How To be Transformed (Romans 12:1-2) by Sis. Lilia Cabatbat

Paul gives guidelines for living, as a redeemed people in a fallen world. But how we live has to be based on what we believe. And it is only as we get into a right relationship with God, that we can begin to live in a way that pleases Him.

 

In our daily living we must crucify our desires and sinful habits that keep us from following Christ. We have to understand what we have believed so that we can behave accordingly.  If the object of our belief is right our actions follow. Proverbs 23:7 says,

 

 Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)     For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

 

We must know by heart to whom and what we believe, and our identity in Christ so we can behave of what is expected of us as children of God.

 

Remember that what we do does not determine of who we are, but who we are determine what we do. Example, If you know that you are a child of a king definitely you will behave like a prince or a princess. We should not find significance or acceptance on what we do, but of who we are in Christ.

 

There are several questions we’ve to consider as we study the verse.

·         What does it mean to be transformed?

·         What is our goal of transformation?

·         What motivates us to undergo transformation?

·         What we can do to experience transformation?

 

I. THE WORD TRANSFORMATION

 

The  Greek word is METAMORPHOO means  “to change into another form.” This is where the word “metamorphosis” comes from. It is used to describe a change of form. For example, when a caterpillar becomes a beautiful butterfly.

 

The concept of transformation is that we the redeemed people of God are “ to undergo a complete change, which, under the power of God, will find experience in character and conduct,” ( Vine’s  dictionary ). So then, we who are caterpillars are to become  beautiful butterflies. It indicates that transformation is something we allow to be done to us, and has nothing to do by our own strength and will power, but by the power of God and by His grace alone that we are changed into another form and become a new creation. ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ) Praise the Lord for His grace.

 

II. OUR GOAL FOR TRANSFORMATION.

 

To become like Christ, as expressed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:18:

 

2 Cor 3:18 (NKJV)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

                                           

By gazing at the nature of God with unveiled minds we can be more like HIM. In the gospel we see the truth about Christ, and it transforms us morally as we understand and apply it. By learning about Christ’s life, we can understand how wonderful God is and what He is really like, and as our knowledge of Him deepens, the Holy Spirit helps us to change. Becoming like Christ is a progressive experience. The more closely we follow Him, the more we will be like Him.

 

To live like Christ in the decaying world, by daily  denying ourselves and crucifying our flesh, that the character of Jesus be seen in us.

 

Let the love and forgiveness that we receive from HIM overflow from our hearts as we present our lives as a living testimony of HISWORD as we testify before the world that are still yet to be won for Christ.

 

III. OUR MOTIVATION FOR TRANSFORMATION (v. 1)

 

Romans 12:1 (NKJV)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

 

These are our motivation to change:

·         The abundant mercies of God

·         Our freedom from sin

·         Our gift of eternal life

·         Our access to the grace of God

·         Having peace with God

·         We have been saved from God’s wrath

·         We are reconciled to God

 

In view of God’s mercies and love for us and for the mighty works that Jesus did on the cross for us, should compel us to be transformed, living our lives for His glory. As the scripture says in Galatians 2:20:  

 

Gal 2:20 (NKJV)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 

 

IV. THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION (v. 2)

 

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 

It begins when we receive Jesus in our hearts and baptized into Christ. From there, we experience the working of God, the renewal of the spirit, and the desire to walk in newness of life. Complete surrender with the baptism of the Holy Spirit becomes the starting point in which true transformation can take place in us, and allowing God to reign and take full control over our hearts and minds.

 

The renewing of our minds is the process of transformation continues as we renew our minds.Let me explain the state of our mind before we came to know the Lord. Our flesh generates humanistic thoughts and ideas; it’s the part of us which was trained to live independent of God before we become Christians. At that time there was no Plan A in our life, we’re separated from God, ignorant in His ways and determined to succeed and survive by our own abilities. When we were born again, God gave us a new nature and we became a new person but nobody pressed the delete button in our brain. We brought with us into our new faith all the old Plan B habits and thought patterns of the flesh. So while our new self desires to live dependent on God and follow Plan A, our flesh persists in suggesting Plan B ways to live independent of God.

