Called To BUILD
(The demand of Christ’s ministry)

• “Let us arise and build.” - Nehemiah
• A humongous task needs a humongous help.
• In order for every believer to build successfully, they need to build well.
• Well built ministries must be founded upon Christ alone.
• “ According to the grace of God given me, as a wise master builder,  I have laid the foundation, and another is building on it, but let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.” - I Corinthians 3:10
• How can we build well?
  
  • Upon this ROCK I will build my church… 

• I. HIS REAL IDENTITY (The person of Jesus Christ)
  • What we think about who Jesus is determines our eternal destiny.
  • It is impossible to be wrong in our understanding about Jesus and still be right with Him.
    • Jesus is less than God, but more than man. - INC
    • Jesus is a prophet who lived a sinless life. - Islam
    • Jesus is the spirit child produced by the heavenly couple. - LDS
    • Jesus is an avatar who helps people who are lost in their path. - Buddhism
    • Our knowledge about Jesus Christ will determine our eternal destination.
  • A. KNOW ME
    For some, he was John the Baptist and for others, He was an old prophet who rose from the grave.
    • It was Peter who was given the revelation about the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. His confession was a public declaration of his faith in Christ.
    • Behold the man, suffering in silence, bearing our shame. He was despised and rejected… - Isaiah
    • In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John
  • B. LISTEN TO ME
    Instead of enjoying such spiritual truth, the Lord instructed His disciples to keep that regard for themselves. 
    • “ And He strictly warned and commanded them not to tell this to anyone, saying: The Son of man must suffer many things  and be rejected by the elders, the chief priest, the scribes and be killed, and be raised for the third day.” - Luke 9: 21-22
    • The glory of Jesus Christ came after His periods of suffering.
    • The glory of the church will never precede our periods of difficulties.
• II. HIS DEMAND FOR SPIRITUALITY
  • How t be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
    • “ Then He said to them all, ‘ If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’ ” - Luke 9: 23
      Salvation is free, but discipleship is very costly.
      What does discipleship demand?
  • A. DENYING
    Self-denial is not something that we desire, for this world promotes self-assertion. When we deny ourselves, we are allowing Him in charge of everything.
    • What is the reason for this?
      
      • “ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” - Luke 9: 24
  • B. BEARING
    
    • Cross bearing must be interpreted in the context of the Romans. The activity carries the idea of surrender and sacrifice, but the bearing was modified by the word daily. 
    • The mandate for every follower is to die to self daily.
    • I am crucified with Christ, and I no longer live.
• III. HIS IDEA FOR ETERNITY
  • The demand for His kingdom 
    
    • “ But I tell you truly, there are some who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.” - Luke 9: 27
  • The event (transfiguration) points to the glory of His kingdom that will be unfolded in the future.
  • What is the purpose of the event?
    
    • - To authenticate the confession of Peter about the deity of Christ.
    • - To encourage Jesus while preparing to enter Jerusalem.
  • What does His kingdom demand?
    • A. LIVE LIKE CHRIST
      The transfiguration reveals that the believers too can experience our own “transfiguration” on a daily basis. Theologically, we call this as sanctification. 
      • sanctification
        The process by which believers are  being transform into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ so that we cannot conform to the pattern of this world. 
      • Our goal as disciples is to be like Him.
        
        • “ I want to know Him…and to partake in His suffering… becoming like Him even in death.”
    • B. LIVE CONSISTENTLY
      The transfiguration reveals that every believers too can experience our own “transfiguration” on a daily basis. Theologically, we call this as sanctification.
      • The event (transfiguration) reveals the glory to come, but His disciples were oblivious that suffering is a vital part in establishing His kingdom.
      • The privileged disciples were found sleeping instead of praying.
      • Peter suggested to just hold on to that glory that they saw.
      • A slumbering church will never developed a solid regard for His divine will. 

 Enjoy building His kingdom.