Matthew 19:27-30 Jesus has just made it clear that following Him has a cost up to and including a believer's life. The rich young ruler has dejectedly walked away after being told that the one thing he lacked to obtain eternal life was apparently the one thing he wasn't willing to give up. His wealth. Think about it. Sam Walton was one of the wealthiest men in history, Truett Cathy, Jackie O'Nassis, Queen Elizabeth all were extremely wealthy. All had comforts in life that now mean nothing. All of them take their place behind beggars and those who were believers in extreme poverty. Jesus makes the point that the rich seem to believe their wealth gives them extra privilege or consideration at judgement because there's more they have to surrender. And again Peter makes sure to say the entirely wrong thing. So he looks around seeing the rich man sadly leaving Jesus, perhaps because he had much he could afford that he refused to surrender. So Peter says, Lord, What's in it for us? The ruler likely had houses, funds he would not run out of. So Peter considers what he's left for Jesus. He left his home, his career, and he's been following Jesus for a few years, now. And he wants to know what his reward is for doing so. Jesus has already informed them on more than one occasion that they would follow Him in death. And each one died a martyrs death, executed by government or religious leaders beginning with James, brother of John and ending with John, James’ brother. These brother's deaths formed the bookends of apostles’ deaths with James being first and John the last. Jesus says yes, you will all be awarded, but it comes at a cost. The cost is going to be the terrible suffering they would experience prior to death. Not that their suffering earned them anything, the way the rich believed their wealth earned them something. But that their allegiance with Jesus and relationship with Him gave them eternal life. In particular, Jesus promises the apostles specifically that they will be on thrones judging Israel. Perhaps this is meant as a small mercy for the apostles whose last living moments will be being judged by those will end up ‘judged’ by them. Not that the apostles will get input on the eternal judgment of these individuals but that they will judge Israel as a whole including these Jewish leaders who are currently burning in torment awaiting eternity. This really should be the perspective we hold to. The rich young ruler, do you think he regrets his choice now? After 2,000 some odd years of suffering where time has no meaning and no end? How important do you think he considers his summer home now? His retirement? His first century equivalent to a Bentley? How about the leaders who knew the Scriptures pointed to Jesus but didn't want to give up their power or position. But these leaders to whom the benefits of eternal life were promised if they remained faithful to God. These Jews were considered first because the promises were made to them. But they, they will be last. And those who were considered last, the Gentiles, pagans, all who responded to Jesus would take the place of those who had been considered first. The temporal life fortunes in eternity are oftentimes flipped. The temporal riches of this life lure many believers over to a side that appears successful because financial gains are made, but in actuality is abject failure. No wealth we gain is worth what is lost if we don't have Jesus. So those health and wealth preachers, the ones insisting that poverty is a sign of disfavor with God? Yeah, they will be within sight of the rich young ruler forever reconsidering their life choices and forever incapable of changing them. We don't get the chance to change our minds after death. Our fates are locked, so what are we waiting for? What's in it for us? Only Everything. [27] Then Peter responded and said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” [28] And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms on account of My name, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. [30] But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

LOST IN THE CHURCH "[PART TWO]" THE CHURCH The Church is a very important instrument in the hands of the Lord. However, that does not mean that by simply looking to or depending on the Church, a person can be saved. The Church cannot heal a person, lead them into all truth, or even baptize them with the Holy Spirit. THE LORD alone is able to do all these things! Going to church every day of worship does not make someone a Christian. It is like taking a wheelbarrow to a garage every day and expecting it to be called a car. Reading the Word of God, preaching, or knowing some of the mysteries of salvation does not make someone a Christian either. If it were that easy, Lucifer would have been the number-one Christian! Therefore, Christianity is