 

PLAN A - is living our life God’s way, operating by faith.

PLAN B – is living our life our way, operating by our limited ability to reason, survive and succeed.

 

In order to win the battle for our minds we need strategy. If the strongholds in our minds are the result of conditioning, then we can be reconditioned by the renewing of our minds. Anything that has been learned can be unlearned. We have to reformat our mind, deleting all our plan B habits, and reinstall the Word of God to guide and direct our new life in Him.  Remember that we’re not just up against the world and the flesh, but we’re also up against the devil who is scheming to fill our minds with thoughts which are opposed to God’s plan for our lives. 2 Corinthians 10:5  says,

 

2 Cor 10:5 (NKJV)

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

 

Why? Because they are the enemy’s thought. Satan’s strategy is to introduce his thoughts and ideas into our minds and deceive us into believing that they are ours, it happened to David. In 1 Chronicles 21:1:

 

1 Chron 21:1 (NKJV)

Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.

 

Satan moved David to number Israel, an act God did not command and David acted on Satan’s idea. Did Satan simply say to David “I want you to number Israel?” David was a godly man and he would not have obeyed Satan, but he suggested the idea into David’s mind in the first person singular. “I need to know how large my army is, I think I’ll count the troops.” When Satan disguises his suggestion as your idea you are more likely to accept it. That is his primary deception.

 

Satan’s power is in the lie. He has no power over us except what we give him by failing to take every thought captive and being deceived into believing his lies. Since Satan’s primary weapon is a lie, our defense against him is truth. Dealing with Satan is not a power encounter but it’s a truth encounter.

 

When we expose Satan’s lie with God’s truth his power is broken, that’s why Jesus said:

 

John 8:32 (NKJV)  “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

 

That’s why the first piece of armor Paul mentioned for standing against the devil’s schemes is the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14). Satan’s lie cannot withstand the truth.

 

Setting our minds

 

Col 3:2 (NKJV)   Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

 

As we continue to fill our minds with God’s truth we will equip ourselves to recognize the lie and take it captive to obey Christ. Evaluate every thought by the truth.

 

Phil 4:8 (NKJV)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there isany virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

 

We should master ourselves to know the real one from the fake. Praise God HE has given us His Word to guide us. Psalm 119:105 says:

 

Psalms 119:105 (NKJV)    Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

                         

Turn to God when your commitment to Plan A is challenged by Plan B thoughts from the world, the flesh or the devil, bring them to God in prayer by doing so you’ve acknowledge God and exposing your thoughts to the truth.

 

Psalms 4:6 (NKJV)

There are many who say, "Who will show us any good?" Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

 

VICTORY IN THE BATTLE FOR OUR MIND IS THE UNDISPUTED INHERITANCE OF EVERYONE WHO IS IN CHRIST. AMEN

 

HINDRANCES FOR OUR TRANSFORMATION

 

Pride, resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness. Irregular bible study, prayerlessness and no fellowship. Feeding our minds with junk TV shows, magazines, books and movies. Spending more time on Facebook instead of spending time with God in prayer and reading and studying of His Word.

 

Remember that our attitudes and behavior is but a reflection of what goes into our minds.

   

CONCLUSION

 

We all have been called to be transformed. God’s abundant mercies and His love should motivate us to seek transformation of our hearts and mind. Our goal is: a) to become like Christ and  b) to live like Christ.

 

We must allow our minds to be renewed by deleting all our old thought patterns that are contrary to God’s plan for us and stars filling our minds with the things of God (Colossians 3:2, Philippians 4:8 )

 

2 Cor 10:4-6 (NKJV)

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,BRINGING EVERY THOUGHT INTO CAPTIVITY TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

 

In light of God’s wonderful grace, let us prove to the world that God’s will is indeed good, acceptable and perfect. How? by allowing God to mold us and make us or even break us, so He can fashion us the way He wanted us to be, that His Name be magnified in our lives as we represent HIM before the world, that are still yet to be won for Jesus to the glory of the Father. Amen.

