Colossians 1:9 & 10, Joshua 1:8

If you and I are to be effective as we Light the City, we must work on increasing our knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. 

Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Colossians 1:10 to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

On Sunday, Dr Lwesya emphasized that:-

• Your effectiveness as a Christ-Devoted follower is based on your increasing understanding of the power of Light in your life.
• Your level of effectiveness is proportional to the Light that you carry.
• The Light you carry is demonstrated in the KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD that you have.

On Monday, Elder Chimango Mlowoka encouraged us to decisively deal with ignorance and said:

• We have no excuse for ignorance.
• We can not afford ignorance because the devil takes advantage of our ignorance.
• We can’t goof in this year because of lack of knowledge.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge (my people are perishing because of Ignorance). "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.

Perish / Destroyed means dying in very harsh conditions. Ignorance results into death (physical & spiritual) in harsh conditions. This is happening every day to humanity. The devil uses ignorance to punish the ignorant.

Who do People Say I am? Who do you say I am?

Jesus ran an identity test. He was aware that His disciples and the people did not know.

Mathew 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

Mathew 16:14 They replied, "Some say John the BapSst; others say Elijah; and sSll others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

Mathew 16:15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Mathew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Mathew 16:17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

Messiah:

Messiah, (from Hebrew mashiaḥ, “anointed”), in Judaism, the expected King of the line of David who would deliver Israel from foreign bondage and restore the glories of its golden age.

At this time, the Roman Empire was ruling the whole world. Israel was one of the colonies under the Roman Empire whose Governor was Pilate. The Roman King was Ceaser based in Italy, Rome.

So, Pilate, the Roman Governor in Israel, had a discussion with Jesus. Jesus told Pilate that His Kingdom was from Heaven.

John 18:33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

John 18:36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place."

Who Are you?

I am a son/daughter of God. I am a child of God. I am a King.

Paul in Romans 8 gives compelling facts of who we are when he makes comparison of being led by the flesh and  led by the Spirit:

Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adopSon to sonship. And by him we cry, Father."

Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself tesSfies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory

John 1:12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -

Where do you belong? Why Are you Here on Earth?

I am in the world, but I am not of this world

Psalms 115:16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind.

We are sent to be the light of the world. We must light every sector of the world. We are the yeast of the world and we must influence the dough from inside. You can’t influence from outside.

John 17:15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

John 17:18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

How do we Increase in Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom

We must seek the Lord. Pray for knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

Psalms 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.

Psalms 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Psalms 119:27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

Psalms 119:33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.

Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.

Psalms 119:35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.

Psalms 119:36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.

Psalms 119:37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Conclusion

Christ devoted followers must be equipped with knowledge and understanding of the Word of God to effectively Light the City. We must demonstrate the nature and character of Christ by ensuring that our deeds align with our words. We must always seek knowledge, understanding and wisdom (Joshua 1:8).