having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. And this relationship cannot exist unless a person is born again by the Holy Spirit. Being born again is not a secret matter. First, you yourself will know it, and everyone around you will see its fruits. Nevertheless, the Lord did not leave us in darkness. He gave us certain signs that would accompany His children wherever they go. There are many of these signs, and some of them can be read in Mark 16:17–18. Therefore, it is entirely possible for someone to have no visible faults in the eyes of people, to fit perfectly into a church, and to be highly respected and trusted by the pastor and the entire church, yet not be the same person before the living God. Being known by the church or by a pastor is very different from being known by God! And what will it profit us to be famous on earth if we are unknown in heaven? The truth is that there are many believers of this kind in churches, and I assure you, they are potential inhabitants of the eternal Hell that is so terrifying. As I say this, I remember once seeing the testimony of a certain servant of God who claimed to have been shown Hell. He wrote a shocking message saying: «"HELL IS FULL OF GOOD PEOPLE."» In other words: “Hell is filled with many people who were good on earth!” Christianity is not a religion. Nevertheless, one of the highest results of religion is that it can make a person civilized in the eyes of people and morally good. Yet goodness does not make a person enter heaven! The Scriptures clearly say that no one is good except God alone. Matthew 19:17. My brothers and sisters, the Church was intended to be a place with altars that help a person encounter the Lord Jesus. But if attending church is considered salvation itself, and nothing beyond that is happening, then let me tell you plainly: you are wasting your time. And undoubtedly, you may be on the list of people who are worshipping idols! Every altar must be alive and must connect Heaven with Earth. Otherwise, you are simply gathering as a society of people comforting one another, placing your hope in false expectations. For how can you have no relationship with God now and expect to have a relationship with Him in Heaven later? Heaven, just like Hell, is the continuation of the life a person has known on Earth. I think we should admit that we are entertaining ourselves with religion. Because if we truly encountered the Lord Jesus in our lives, how could we tolerate remaining in a place where the One we encountered is not present? If we have been able to tolerate such things until now, then the simplest explanation is this: we do not know the Lord, nor have we ever encountered Him. That is why we have been able to tolerate fake things, believing that those fake things are real! Water and wine are two different things. What happens when you take water to people who are accustomed to wine? Today, let us say soda and beer. What do you think would happen if you took soda to a wedding of beer drinkers? Surely, they would all leave, and you would remain only with those who had never tasted beer! And for those who have tasted Him, they will agree with me that there is no one as good and addictive as the Lord! Once you taste Him, you will spend the rest of your life here on Earth longing for Him, saying: «“Oh Lord, I need some more of You!”» And is this not the reason the Scriptures say: «“Taste and see that the LORD is good.” Psalm 34:8» And is that not also the reason the Lord said: «“Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:54» These days, it has become completely normal to enter a certain church and find that not even one person there has ever encountered the Lord—including the pastor himself! You find a pastor preaching about Jesus who appeared to, or was encountered by, other people—but not by him personally. Do you think there can be any spiritual morning in such a place? There are more churches of this kind today than the sand of the sea! My brothers and sisters, by saying these things, I do not mean to despise worship or any particular church. I simply want people to understand that the primary purpose of the Church is to lead people to the Lord. However, if a Church abandons this essential foundation and ends up controlling people, leading them into legalism, directing them toward ministers, programs, or certain religious institutional systems, then that Church can become an extremely dangerous place—perhaps even more dangerous than a drinking club. BABYLON, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS Prophetically, a woman represents a church. If you read about the prostitute woman described in Revelation 17, you will discover that this represents the FALSE CHURCH in the world. Essentially, this church is the greatest enemy of the Church of God. That is why you will see this woman drunk with the blood of the