On Thursday we were talking about when one of the apostles was called, and when the Lord calls, it's impossible not to follow Him when His Word touches your heart. This person got up from his table and followed Him. The Lord told him, "Follow me," and he got up from where he was and followed the Lord. The Word says he left everything and followed the Lord Jesus. But you know, this person left everything and started spending time with Christ. It wasn't like they were going to go and immediately start working. Jesus called him to come and stay with Him for a while. He had to leave everything he was doing and go live with the Lord Jesus for a time. Do you know why? One of the reasons was to erase and reprogram everything he had previously learned.

Matthew, whom we were talking about, was a Jew. He knew the law and the religious leaders of that time. But Jesus called the disciples to live with Him because they needed to see, they needed to learn not just the Word of God, but something new - a different way of living. Jesus didn't invite them to synagogue services, He didn't invite them to discipleship meetings. Jesus invited them to live as He lived and to learn from His life, not just from His teachings; how He prayed, how He walked, how He treated people. That's what Jesus taught them; that's why he took them with Him, so they could learn to live as He lived. Sadly, today the church has forgotten that. The church now wants to look just like the world, right?

The church wants to surrender to the trends of the world. The church is becoming more and more like the world and less and less like Christ. We want to be like artists, like soccer players, like actors, and even like christian artists. We forget that the Word of God teaches us that we have a mandate, and that is to be like Christ Jesus. It is to follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus. That is our mandate, that is our duty. Ah, brothers and sisters, we have become so comfortable with the schedules, with the meetings. Church has become a habit, it has simply become a way of doing things. We have become comfortable coming to the meetings. We have become comfortable with the nice rooms and the good music, with all those things. And we have forgotten the most important thing. People now go to church for entertainment, not for growth. If the pastor or the preacher doesn't make them laugh, then it's not good. If the preacher bores them, if he doesn't motivate them that day, then it wasn't good. We no longer go for personal growth. We have forgotten that being a Christian is not about attending a service. Because the word Christian means follower of Christ. That's what it means to be a Christian, to follow the example of Jesus Christ. So, we were talking on Thursday about those who want to follow Jesus Christ and it's a mandate for us.

The Bible says it in several verses. And don't look it up because they're right here. I'm going to quote a couple of verses quickly; they're right here in front of you. 1 Corinthians chapter 11, verse 1 says, "Follow my example." It's talking about the Apostle Paul, "Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ." It's a command in the Bible, "just as I follow the example of Christ." Romans 15:5 says, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." John 13:15. Jesus speaks here and tells the disciples, "I have set you an example, so that you may do as I have done for you." Christianity isn't about worship, meetings, or music, but about following the example of Christ. Church, as the body of Christ, we must reflect Him here on earth until He comes. The purpose of the church is to continue the mission of Christ. If we want to be like Him, we must know Him. We can't say we're going to imitate Christ if we don't know Him. So I want to quickly share with you some of His characteristics—just a few, because we wouldn't have time to describe our Lord in full—but some of the most important things from the example that Christ left us. John 13—excuse me, you can look that one up.

“Christianity isn't about worship, meetings, or music, but about following the example of Christ.”

John 13, chapter 34. John 13, chapters 34-35. “A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” What can we see here of our Lord Jesus Christ? Unconditional love. That characterizes the Lord. Jesus loved us all and the church must reflect that love. No matter the people’s condition, we must love one another. Jesus loved us, even as sinners. He loved those who rejected Him. On the cross, He prayed for them. Brothers and sisters, there can be no divisions in the church. There can be no indifference in the church because we are here for the sake of God. He did not reject us. He loved us even though we were sinful. How could anyone dare to reject someone, whether in a church, on the street, or anywhere else, for what they do? His Word says, "They will know that they are my disciples because they love one another." Not because they attend church or because they fellowship together, but because they love me. Love is what should characterize the church of Christ.