 

PRAISE THE LORD FOR THE TRUTH OF HIS WORD THAT SETS US FREE TO LIVE OUR LIVES FOR HIS GLORY.

In Focus With God (Hebrews 12:2-13)

by: Sis. Leonor Fernandez

In dentistry, a periapical radiograph records the entire tooth and supporting bone and is used to evaluate the extent of caries and periodontal bone loss and aids in the diagnosis and treatment of root and bony pathoses. It is a valuable diagnostic tool when the image quality is adequate for proper interpretation and this can be obtained if the tooth, the film and x-ray cone beam are properly aligned and focused. On the other hand, if it is out of focus, a blurred and hazy image quality that results in a radiograph which is non-diagnostic and is useless to the dentist.

 Likewise in photography, a   well - focused photograph has both the main subject and the background images distinct and crisp. A mis- focused one is out of focus from the main subject, but some other part of the image is tack sharp. And even if Bokeh Photography (please Google this) is now appreciated in this generation, in the old school a clear and well defined photo is the benchmark, and this can be obtained from the right lens and model focus.

 As believers, our persevering obedience of faith in Christ is the race set before us, wherein we may either win the crown of glory or have everlasting misery for our portion. Our journey is always compared to a race. We are to lay aside everything that hinders us in reaching our goal and devote ourselves to what is beneficial. In this passage the life of faith has been amply attested by witnesses from the Old Testament, hence believers ought to run with perseverance. The supreme model for this continued to be Jesus, however admirable the Old Testament figures might be. He is the author and perfecter of our faith.

 

Reasons Why We Focus On Jesus

1.      Secured in His finished work (v 2)

Heb 12:2 (NIV)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We all are estranged from God but because of Jesus after enduring the cross and scorning its shame, we are reconciled back to the Father. He has done it once, and for all. His joy is to do the will of the Father. He kept His eye on that joy set before Him; the joy alluded in Hebrews 1:9

“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;   therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

He obtained an eternal throne and assumed triumphant position at the right hand of God. In our lives, let our obedience be not based on fear and blessings, or punishment and rewards but we obey because it is our joy to do it so.

2.      Inspired by His example (v 3-4)

Heb 12:3-4 (NIV)

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

There will be challenges that come our way and nothing is more natural for a person than to overestimate the severity of his trials. If we look steadfastly on Jesus and on the opposition which He confronted and endured, then we would be encouraged. He also experienced pain and suffering, up to the point of shedding blood. What then are our little trials compared to His agonies?

3.      Trust in His Father’s love (v 5-11)

Heb 12:5-11 (NIV)

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, ⁶ because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." ⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! ¹⁰ Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Proverbs 3:11-12 says  

¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,  and do not resent his rebuke, ¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves,  as a father the son he delights in.

This presents divine discipline as an evidence of divine love. Discipline is an evidence of sonship. In speaking of those who are not disciplined and are thus illegitimate children, these refer to Christians whose disloyalty to the faith resulted in their loss of inheritance. On the other hand, believers who undergo god’s discipline are being prepared for the educational process for millennial reward.

4.      Further in His given journey (v 12-13)

Heb 12:12-13 (NIV)

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ¹³ "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

The burden of affliction is apt to make the Christians hands hang down and his knees feeble, to dispirit him and discourage him but against this we must receive it because it is certain that healing, strength and growth can be reaped through it.

CONCLUSION:  John 14:1-7 (NIV)

¹ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.” ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

                                                                         

COMMITMENT OF A CHRISTIAN (1Peter 3:13-17)

by:  Bro. Kevin Lee De Guzman

Growing up in a Christian family, I experienced persecution first hand during primaryschool for having a “weird” religion and in the church for being an“irresponsible” pastor’s kid. I was bullied at school for not having the RomanCatholic belief like everyone else. My classmates were making fun of me fordoing extreme worship of the Lord. For them raising your hands and singingloudly for God is extreme worship. On the other hand, church elders frown everytime they see me not lifting my hands high enough or singing loud enough duringpraise and worship.