saints. «“I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.” Revelation 17:6» Many people, when they read this prophecy, end up identifying the Roman Church as the one being referred to. However, this is a spirit of deception that exists everywhere. And this spirit may even be more deeply rooted in spiritual churches than in others. It is very remarkable that the revelation of this “woman” is connected to the revelation of the Tower of Babel when you read Genesis 11. Ultimately, the message here is a revelation of the Church—or any person—who attempts to approach God through human effort or religious zeal while rejecting the grace of the Cross of Jesus. This includes all people who approach a God who has not called them, worshipping God without knowing Him, without encountering Him, while placing their confidence in their works of the law and their own efforts. «“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”» #ToBeContinued... Sir Ernest Nyalula +255616609885 #LostInTheChurch #Church #Christianity #BiblicalTruth #JesusChrist #KnowGod #BornAgain #HolySpirit #KingdomOfGod #SpiritualAwakening #ChristianTruth #Bible #Faith #JesusIsLord

OOOOH..... Pastor Jesse is dropping Truth Bombs like Ted Cruz, Ted Kennedy, and President Trump in the political theater, on Celerity Pastor culture. Pastor Jesse is spraying truth like a soldier with a M240B on those corrupt Pretenders of holiness. He's slaughtering the entertaining Nephilim of Christian dominionism. Check this out...! 🚨 **Fake Ministers & Gaslighting** 🚨 Some ministers say, *“Don’t bleed on everyone.”* They use this as a spiritual phrase. But let’s be real—that’s not Christianity, that’s stoicism dressed up as faith. Gaslighting is designed to make you feel ashamed, afraid, or too weak to speak up. But think about it: Jesus, the prophets, and the martyrs couldn’t control where their blood fell when they were beaten. When someone else is causing the harm, you don’t get to choose where the blood lands. 👉 Spiritually speaking, abusive leaders try to silence you and deny your reality. If you’re in physical abuse, you should leave. If you’re in spiritual abuse, you should also leave—but don’t stay silent. Share your story. Bleed spiritually. The Bible itself is 66 books of people “bleeding out” their side of the story. So why should it be wrong for you to do the same? Gaslighters especially target ministers, making them afraid to show wounds or emotions. But being wounded or emotional doesn’t make you unfit to lead—it makes you human. 💡 Think of a warrior in battle: it’s almost impossible not to get cut or wounded. But while fighting, the warrior isn’t worried about where the blood flies—he’s focused on the fight. In the same way, keep fighting the good fight of faith. And remember: Jesus, the greatest leader of all, was beaten over 40 times with the cat of nine tails. He wasn’t concerned about whether His blood spattered on anyone. He was focused on truth, sacrifice, and love. Don’t let fake ministers silence you. Your story matters.

OOOOH..... Pastor Jesse is dropping Truth Bombs like Ted Cruz, Ted Kennedy, and President Trump in the political theater, on Celerity Pastor culture. Pastor Jesse is spraying truth like a soldier with a M240B on those corrupt Pretenders of holiness. He's slaughtering the entertaining Nephilim of Christian dominionism. Check this out...! 🚨 **Fake Ministers & Gaslighting** 🚨 Some ministers say, *“Don’t bleed on everyone.”* They use this as a spiritual phrase. But let’s be real—that’s not Christianity, that’s stoicism dressed up as faith. Gaslighting is designed to make you feel ashamed, afraid, or too weak to speak up. But think about it: Jesus, the prophets, and the martyrs couldn’t control where their blood fell when they were beaten. When someone else is causing the harm, you don’t get to choose where the blood lands. 👉 Spiritually speaking, abusive leaders try to silence you and deny your reality. If you’re in physical abuse, you should leave. If you’re in spiritual abuse, you should also leave—but don’t stay silent. Share your story. Bleed spiritually. The Bible itself is 66 books of people “bleeding out” their side of the story. So why should it be wrong for you to do the same? Gaslighters especially target ministers, making them afraid to show wounds or emotions. But being wounded or emotional doesn’t make you unfit to lead—it makes you human. 💡 Think of a warrior in battle: it’s almost impossible not to get cut or wounded. But while fighting, the warrior isn’t worried about where the blood flies—he’s focused on the fight. In the same way, keep fighting the good fight of faith. And remember: Jesus, the greatest leader of all, was beaten over 40 times with the cat of nine tails. He wasn’t concerned about whether His blood spattered on anyone. He was focused on truth, sacrifice, and love. Don’t let fake ministers silence you. Your story matters.