That's why we spoke on Thursday about Jesus sitting with those sinners. He sat with them not because he wanted to eat and not because He simply wanted to be with wicked people. He had a purpose, which was for them to repent. We have forgotten what it means to have mercy. We have forgotten that someone once had mercy and loved us. He shared the Word with us and that Word is for everyone. There's something that happens in the church. That is that many times, as we were talking on Thursday, we run the risk of wanting to separate ourselves from the world because we don't fully understand the Gospel. Christians must separate themselves from sin. It's impossible for us to leave the world. We are the light of the world. Jesus was there to preach to those sinners, so that they would repent. I can't just be with my own people, just with my friends, my Christian friends. Because even wicked people do that. Even atheists, anyone in the world, only associate with the people they like and have something in common. That's not love. The love of Christ was everywhere. He showed it not only in the temple but everywhere He went. The great preacher said we must love our neighbor as ourselves. That is the commandment, remember. And it's a little strange because Jesus said, "This new commandment I give you: Love one another." It's not a new commandment because it's the second commandment: to love your neighbor as yourself. But Jesus goes further now because now He says that we must love the body of Christ. There's a difference here: I must love my neighbor as myself, but those who are here, I have to love us as He loved me.

And that's much more than I love myself. The love of Christ that He showed me is greater than that. So that commandment is even greater than loving your neighbor as yourself. He says, don't love him as yourself. Love him as I loved you, as Christ loved us. Do we understand that verse? Are we understanding that? This is a greater love. And where are we in that? What are we doing? We can't see it, identify with it, and say, Lord, of course I follow you. Of course I want to follow you, Lord. Then Jesus says, so love your brothers and sisters as I have loved you. Love them. What else characterized Jesus? Ah, forgiveness. Forgiveness and reconciliation. Luke chapter 23, verse 34. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” When did Jesus say this? And whom did He have to forgive? Who was He asking forgiveness for? For those who crucified Him. People give me dirty looks in the street now. Enemies for life. Should I never speak to them again? Do they give me dirty looks? Oh, watch out - the Father forgave those who nailed Jesus to the cross. Jesus even forgave those who were crucifying him. The church should be a place where forgiveness is practiced continually. Do you know why we must do this? Because we are going to continually offend one another. Not on purpose but it's going to happen.

And not just here, but out there too. Forgiveness must be practiced continually. We can't be people who hold grudges. A Christian cannot allow hatred, resentment, or unforgiveness to fester in their heart. They cannot allow it. Because that's not what it means to be a Christian. Because Christ forgave those who offended Him. He forgave those who were humiliating Him. If I say I am a Christian, that I follow Christ's example, then I forgive those who offend me and don't hold anything in my heart for those who have hurt me. Let's remember that Paul, in Romans chapter 8, which we've been studying, says around verse twenty-something, "You were called to be transformed into the image of Christ Jesus." That's what you were called to be: to be transformed into the image of Christ. I say amen, amen to that, because I can't forgive, because I can't forget my past, because I'm proud, because I'm resentful. But the Word says that He called me to be transformed, of course, so that the old me would be gone. The word "transformed" in the New Testament is the word "metamorphosis," like the butterfly that was a worm, a caterpillar. So there are a couple of worms here that need to be transformed, and as Peter said, I’m the first of them. Absolutely. I can’t do these things but Christ can! That's what the Lord has called us to. It's important to understand who we are and what the Word wants to lead us to, to be transformed like Him. That's the goal! And what is He like? The one who forgives. The one who reconciles. The church isn't called only to participate in worship; it's called to forgive. That is the church of Christ.

"That's what you were called to be: to be transformed into the image of Christ."

What else characterized Christ? Mark chapter 10, verse 43: "But it shall not be so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Do you know this passage? It's because some disciples were arguing about who was going to be the greatest and most important among them. Who is the most important disciple here? Who is the most important in the church? Who is the most important in life? And Jesus gives them an incredible word. You know, people today want to hear a motivational message in church. They want to be told, brothers and sisters, you can do it! If you dream it, if you strive for it, you can achieve it. Go for it, you can do it. That's the message people want to hear. And people spend most of their lives pushing themselves to study, to get a degree. Right? There are people who say, "You brothers, you don't see him again until you get a good job." Because that's when they feel good, when they study to get a good job. They think they've accomplished something in life when they reach a high position. Then when they get to their position the man says, "I did it. For now, I did it." But Jesus comes along, and knowing the human heart, He says to His disciples, "You know what? I'm going to tell you something even more important than anything you’ve ever heard. The greatest, the most important person, is the one who serves others."