Christ Himself was persecuted for bringing the good news. From then, all of His followers, from His disciples up to the present Christians have been experiencing the same. During Peter and Paul’s time, the persecutors were a bit harsh compared to present day persecutors. Thank God that nowadays; we don’thave to risk being fed to lions or being burned alive when we proclaim our faith in Christ. Although the experience may vary in ways and severity, the point is that every Christian has experienced persecution.

Commitment of a Christian is a theme that covers a wide span of topics, but we would befocusing on the areas of enduring and defending our faith. The first epistle o fSt. Peter was written during the reign of Roman Empire, the time when Jewish Christians were being brutally tortured and killed for believing in Christ.

A life that is committed to Christ involves three things:


1.     A life that is committed to Christ involvessuffering for the right cause.

1 Peter 3:13-17 NKJV


13 And who is he who will harmyou if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if youshould suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid oftheir threats, nor be troubled.

Peter tells them “There is a great possibility that you will suffer- but even if youshould suffer- for righteousness sake- you are blessed.” Because we arefollowers of Christ we are protected from harm, but because suffering isinevitable, as long as we are in righteousness, we are blessed.

We are living in an era where we can freely embrace and proclaim our faith inChrist unlike centuries ago when Christians have to suffer severely, even to the point of losing their lives. Even so, suffering to the extent that your life is taken away from you does not take away the blessedness but evenpromotes it. It only justifies God’s comfort to those who follows Him. A good example was the peace that was exhorted by Christians while being burned alive.Instead of anguish and horrific screams, which the Romans were expecting, they heard songs of praises for the Lord.

We should always remember that suffering does not make you a martyr, but the causeof which you die does. Being born in this era, we need not have to endure as much as the Christians in Peter or Paul’s time did. Many Christians of today have become soft and weak not because of lack of suffering but because some of us forgot the reason for such instances.

2.    A life that is committed to Christ puts Him in His rightful place.

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, 

“Sanctify”coming from the Greek word Hagiasate whichmeans “separate from a profane to a sacred purpose.” Heart from the Greek wordKardia which means “the seat of emotional and intellectual life.” Sanctifyingthe Lord in our heart means giving Him His rightful place in our lives. Ouractions, emotions, the way we think will all be based on His’.  In medicine, the heart sustains life in anindividual. It pumps blood so that the oxygen and nourishment will reach everyinch of our body. Putting Him in our heart means letting Him in, in every inchor aspect of our life.


3.    A life that is committed to Christ is always ready to make a defense for theright reason at the right time to the right person.

…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you asevildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

“Be ready” which in its original Greek word means being fit. Like being fit for the job.  Like aword class body builder, one must continue with rigorous training to maintain his physique. Without continues training, the once perfect sculptured body will fade and shrink. As Christians, our commitment doesn’t end after we receive salvation. It marks the beginning of a lifetime commitment of learning. Theresponsibility of spreading the word of God or defend our faith are not just for specialists and pastors, but for the church.

“To make a defense” is not synonymous to “to make a debate.” We should be able todetermine the right time and the right person to answer to. Giving the rightanswer at the right time to the wrong person is still wrong. To whom we should answer?We should answer to those people who are asking or intrigued by the hope thatthey see in us. This living hope attracts persecutors as well as confronters.Let’s ask ourselves, “Do the people around me see this hope that I have?” Is there any hope to begin with? Or is it hopelessness that they see, being bornagain in Christ means we have died to our old lives and thus we have a new living hope.