Reading Acts1:15-26 The Forgotten disciple We know little of Matthias, after this snapshot, we hear nothing about him. We know in verse 21, that although he wasn't part of the inner group of apostles, he was closely associated with them and saw everything that happened. So he was a man who stayed the course, he did not leave, when many so many were leaving. Probably this is why he was chosen, because he could be trusted. Can the same be said about you? Secondly, he was chosen to be a witness to the resurrection. Here was a man who was like the apostles who had seen the miracles Jesus had done, but also he was a witness of the resurrection. Today we are to be witnesses of that resurrection, Jesus truly rose from the dead, it is not a figment of the apostles imagination. These twelve men and others were going to tell the world that Jesus lives. We don't know where Matthias ended up, but we know that he played a full role on the day of Pentecost and was imprisoned at least twice for his faith, all of the apostles except John died a martyrs death, so we know that this forgotten apostle gave up his life. Many people in the church live in the background, they are not at the front, but serve consistently behind the scenes. Maybe you think, just because your name is not well known that you have been forgotten, but it hasn't. God sees all your service and will reward you in due time, with a crown of life. JUST LIKE MATTHIAS Tell people of the resurrection of Jesus, that he is alive. God bless you Kk

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: THURSDAY AUGUST 6TH 2026 THEME: NOT BY MIGHT MEMORISE: Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 READ: Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. MESSAGE What a person will become during his or her sojourn on earth will not depend solely on the fellow's efforts. African elders have an adage that says, Hustling and bustling does not translate to wealth. This is true because, for instance, dockworkers who offload cargo from a ship from sunrise to sunset typically would earn only a fraction of what the Chief Executive Officer of a wharf, who sits in an air- conditioned office, sipping tea and merely signing documents, would earn. At the end of a month, the fellow's salary might even be more than what a hefty, hardworking dockworker will earn in a whole year! Today's Bible reading makes it clear that the fact that a fellow can run swiftly does not mean that he or she will win a race, and the fact that a fellow is strong does not mean that he or she will defeat an enemy. The passage goes on to say that bread is not to the wise, neither are riches to men of understanding. This means that a fellow's advanced level of education alone will not determine how wealthy he or she will become. I recall that I was in Redemption Camp (now Redemption City) sometime between 1983 and 1984, spending time alone with God, and crying to Him. I said, "God, I'm not asking for clothes, a car, or a house. I was minding my business as a lecturer at the university when You asked me to come and serve You. I agreed, and I really want to serve You; however, I need power to do Your work. I don't want to be an ordinary pastor; I want to excel." In desperation, I added, "God, it is either You empower me, or You take me home." My prayer touched Him, and that night, the entire campground shook due to an earthquake that sent tremors as far as ljebu Ode, a town several kilometres away. The Lord visited me and empowered me with His anointing to excel. Beloved, you need God's anointing to excel. It is God who gives power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18), it is only His anointing that can teach you everything you need to now (1 John 2:27), and it is only through Him that you can do all things (Philippians 4:13). This is why you must cry out to God to anoint you just as I did several years ago. I pray that my Daddy will empower you to excel, in Jesus' name. PRAYER POINT Dear Lord, please visit me and empower me to excel, in Jesus ‘name. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 9-11 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE HYMN 1: ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME 1. All hail the power of Jesus' Name! Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all. 2. Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre, and as they tune it, fall Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all. Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all. 3. Crown Him, ye morning stars of light, Who fixed this floating bail; Now hail the strength of Israel's might, and crown Him Lord of all. Now hail the strength of Israel's might, and crown Him Lord of all. 4. Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God, who from His altar call; Extol the Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown Him Lord of all. Extol the Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown Him Lord of all. 5. Ye seed of Israel's chosen race, ye ransomed from the fall, Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all. Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all. 6. Hail Him, ye heirs of David's line, Whom David Lord did call, The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all, The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all. 7. Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget the wormwood and the gall, Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all. Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all. 8. Let every tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all. And shout in universal song the crowned Lord of all PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL. Thursday 6th August 2026 NOT BY MIGHT ‎ ‎PRAYER POINTS 1.Ancient of Days, I worship and adore You for creating me in Your image and likeness. Thank You for being my strength and my help, thank You for taking care of my weaknesses. 2.Helper of the helpless, You are my Present-help, please help me to succeed in my sojourn here on earth, in Jesus' name. 3.Father, please bless the labour of my hands, and let my hardwork yield much more blessings for me and my household, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me to win the race of life, and strengthen me to win the battles thereof. Grant me wisdom and understanding to get wealth, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, I don't want to be ordinary please, empower me to excel in every area of my life endeavors, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please visit me today and empower me with Your anointing to excel, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please let Your anointing abide in me, and teach me all that I need to know so I can be empowered to do all things, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please I depend on You for help and strength, please flood my life with Your joy and let me prevail over sorrows and sadness, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please by Your Spirit, help me to become what You have created and destined me to be in life, in Jesus' name. 10.Dear Lord, please visit me and every member of my family and local assembly, and empower us to excel, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Let Your anointing be on the increase in His life, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ ‎#Godblessournation ‎These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name. ‎

Daily Bible Lesson. THE BIOGRAPHY OF JESUS CHRIST — THE LORD WHO SAVES. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” — John 14:6. Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity—the Saviour who came into the world to reveal God's love, teach truth, and redeem humanity through His death and resurrection. 1. PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: Jesus Christ Hebrew: Yeshua Greek: Iēsous Meaning: “The Lord Saves” Birth: Traditionally dated to around 4–6 B.C., in Bethlehem of Judea. Family: Mother: Mary, a young Jewish woman. Legal Father: Joseph, a carpenter from Nazareth and descendant of David. Siblings: The Gospels mention brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas—and also unnamed sisters (Mark 6:3). Origin: Jesus was Jewish and was associated with the tribe of Judah and the royal lineage of David. He was raised in Nazareth of Galilee. 2. EARLY LIFE Birth in Bethlehem: Jesus was laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn (Luke 2:7). Visitors: Shepherds came to see Him, and later wise men from the East visited Him. Flight to Egypt: Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod's attempt to kill Him (Matthew 2:13–15). Return to Nazareth: After Herod's death, the family returned and settled in Nazareth. At Age 12: Jesus astonished the teachers in the temple with His understanding and answers (Luke 2:46–47). 3. EDUCATION & TEACHING Jesus was not known to have attended a formal rabbinical school. Some people were amazed at His knowledge and asked, “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” (John 7:15). His teaching was marked by: Deep knowledge of Scripture Divine wisdom Dependence upon His Father Unparalleled spiritual authority Jesus was called Rabbi, meaning Teacher, by many who recognized His authority (John 3:2). His authority did not come from human credentials—it came from the truth He taught and the divine mission He fulfilled. 