That's the most important person in the Kingdom of God. The one who serves. Not even the Son of Man came to be served. Not even Christ Himself came to be served. He came to serve. What a message, right? So innovative. So groundbreaking for that time. And serving isn't just what we do in church. There are many things to do in church. Someday we'll take the time to list all the things that need to be done in church. But remember, serving God isn't just in church because there are many people throughout the church, there are people who want to serve in church, but at home they wouldn't lift a finger. Service is something from the heart. There are many who want to serve God, but only if someone is watching. But when we're alone, when no one is there, we're different people. But service is in the heart. Lord, what do you want? Brothers and sisters, someone needs something. The church must be characterized by service to others, by service to our neighbor, and not just within the church, although much is done here. Many of you work incredibly hard here and have done so for many years, but service is key. Christ came to serve everyone, regardless of what they later did to Him, but no one could say that Christ didn’t serve them. This is one of the reasons He wasn't accepted by the religious leaders of His time; He wasn't a conventional leader. He wasn't a warrior, He didn't carry a sword, He didn't go around giving orders to people. He came to serve; He came to serve us.

He arrived with humility to serve. Humility and service go hand in hand, because you can serve without being humble. That's dangerous, because the one who serves without humility is looking to be seen and is seeking recognition from men. But the one who serves with humility does it for the Lord. Philippians chapter 2 says that our attitude should be like that of Christ, who humbled Himself, being God, yet taking the form of a servant. He became a servant for us; He humbled Himself. The humility that should characterize the church is that which recognizes its condition before God, like Abraham at the beginning. When we forget who we are, we have lost the purpose of being here. If you forget who you are, church, you're done for. If you forget why you're sitting there, if you forget the mercy of God and our condition before God, we have lost our way and the purpose of the church. But our humility lies in recognizing who we are before God, in recognizing our dependence on God for everything, and also in valuing other people above ourselves. It doesn't matter. Jesus said that among the disciples there was a doctor. There were fishermen. There were merchants. There was Matthew, who had money. It doesn't matter. That doesn't matter. Here, that doesn't matter. The greatest is the one who serves and He Himself set the example. He Himself served them. He Himself washed the feet of His disciples. And that's why He says, "As I have done, you must also do. Yes, I am the teacher and I've done it. Follow my example.”

Who do we think we are? What have we come to believe about ourselves? We are the most fortunate people in the world that God's grace has brought us here. It's time for the Lord to open our eyes, our hearts, and for us to understand that this is why God has brought us to this place: to serve others, to help them, just as Christ did. Christ's mission is the mission of the church. What was Christ's mission that He left for His church to follow? These were characteristics of Christ. Now let's see what Christ did to know what we have to do. Luke chapter 4 verse 43, “But He said to them, ‘I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." Jesus himself is saying this is my mission: to preach the gospel. And as we already know, the verse in Matthew 28 says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." So what is the task of the church? To preach the gospel. What is your task? To preach the gospel. What is my task? Say, "What is my task?" To preach the gospel.

"So what is the task of the church? To preach the gospel."

Just as Jesus preached, the church has the mandate to preach and make disciples of all nations, the verse says. But here's where the calling comes in: when Jesus called the twelve, they followed Him, left everything behind, and entered into that discipleship process. It's quite strange that in our society today, people can't wait to get something new or do something new and to post it on social media. Anything they buy, any place they visit, what they are eating, even if the food is cold and unappetizing, but they have to take a picture. We can't wait to tell the world what we're doing. Everyone has to know what we're doing, what we're eating, what we're buying. That's our society. But strangely, when it comes to the Gospel, we're secret agents. Nobody notices. Nobody knows. I was talking to some brothers recently, and I was telling them that at all those Christian concerts they go to, they're full of young people who are Christians. But at their universities, nobody knows they're Christians. Their classmates don't know. Those who go to the concerts, their coworkers don't know they're Christians. They've never preached the gospel there. So I'm not telling you not to take pictures, or not to post those things, I don't care. The point is, we have been called to preach the gospel and not just from a pulpit. Jesus was never on a pulpit preaching the gospel. He went to the synagogue, but He also went out into the streets and sent His disciples to preach. They knew Him through His testimony.

Are we doing that? Are you doing that? I want you to understand something, church. And this isn't a scolding. What does it look like here? What do you see? As I told the people, I love being here. We should be here because we have to be here to learn the word. Because we have to grow. Because we have to be renewed. And when we come to the house of the Lord, we are renewed again. But this isn't Christianity. Being a Christian isn't sitting here year after year after year. That's not it. It’s about the light that we show. Jesus told the people, "You are the light of the world, and a light is not hidden under a table.” You are the light of Christ. You reflect the light of Christ. The church reflects the light of Christ. That is Christianity. That is a Christian. A follower of Christ. That's why Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God.” Jesus said to the disciples, "Whoever is ashamed of me before others, I will be ashamed of them. But everyone who acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge him before my Father.” I have been here for a long time, and that doesn't make me more Christian or less Christian.

