(Read Matthew 16:13-16 and Romans 8:28-30)
This morning continue our overarching series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter. Peter was a common man who went on to live an exceptional life. The exceptional part of his life did not come because the fisherman concocted an ingenious plan for success or because he grew his business into an empire. No, Peter went from ordinary to exceptional because he discovered his purpose.
While Jesus walked the earth He was without question a world-changer. That is not up for debate. However, sometimes believers fail to understand that once Jesus died He left us to continue what He started. Peter led a group of men and women who continued in the same footsteps of Jesus.
After Jesus died He went from only begotten to firstborn. Allow me to explain. Most people are familiar with John 3:16. In this verse we learn that Jesus was the “only begotten Son” of God. While Jesus walked the earth He was the only one of His kind. However, Jesus explained how a grain of wheat must fall into the ground and die if it is to reproduce. While the grain of wheat is alive, it remains alone. But if it goes into the ground and dies, its death produces life and it will give birth to a harvest. While Jesus was alive He was that single grain. He was the “only begotten” of the Father. However, after Jesus died He became that grain of wheat that went into the ground to reproduce.
In Paul’s letter to Rome the Apostle said, “We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan. God knew them before he made the world. And he decided that they would be like his Son. Then Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters.” Did you catch that? Through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection He went from only begotten to firstborn, from single to multiple, from one to many. And He chose Peter, a common fisherman, to lead the New Testament church. Not because Peter was qualified or because He earned it. Peter was called by grace. The same can be said of you.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- It’s been often said that God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called. That was certainly the case in the life of the Apostle Peter. The same holds true for me and I am sure it holds true for you. We don’t qualify, but Jesus qualified for us.
- Accepting God’s call and walking in your divine purpose will take you from ordinary to exceptional. You will go from living as a mere man to living JUST LIKE JESUS in the earth.
- Jesus was God in the flesh. He was the incarnation of God. You are part of the continuation of His incarnation. You are called to continue what He started.
- When Jesus died He became a seed. As a seed He went down into the ground to produce a harvest. You are part of that harvest.
- When Jesus started His ministry He was the “only begotten of the Father”. He was the only one operating like God in the earth. After His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus became “the firstborn of many brothers and sisters.” You are called to live JUST LIKE JESUS!
- John taught us to embrace the grace to live JUST LIKE JESUS. He said, “As He [Jesus] is, so are we in this world!” (1 John 4:17).
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. When I came to You I was common and ordinary. As much as I want to think I was different, I lived as a mere man. But You have called me to the exceptional, the uncommon, the extraordinary, the supernatural. I accept the call. I embrace the grace to be JUST LIKE JESUS! My single desire now is to fulfill my divine assignment before I die. I don’t want anything but what You want for me, and I will not stop until I accomplish all I was born to accomplish. I can’t accomplish my assignment on my own. I cannot do it with human strength. But You can do it through me, by Your grace, and for Your glory. So since You live in me Father, giving me the words and performing the work, I enter this day declaring what You have already decreed, “As Jesus is, so am I in this world!” I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