4. CAREER & PUBLIC MINISTRY Occupation: Jesus was known as a carpenter or craftsman (Mark 6:3). He worked before beginning His public ministry. Public Ministry: He preached the Kingdom of God and: Healed the sick Cast out demons Forgave sins Performed miracles Raised the dead Taught God's truth Trained His disciples 5. ACHIEVEMENTS & CHALLENGES His Achievements He taught the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). He performed many recorded miracles. He trained twelve apostles and many other disciples. He fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. His Challenges Opposition from religious leaders. Rejection by people in His hometown. Betrayal by Judas. Denial by Peter. Abandonment by His disciples. False accusations, torture, and crucifixion. 6. MARRIAGE, CHILDREN & PERSONAL LIFE Marriage & Children: The Bible does not record Jesus as having a wife or biological children. His earthly life was completely devoted to His Father's mission. Personal Life: Scripture does not describe hobbies in the modern sense, but Jesus regularly: Withdrew to pray Spent time alone with His Father Fasted Spent time in quiet places His greatest passion was fulfilling the will of His Father and saving humanity. 7. MAJOR TURNING POINTS Baptism: Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved Son.” (Matthew 3:16–17) Temptation in the Wilderness: Jesus fasted for forty days and resisted Satan's temptations (Matthew 4:1–11). Transfiguration: Jesus revealed His glory before Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1–8). Gethsemane: Before the cross, Jesus experienced profound anguish and submitted Himself to the Father's will (Luke 22:39–46). 8. LEGACY & IMPACT Redemption: Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the foundation of Christian hope for salvation. The Church: He established and commissioned His followers to carry the gospel to the world. His Teachings: He taught radical love, forgiveness, humility, mercy, and service. Global Impact: Billions of people identify as Christians worldwide. His teachings have profoundly influenced cultures and societies. His life became a central reference point in the traditional division of history into B.C. and A.D. 9. HISTORICAL CONTEXT Jesus lived during the period of Roman rule in Judea. Caesar Augustus was emperor during the time of His birth. Herod the Great ruled Judea as a Roman client king. The period was marked by: Roman political control Social unrest Religious tension Jewish hopes for the promised Messiah 10. CHALLENGES & HOW JESUS RESPONDED Challenges Religious opposition from Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes. Misunderstanding from His own disciples. Betrayal by Judas. Denial by Peter. Abandonment by His followers. False accusations, torture, and crucifixion. His Response Deep prayer life Complete trust in the Father's will Unshakable commitment to His mission Forgiveness—even toward those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34) Jesus responded to hatred with love, to betrayal with forgiveness, and to suffering with obedience. 11. REFLECTIONS & LESSONS FROM JESUS Lessons He Taught Love your enemies — Matthew 5:44 Treat others as you would want to be treated — Luke 6:31 True greatness is found in serving others — Mark 9:35 Forgive others Love God with all your heart Core Christian Beliefs God is love. Salvation is offered through God's grace and received through faith. Eternal life is available through Jesus Christ. Jesus' Call to His Followers “Take up your cross, and follow Me.” — Matthew 16:24 “Love the Lord thy God... and thy neighbour as thyself.” — Matthew 22:37–39 12. HIS DEATH & RESURRECTION Crucifixion: Jesus was crucified under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, around A.D. 30–33, during Passover. Place: Golgotha, meaning “The Place of the Skull,” outside Jerusalem. Manner: He was crucified between two criminals after suffering severe physical abuse. Significance: Christians believe Jesus died as the Lamb of God, making salvation available to humanity (John 1:29). Resurrection: Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and appeared to His followers and many others, including more than 500 people according to 1 Corinthians 15:6. Ascension: He later ascended into heaven. THE CROSS WAS NOT THE END—THE EMPTY TOMB DECLARED THAT JESUS HAD CONQUERED DEATH! 13. HIS LEGACY AFTER DEATH Christianity spread throughout the world. His followers carried His gospel to the nations. His life inspired martyrs, missionaries, reformers, and countless believers. His resurrection remains the central hope of Christianity. His message continues to transform lives today. THE GREATEST LIFE EVER LIVED Jesus was more than a historical figure. He is the Saviour, the Messiah, the Son of God, and the hope of humanity. He came to seek the lost. He came to reveal the Father's love. He died for sinners. He conquered the grave. He is coming again! THE QUESTION IS NOT ONLY “WHO WAS JESUS?” THE QUESTION IS: “WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?”

