'Purpose And Evidence Of The Indwelling Christ.'
John 17:23
a) I in them
b) And You are in Me,
c) That they may become
d) Perfectly one,
e) So that the World may know
f) That You sent Me
g) And loved them
h) Even as You loved Me.
(This QT teaches me the Purpose And Evidence Of The Indwelling Christ)
PRAYER: That we will understand the reason, purpose and evidence of The Indwelling Christ.
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'Why Do You Wait?'
Acts 22:16.
a) And now,
b) Why delay?
c) Get up
d) And be Baptized,
e) And wash away your sins
f) By calling on His Name.
(Because of this Second one I ask: Why Do You Wait?)
PRAYER: For the Lord to help us to get up, be Baptized and follow Him forever.
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Jesus Christ, in His Prayer to the Father here in John 17, really wanted the people of the World System to hear the Good News. This Good News brings the wonderful possibility of the indwelling Christ becoming a reality in their lives. "I in them and You in Me" becomes a reality through the Indwelling Christ.
We need to ask ourselves a question:-
"Is Christ dwelling in me?'
If we cannot answer this question in the affirmative, then it is really difficult for us to live in loving fellowship with other True Believers. The fellowship of the Church, as mentioned in Acts 2:42, is supposed to be the fellowship of True Believers of the Lord. Last night I heard the news of the departure to Heaven of a very precious elderly sister, she was already a widow, and her life was fully dedicated to the Lord in such an unselfish way. I was always refreshed when we visited her home for Fellowship.
When we meet such lovely people, people in whom Jesus Christ so obviously dwells, we are so Blessed, and are Blessed in each meeting. This is how the Body of Christ is meant to be. This is what Christ prays for His Body to be!
The Church is not supposed to be racialist, strongly-opinionated or political, the Church is supposed to be welcoming to strangers and long-lost friends. The Church is supposed to be the most accepting environment for anyone to be in. Mutually expressed and unselfish Love in the Church is a precious and powerful Gift for evangelism. The Gift of Hospitality in the Church is just as important as the Gift of Preaching or the Gift of Administration. It should be able to function very beautifully whether the Church has 30 members or 30,000!
A final point, I can only see one major emphasis in the varied and wonderful Ministry of Jesus as recorded in the Bible, it is loving. The Words: "Love one another as I have loved you" are powerful and significant Words that we should not forget. To be rejected, ignored or despised because of our nationality or race is never God's Will or Way.