Jesus presented Himself as the light of the world, and the church must reflect that light, but not only within the church. Don't be deceived by the enemy. Don't be deceived by false doctrines. Don't be deceived by your own thoughts. No, you don’t have to be a fanatic, or whatever term you want to use. If the Word called us to be like Christ, how would we describe Christ? As a fanatic? I don't think so, right? This isn't about being an active church or not, about going out now and every Sunday and preaching and evangelizing everyone. It's not about those things. It's about being a Christian and doing what the Father has commanded us to do. Brother, time is very short. Time is very short. The Lord came to heal the sick and to free the oppressed. This is part of the mission of Christ and of the church as well. Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” That's what Christ came for, to heal. Jesus healed the bodies and souls from oppression, from sin, and I'm sure that many of us here could testify to that. Amen.

The Lord has set us free. That the Lord has healed us. Amen. And I know that the Lord continues to do it and He will continue to do it. That's why we shouldn't stop praying. Many people don't like to pray. But the church is called to heal, to liberate, and all of that begins in prayer. It all starts with prayer because I am called to heal as part of the body of Christ. The church is like a hospital. This place is a hospital where the sick come and need to be healed in their hearts and in their minds. How many of us have come to this place mentally ill? That’s a strong statement but it's true. It's true. People come with all sorts of thoughts and it will continue that way. Those will keep coming that are sick at heart, full of bitterness, of hatred, of resentment, of loneliness. But Christ has healed many of us from these things. Amen. And He will continue to do so. And how is that done? By praying. That's why my job is not just to worship or sing a song. My job is to proclaim freedom today.

That's what we were singing at the beginning. The Lord is in this place. To heal. To liberate. To break up the work of the enemy. To break what the enemy is doing, that's why music is so important. These are declarations, these are prayers. It's not the music itself, it's the hearts of those who keep themselves pure. It’s those who keep themselves pure throughout the week, all the time, to bring an offering to the Lord and to tell Him, "Lord, here is my life, do what You have to do because You have to heal and release the captives," so I keep myself pure, I consecrate myself to the Lord. I can't do anything, but I'm going to pray, and I'm going to pray believing. Because I believe, I keep myself pure, Lord, that's my job and the job of the church.

Jesus had a clear purpose, Paul followed Him and invited us to imitate him. When someone is on a diet, they don't stop eating for pleasure, because food is delicious. But who hasn't tried to break free from those chains of craving sweets? The one who is openly on a diet doesn't do it for pleasure. They do it because they know they need to. They are abstaining from something for a greater good. That's how the Christian is. I'm not telling you that you won't have difficulties or that you won't have desires. That your flesh isn't going to tell you, "Look, look, like this, over there, over here," that you won't feel it. Of course, but then you decide not to. Because I'm saving myself for you, Lord. For what? So that you can do something through me, Lord. So that when I touch there, then the demons that are here in front of us can leave. That's why. So that when we speak, all the lies that we brought to this place will leave our minds. My job isn't just to preach. It is to keep myself pure so that those lies can be broken in our hearts. That's the power of the Word of the Lord, and the church is called to that. But it's not just the one who preaches here, it's not just the one who worships there, it's not just that person who should keep themselves pure. You must keep yourself pure too because we need to be for our children. You have battles in your homes, and for you to be able to lay hands on your children and for something to happen, you have to protect yourself as well. Isn't it often us who open the doors to the enemy in our homes? We ourselves open the door to the enemy in our homes with the things we do, with the things we see. It's not enough to send our children to Sunday school; they have to see Christ in our lives.

That's why Jesus took them and took them to live with Him. "Look how I live," he said to them, "We study the law of Moses." Look at how I live. That's the gospel, people have to see and say, "That is the gospel” and it all begins at home, in our home. Let's not stop praying because nothing will move without prayer. Pray for your family, pray for the church. Jesus left us a clear example of how to live according to God's will, and the church must teach and practice these principles. John chapter 14, verses 15 to 18: "If you love me, you will obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." I'm not going to leave you orphans, wow, we must live as Christ lived. I don't know if you've wondered in these moments, "How can I do that? I can’t even live as my mother told me." Jesus knew this, and He told His disciples, "You must follow my example," and Peter said, "Yes, I will give my life for you," and hours later they were denying Him, but at the end, they gave their lives for Him.