“Reason”-from the Greek word logos, where we get the English word logic. This onlymeans that the word of God has a logical explanation and it is not impossible to understand. When we answer to those who question our faith we ought to this with meekness. We are not to use highfaluting words to make ourselves sound wiser. Remember that our intention is to explain it as simple as possible andnot complicate things.  Good news that is not explained is not only isn’t good, it isn’t even news. It is not our intellector intelligence that would put these people to shame but our good conduct in Christ. We may know the truth, but no one will listen to this truth unless you deliver it with kindness.

Conclusion:

17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Suffering is inevitable. But still we have a choice; to suffer for righteousness or; to suffer for evildoing. Peter tells us that suffering for the sake of righteousness is always better because with it comes the Lord’s blessing.

Reference: Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible, Tellingthe Truth by D.A. Carson, Apologetics, Oxford University

GOD DOES NOT NEED US, BUT WE DO

by: Bro. Malloy Cabahug

Christianity is not about tradition. It is not about rituals and ceremonies. It is not all about singing and dancing. It is not all about following the Ten Commandments. It is not all about doing good works and giving to charities. It is not a religion.

Being religious is performing works with the end in mind of pleasing God. Practices in a traditional church like offering flowers to an icon, which they think is a representation of a god. Some even pray by repeated chants on specified times of the day. All these works are futile, since the God we serve does not need any of these.

What then God needs? He just wants our heart. So if we really want to serve Him, we should be motivated by the thought that we are the one who needs Him.

From the time of the fall of man, when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the world has been cursed. We died and were separated from God.

From simple living, the world has evolved to become so complex. Since, then so many things have been created by man to make its task easier, but still those gadgets have provided them nowhere, but a more complex living. It has become so because all these things are not what we really need.

We need God.

As Paul addressed a very profound presentation of the God he serves, we may also learn who He is, as well as why we need a God.

His audience then were not too different with the people of this generation, you and me. The Stoic and Epicurean philosophers were representation of the post-modern paradigm. Similar to their philosophy, happiness can be achieved by self-discipline and moderate living.

Other religious Athenians and foreigners present at the time of Paul’s exhortation at Areopagus were also present everywhere today. We all encounter them every day.

Paul said that the God he served is...

…A GOD WHO IS NOT OF THIS WORLD, BUT HE IS EVERYTHING IN THIS WORLD AND MORE…(Acts 17:24-25)

God is the creator of the heaven and earth and He cannot be reduced to something that needs a temple for a dwelling. As created everything that we see, and everything that we have, how can he be in need?

If we can still feel our pulse, then thank Him for the life that we have. He is the author of our life.

…A GOD WHO IS SOVEREIGN, THE AUTHOR OF EVERYTHING IN HEAVEN AND EARTH…(Acts 17:26-27)

From one man, Adam to several nations thereafter, he authored all of these. Boundaries of nations, time and season, he set them all.

Ecclesiastes 3 aptly describes how the sovereignty of God has ordered all things in the world we live in. Having known this truth, shall we continue with our self-made happiness in this post modern philosophy?

…A GOD WHO IS ALIVE, WHOM WE SHOULD EEK AND WORSHIP THAT WE WILL LIVE…(Acts 17:28-29)

He can see us. He is not made of precious stone, metal or wood. He is alive. He breathed life to us.

As we seek and worship Him, he will bless us in return. Let us seek and worship him through prayer and devotional, giving our tithes and offerings, sharing the word, and living a life beyond reproach. All these things, done wholeheartedly will be rewarded by Him in due time as we are serving a God who is alive.

The grand plan of the Lord continues until the second coming of the Jesus as the righteous Judge. That date He has already fixed, yet no one exactly knows when. He only knows that time.

As we wait that time, let us strive to continue to live a righteous life. For those are still living in sin, this the high time to reflect and on our sinfulness and repent. Ask God for forgiveness and make right the way you live.

As a message to everyone, believer or not, God does not need us or our offering of material things or service. He needs our heart’s allegiance to Him only.

How Can Jesus Be Amazed (Matthew 8:5-14) by: Bro. Ezekiel Panela

Below is the list of the 10 TopExtraordinary Children in the World.

