing God’s assignments together.

Spiritual Multiplication

“And what you heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.” —2 Timothy 2:2

The Apostle Paul encountered the risen and glorified Jesus. Paul discipled Timothy in his faith. Now he instructs Timothy to disciple others who will be competent to disciple others.

This is known as “spiritual multiplication”: from Paul to Timothy to “faithful people” to “others,” showing and encouraging them to followers of Christ.

Imagine, if you help just two others follow and grow in Jesus and those two each help two more do the same. There will be an exponential growth of the number of Jesus-followers in a relatively short time!

Ask God to show you who you can disciple and then trust the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you in that endeavor!