They imitated the life of Christ because they gave their lives and their bodies for the gospel. They imitated Him completely. How did they do it? It says there, "I will not leave you orphans." The Holy Spirit will come to you. He will accompany you. He is the one who will guide you. He is the one who will strengthen you, He is the one who will guide you on this path. We need the help of the Holy Spirit. I don't know if you've ever tried it alone, saying, "Yes, I'm a Christian and I'm going to do this," and you try, and you try, and after some time you say, "Why doesn't this work? I don't seem to be getting anywhere. I'm not meeting expectations." It’s because you have to be filled with the Holy Spirit. You have to have the humility to say, "Lord, I can't do it, but if You guide me I can. I don't know what to say to my children, but you do. Fill me with Your presence. I don't know how to follow this path, Lord."

So what are we talking about today? I want to quickly summarize the characteristics of Christ. If we are going to follow Him, we have to know Him. We’re talking about Christ. His unconditional love, forgiveness, and reconciliation– that's what characterizes Him. Service and humility—these should be characteristics that we, as Christians, should seek. In the work of the church, we should be a light, preaching and bringing healing and freedom with the Word of God. Many years ago, I wanted to play a musical instrument. When I learned a little about music, I wanted to dedicate myself to it professionally. I believed that God had called me to play an instrument because I loved it. But you know, over time I realized that God didn't call me to do that. It's not that we won’t do what we like or what we enjoy in the church, because I still enjoy playing. But that's not the point. God didn't call me to play an instrument; God called me to be like His Son. And not only me, but you too, to be like His Son.

"If we are going to follow Him, we have to know Him."

Everything else we do is because God gave us different gifts and talents. God gave you a gift and a talent too. If you don't know what it is yet, look for it. Pray and ask the Lord! He will give it to you because the Word says that this is for the edification of the church. The church has to grow and rise up to go and preach the gospel. That is our job: to preach the gospel, to be like Christ, to follow the example of Christ Jesus. It's not about receiving theological training; it's about the passion for the gospel, the passion for preaching, and the passion for those who are lost. I've already done all that formal training. I'm not saying whether it's useful or not; everyone will find their own path. I have studied the Bible formally. I have educated myself in many things. I know many people and I'm sure you do too, who didn't go to a Bible school or a seminary or a theological university. However, from the moment they met Christ, they were preaching to everyone. Do you remember those older people you met on the street who were ready to give you a word? Right? Because it's not only about the “works” you do. It's about who you are and what you have inside your heart. The flame, as the prophet said, there's a flame inside me that I can't put out. I don't want to speak, but it’s the fire of God that consumes me. It's the love of God. For some, that moment comes immediately, and for others, it takes a little longer.

The truth is, my heart gives thanks to God because I know He is calling us to something new. To leave, I won't say the community, but to leave the lie. It's a lie to believe that I'm a Christian just because I'm here. I am a Christian because I'm a follower of Christ, because every day I wake up and say, "Lord, I want to be like You, I want to know You.” That's why we sing that song, "I want to know You, Lord," because the more I know You, the more I want to be like You and the more I want to resemble You. Today the world doesn't believe that Christ will return. We go out into the streets to preach, "Christ is coming!" And do you know why people don't believe? Because Christians don't live as if they believe He's going to return. It's like you go to someone and say, "Buy this lottery ticket that came out today, this one is going to win.” And then they ask, "How many did you buy?" And you say, "I didn't buy any." So what's the point? Do you understand? We're offering something that we ourselves don't want, that we don't believe in.

The one who believes that He will return prepares Himself. And He is waiting for His return every day. He is waiting for Him every day. I know there is a new movement happening and the Lord is stirring something up. Let's pray that the Lord continues to call all hearts and renew those who are in this race. There are some who have grown weary, but the Word of the Lord says, "I renew those who are weary. Come, all you who are burdened and weary. Here you will find rest. Here you will be renewed so that you can continue on." The church is the instrument through which the message of Christ reaches the world. You are an instrument of God and the hands of God. We have been called to one thing: to follow the example of Christ Jesus. Amen. How many believe that this is the gospel? Amen.