By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
SABBATH
THEME: CHRIST IN YOU: A MESSAGE TO THE WORLD“
SCRIPTURE: John 17:23
“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”
REFLECTIONS
What legacy do we leave behind when we have spent our days on earth and departed? Presently, many people consider bequeathing material things to our families and loved ones. We want them to benefit from our toils. But all these things we leave behind often do not end the way we would have expected. What is more critical is what the Christian leaves behind as a legacy. Christ showed the way—a lasting relationship!
To do what is right, we need to emulate Jesus Christ and the legacy He left behind. Jesus pursued a life-long relationship with humanity. He sought to maintain the relationship even after He had ascended to His Father. When He prayed for all believers, He requested the Father for unity and interdependence – social and spiritual support for one another. He desired that the relationship between the Godhead would be equally exhibited among His followers. He desired to leave a legacy of unity, respect, commitment, and love.
The Lord Jesus expected His followers to influence the world to affirm His gospel. This influence could be achieved as Christ dwells in us. His prayer was: “[22]And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: [23]I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” This prayer underscores that we are His representatives, ambassadors, and witnesses before the world. Our lives must show our relationship with Him and for the world to acknowledge that we are Christ’s.
In John 15:4-5,7, Jesus entreated: “[4]Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. [5]“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. [7]If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” What lasting legacy would you leave behind? Remember Colossians 1:27, “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” May your life be a testimony to the world about who Jesus is.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 281 – “I Gave My Life For Thee”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for salvation through Jesus Christ; thank Him for the hope of eternal life; pray to be a missionary to those in darkness;
– Pray for your family and your needs;
– Pray for members in your church, neighborhood, work colleagues, and friends;
– Pray for your Church’s evangelistic drive, the nation’s peace, and those who have asked you to pray for them.