1.      Kim Ung-Yong: Attended University at age 4, Ph.D atage 15; world’s highest IQ

2.      Gregory Smith: Nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize atage 12

3.      Akrit Jaswal: The Seven Year-Old Surgeon

4.      Cleopatra Stratan: a 3 year old singer who earns 1000€per song

5.      Aelita Andre: The 2-year-old artist who showed herpaintings in a famous Gallery

6.      Saul Aaron Kripke: Invited to apply for a teachingpost at Harvard while still in high school

7.      Michael Kevin Kearney: earned his first degree at age10 and became a reality show Millionaire

8.      Fabiano Luigi Caruana: a chess prodigy who became theyoungest Grandmaster at age 14

9.      Willie Mosconi: played professional Billiards at age 6

10.  Elaina Smith: youngest agony aunt aged 7

 These young prodigies have amazed the worldwith their extraordinary talents and skills far beyond their age. How we wishedwe could amaze our families and friends if we were born the same way as theywere. Yet we really don’t need to be super geniuses to amaze God.  All we have to do is to follow the example ofone gentile Roman Centurion who, in Jesus’ time, demonstrated such faith thatJesus Himself marvelled. Three things we must do that will amaze Jesus as thissoldier did.

1. AcknowledgeJesus is Lord

Matthew 8: NIV 
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, acenturion came to him, asking for help. 6 Lord, he said, "myservant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."

 He was a Roman military officer,corresponding to our captain. All Palestine was under Roman military governmentat this time, with headquarters at Cæsarea, and soldiers in every leading town.This centurion probably commanded the company stationed at Capernaum. In spiteof his rank, he acknowledged Jesus, a Jew, as Lord. The word Lord in the Greek means “supreme in authority.”  Jesus is Lord - meaning that He is the SupremeRuler over ALL!

Why do we need to acknowledge Jesus in our lives?


Matthew10:32 
"Whoeveracknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father inheaven.

 ·        It means we are dependent onHim.
·        It means that we are willing tosubmit to Him.  (what He wants in ourlives)
·        It means humbling ourselvesbefore the Lord. (We accept that we cannot do anything without Him)

 8  The centurion replied, "Lord, I do notdeserve to have you come under my roof. 


 This humility was partly due to hisconsciousness that he was a Gentile. Rigid Jews did not hold social intercoursewith Gentiles, and the centurion may have supposed that so holy a Jewishteacher as Jesus would hesitate to come under his roof. Whether we recognize it or not, we indeed areall ruled by someone or something. The Lord or Master of our lives is theperson or power we give our lives over to and submit to in a full way.

We can beruled by many different things -- such as our unruly passions (such as rage,lust, envy, pride, hatred, etc.), the love of money, alcohol, drugs,possessions, etc. Careers, positions.

Sometimes weare telling in ourselves we are not like that, but check yourselves carefully.If these things are above God, think carefully.

 Only one Lordcan truly set us free to love and to be loved as God intended from thebeginning. When we acknowledge that Jesus is Lord we invite Him to be theMaster of our heart and the Ruler of our thoughts and actions, relationshipsand home, and all that we do and say.


2.Acknowledge Jesus is our Savior

7  Jesus saidto him, "I will go and heal him." 

How can I sayJesus is a Savior? Why do people need to Acknowledge Jesus as our Savior? Jesusis our God:  "I and the Father areone" (John 10:30). People need to acknowledge Jesus because He is the Sonof God, the only Son of God and He loved us enough to die for us. Jesus claimednot only to be God's Son, but also to be one with God (equal to God): Therefore,if we know Jesus, we know God also. The more deeply we know Jesus, the moredeeply we know God the Father because Jesus reveals to us who the Father is.


John14:6 (NIV)
 6Jesus answered, “I am the way andthe truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except throughme. 

 Jesus said:

Luke10:22
"Allthings have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son isexcept the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and thoseto whom the Son chooses to reveal him”


Did you know that it is God’s will for you to havelong life?

