It has been a beautiful time of renewal of strength and re-orientation of life having been loaded with divine revelations on essential Christian principles (Ps.40:31; Pro.24:4; 4:18).
Today, we shall be examining another essential truth (Jn.8:32)
Topic: THE VALUE OF A VESSEL
Texts: Matt.10:24-31
The Lord Jesus whose earthly mission was to rescue mankind before ultimately going to the cross did this through breakage of the bands of wickedness upon helpless victims, and transmission of knowledge to empower disciples to dwell in the realm of the abundance of life (Jn.10:10b)
When speaking to His apostles who were chosen vessels of conveyance of the glorious gospel enjoined them not to fear mortal men, their words and weapons (Mk.10.25,28), because of the Omniscience of their able Employer (matt.10:29,30). He concluded with the truth that a disciple (God’s vessel) is worth more than a flock of birds.
In all facets of life, success is a function of knowledge i.e. knowledge is a cardinal determinant of the degree of success. In the spirit realm, it is the cardinal implement of warfare and instrument of productivity (Jn.8:32; Matt.8:8,16). The same holds in the physical realm (Pro.24:4).
The disciple of Christ or child of God must have sufficient knowledge in this age of exponential growth of knowledge, in order to successfully contend with the contemporary challenges and overcome (cp. Lk.16:8). The knowledge of one’s worth (value) will definitely change one’s perception of life and character especially at times of challenges (1Kgs.19:1-4; Job 3:23-26). One of the devil’s tactics against the believer is to STEAL THE IDENTITY; the ‘know’ or awareness of his identity (Rom.7:18; 8:28; 14:14; Phil.1:19; 4:12).
The believer is the Israel of now, being a prince of God as a joint-heir with Christ (impliedly Acts 10:24-35). The believer is greater than every Old Testament prophet and has unlimited access to God’s presence/court (Matt.11:11; Eph.2:4-6; Heb.4:15,16). As Israel is chosen and peculiar, so is he (1Pet.2:9). As Israel is precious and dear, so is he the apple of God’s eye (1Pet.2:9; Zech.2:8; Deut.32:!6).
Such a person should be conscious of the redemptive history (Rom.8:29-30) and so lives in the awareness that everything that comes his way is a divine messenger detailed to improve his life (Rom.8:28). Such awareness will eradicate fear, having come to know that God is not a waster.
Howbeit, the believer is not passive but active in the kingdom. He is a divine vessel, and is very valuable to God (Matt.10:30,31; Isa.44:1-4; 45:1-5; 49:5; Ps.118:17; Rom.8:31).
The Lord has need of you (cons. Lk.19:31; Jn.15:16; 20:21)