Prayer: Father God, Lord Jesus, hallowed is your holy name. As each day passes, we recognize that we must wear God’s armor, enter the mission field, and hold the line for the freedom defined by Christ. We understand Christ has set us free! This means we are free, indeed. Now we must hold on to that freedom and never again become slaves of manmade laws (Gal. 5:1). Lord, help us walk in the Spirit and drop anchor on solid ground. Help us run this race and witness for the faith. Sanctify us with your truth and help us discern and expose lies, conspiracy theories, false prophets, and the devil’s disciples. Even with all that is happening in the world, we come with a grateful heart, thanking you for renewing our spirits and helping us maintain hope. Thank you for allowing us to continue learning and growing in the Spirit. Thank you for forgiving our sins and encouraging us to forgive others. Thank you for Jesus, who died for our sins and is our living hope for everlasting life. Thank you for your Word and for showing us how to live free in Christ. Lord, thank you for giving me words pleasing to Your ear and food for Your people. In Jesus' Name, I say Amen.
Message - It only takes one! We are given gifts and called to God's vital mission(s) for us. When you hear God’s call, will you be like the Prophet Isaiah and say, “Here I am, send me” (Isa. 6:8)? Make sure you look closely at yourself and listen as the Holy Spirit gives counsel. It is popular to volunteer in theory, but I am a witness to people's hesitation in real-life situations. I know because I have had hesitant moments in my life. Many of you say you will go, even if you must go alone. It is a beautiful thought and song, but does it describe you?
Examine yourself to see if you are honest with yourself. Many people will not do things that cause pain or are inconvenient. When Jesus was preaching about the bread of life in Capernaum, many of the disciples were grumbling because they found the teaching hard to believe, so they turned back and no longer followed Him (John 6:48-66). For example, sometimes people question what a pastor says and will not study God’s Word to verify the truth because studying is inconvenient. Bishop Patterson said, “Salvation is free, but there is a cost to following Jesus.” Many are unwilling to endure and pay the cost of standing firm in their faith, so they turn back.
Will you turn back and follow the Law that Jesus fulfilled and manmade laws because it is easier? We must understand that the Law was a shadow of things to come; therefore, the earthly church, where we witness and worship, is a shadow of the Lord’s Church, the one and only Church without a spot or blemish. This is the Church for which the Lord is coming back to claim (Eph. 5:27). This is why we are instructed to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord, so that we may draw closer to the Lord Jesus and let Him reside in His temple and continually cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We understand that repentance is required to “walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). When we walk in the Spirit, we see what others do not see nor understand what they have heard. We have a divine and great High Priest, the only perfect sacrifice, and “He can save completely those who draw near to God through Him” (Heb. 7:25). Jesus opened a new and living way for us to draw near to God through the curtain of His body. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1, NKJV).
Do not be like sheep who have gone astray and depend on their understanding versus God’s word and counsel of the Holy Spirit. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Heb. 9:14). Do not be amazed or ignorant about this, because eventually, “God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil” (Eccles. 12:14).
The sacrificial system in the Old Testament commanded the Israelites to offer sacrifices for their sins, even knowing that these sacrifices were temporary and insufficient because they had to do it every year. Hebrews 10:4 (NIV) tells us that bulls and goats' blood can't take away sins. Recognizing the gravity of sin should humble us and lead us to repentance. It’s not about what we can do but about accepting what Christ has done as enough. The Old Testament system pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who would accomplish what no animal sacrifice could. Christ’s sacrifice was the first and the last God-ordained human sacrifice, which was sufficient because we only needed one. There will not be another, because through this one sacrifice came “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph. 4:5, NIV).
Jesus already did the work! John 19:30 records His final words on the cross: "It is finished!" The Greek term telesteria means "paid in full." This declaration assures us that His sacrifice was complete and sufficient. It was God’s will to make us holy through Christ’s sacrifice (Heb. 10:10). Because of Christ’s finished work, we are free to live in His grace. Galatians 5:1 declares: "So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law." Freedom in Christ means living a life empowered by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:1-2 says, "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Do not overlook that this verse says there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. It is up to us to examine ourselves and decide if we belong to Christ Jesus.
Have faith in His finished work; the way is made for all who believe and trust in the Lord Jesus. Do not allow anyone to convince you that you are not wonderfully made. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm. God can be trusted because “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). He is faithful! Even when our faith wavers, He remains faithful, so be obedient: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind (Num. 23:19).
As we prepare our hearts for communion, as often as we do it, let us focus on the truth of Christ’s finished work on the cross. And “let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). Only speak that which helps build others up. The foundation is laid, build on it. If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, do so today. It takes only one! The Gospel Message of Jesus Christ is under attack; so, stop striving to lay a foundation and start trusting in the One who has already laid the foundation to make a way for us all to claim eternal life. For those who already know Him, let communion be a moment to renew your commitment to live in the freedom He provides. Jesus made the way; all we need to do is summon the courage to live out our faith. It only takes one! You can be the one who travels the narrow road and follows the One into the Kingdom of God! The One who was, is, and always will be opened the door for us to walk in.
Let us pray for God to give us a fresh anointing and the strength to stand our ground as we hold the line for freedom in Christ. It only takes One.