Psalm 91:16 NIV         With long life will Isatisfy him and show him my salvation."

Proverbs 10:27 NIV    The fear of the LORD adds lengthto life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

Proverbs 3:1-2 NIV    My son, do not forget myteaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2  for they willprolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

 Jesus heals sickness, demonpossessed, blind, lame, broken hearted & even raising up the dead. He isthe greatest Doctor. And He is our only Savior. WithoutJesus we will die! That’s why we should acknowledge Jesus as our Savior.


3. Absolute Faith in Jesus Christ

Matthew 8:8-13 NIV 
The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserveto have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will behealed.  9 For I myself am aman under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and hegoes; and that one, ‘Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' andhe does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished andsaid to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not foundanyone in Israel with such great faith.  11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will taketheir places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom ofheaven.  12 But the subjectsof the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will beweeping and gnashing of teeth."  13Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as youbelieved it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

 Just Say the Word. "Just say the word"is the idea, and "my servant will be healed." Not even Martha (John 11:21)thought that Jesus could have saved her brother Lazarus without going to Him.His faith was great. The Centurion did not doubt the power of Jesus. He hadabsolute faith in Jesus.


James 1:5-8 NIV 
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, whogives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given tohim.  6  But when he asks, he must believe and notdoubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by thewind.  7  That man should not think he will receiveanything from the Lord;  8  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all hedoes.


Did the Healing depend on the Centurion’s Faith?

Yes,it did.


13  Then Jesussaid to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed itwould." And his servant was healed at that very hour. 

 Lack of faith (unbelief) hinders the power of God …

 Mat 13:58    -   Andhe did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Faith is vital to please God…

 Heb 11:6  
And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewardsthose who earnestly seek him.

 Martin Luthereven once said, “God our Father has made all things depend on faith so thatwhoever has faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith willhave nothing.”

 Romans 1:17 NIV 
For in the gospel a righteousness from God isrevealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it iswritten: "The righteous will live by faith."


How Can Jesus Be Amazed?

1.       Acknowledge Jesus is Lord

2.       Acknowledge Jesus is Saviour

3.       Absolute Faith in Jesus Christ

CONCLUSION:

 Romans 10:9  
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus isLord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, youwill be saved. 

 Not only did physical healing happen here inthis passage (Matthew 8:5-14) but, I believe that the Centurion wassaved, because He confessed that Jesus is Lord, He believed, because he showedhis faith in Jesus Christ as well as his servant.

How do we knowthat we lack faith? There is this story of a man who fell off a cliff, butmanaged to grab a tree limb on the way down. The following conversation ensued:

 "Is anyone up there?"
"I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe Me?"
"Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can't hang on muchlonger."
"That's all right; if you really believe you have nothing to worry about.I will save you. Just let go of the branch."
A moment of pause, then: "Is anyone else up there?"                                                
 from Bits & Pieces, June 24, 1993, p. 3. 


Remember,even if you don’t see how things could ever work out, God does. JustAcknowledge Him as our Lord & Savior, and have faith that He is workingbehind the scene of our lives. From the day that we accept Jesus in our life,remember that it is everlasting commitment, not only on that day but we shouldacknowledge Jesus is our Lord in everyday & every area of our life. Is the LordJesus the true Master and King of your heart and do you give Him free reign inevery area of your life?

We should know that we should seek wisdom first from Jesus our God for anything becauseHe knows everything & anything. He can save us from eternal death, He can heal us. He can restore us. He can comfort us. He can do anything more than we imagine or more than we can ever think of.

 And lastly,brothers & sisters, we should not only continue in our faith in our LordJesus Christ, we should also act on our faith. Not only by our lips but we should put our faith into action.  Weshould not doubt in the power of Jesus Christ.

 Are we followers of Jesus? As a follower of Jesus or as His disciple, remember these 3things that amazed Jesus: Acknowledge Him that He is Lord, He is our Saviour& have faith in His Absolute Power.