St. Ignatius of Loyola He was born on October 23, 1491 at the castle in Loyola in the municipality of Azpeitia, now in Spain. His baptismal name was Inigo Lopez de Loyola. He was brought up by the wife of a local blacksmith since his mother died soon after his birth. He became a servant (Page) in the house of the Treasurer of the Kingdom of Castle, who was a relative to him. In 1509 he joined the army of Viceroy of Navarre and participated in many battles without incurring any injuries to him. But one day he was injured seriously in his legs by a cannonball in a battle on May 20, 1521. During the treatment period he read De Vita Christi, a commentary on the life of Jesus and commentary on the Gospels. After reading this book, he started reading other books about Jesus and other saints. He got a mind change after reading Christian books and decided to devote his life to work for the conversion of non-Christians to Christian faith, in the Holy Land. After recovery from the leg injuries, he went to the Benedictine monastery, Santa Maria de Montserrat on March 25, 1523 and hung his military vestments before the image of the Holy Virgin Mary and went away. He then spent the next few months in a cave and practiced rigorous asceticism. He made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land for about 20 days and he studied in the University of Paris. In Paris he gathered six of his friends namely Francis Xavier, Alfonso Salmeron, Diego Laynez, Nicholas Bobadilla (all Spanish), Peter Faber (French) and Simao Rodriques (Portugal) and they took solemn vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, on August 15, 1534 and about their life long work, in the crypt of the church of Our Lady of Martyrs at, Montmartre, Loyola. They founded the Society of Jesus in 1539. He wrote the constitution of the Society of Jesus and was approved by pope Paul-III on September 27, 1540. St. Ignatius and his friends pronounced their vows in the newly found Order (The Society of Jesus) on April 22, 1541 at the church of St. Paul outside the Walls. St. Ignatius became the first Superior General (Father-General) of the Society of Jesus. The Jesuit motto is \'Ad Maiorem Dei glorium\' (for the greater glory of God). St. Ignatius of Loyola died on July 31, 1556 in Rome due to malarial fever. He was beatified on July 27, 1609 by pope Paul-V and canonized by pope Gregory-XV on March 12, 1622.

In the Dark Ages and Early Middle Ages, the Catholic Church attempted to oppose the paganism involved in the Samhain festival by making November 1 All Saints’ Day and November 2 All Souls’ Day. As noted, All Saints’ Day was a remembrance and celebration of the saints, especially the ones who were heroic martyrs (people who died for their faith). All Souls’ Day became a day on which Roman Catholics prayed for the dead in order to help them escape the torments of purgatory. In the year AD 609 or 610, Pope Boniface IV grievously strayed from biblical teaching by dedicating the Roman Pantheon, formerly a pagan temple to every known god, to the Virgin Mary and all Christian martyrs. This was done on May 13, a day that became a feast day. In 835 Pope Gregory IV transferred this feast to November 1 and extended it to include all of the saints. As a result, November 1, All Saints’ Day, the day after Halloween (Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve), became a day dedicated by the Catholic Church to the Virgin Mary and the saints. Eventually, November 2 evolved into All Souls’ Day, a special day to pray for the dead. As we will see, this custom supposedly originated with a mystical vision of the Catholic Saint Odilo, who died in 1048. - JOHN ANKERBERG

St. Augine (Augustine) Zhao Rong and Companions St. Augine was a native of China and was born in the year 1746. He worked as a soldier in the beginning and served as one of the soldiers who escorted Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse of the Paris Foreign Mission Society to his execution in Beijing. Augine, on seeing the heroism and courage exhibited by the bishop before and at the time of his death for the cause of the Christian faith, got change of mind and wished to convert to Christianity. He became a Christian by getting baptism at the age of 30 years. He then studied for priesthood and ordained a priest after 5 years. During the reign of Chinese Emperor Kia\-Kin (1796\-1821), Christian missionaries whether foreign or native Chinese were killed indiscriminately, simply for following Christian faith. Augine Zhao Rong was caught and was asked to renounce his Christian faith. But he refused to renounce Christianity and he was executed on September 14, 1815. Another noted native martyr in the group was a 14\-year old Chinese girl named Ann Wang, who bravely faced torture and death for the cause of her Christian Faith. Just before she was beheaded, she declared \'The door of heaven is opened to all\' and shouted the name of Jesus three times. Yet another Chinese born martyr was an 18\-year old boy named Chi Zhuzi, who was then preparing to receive baptism. He was captured by the authorities on the road and was asked to worship their native gods but he refused and also bravely revealed that he was a Christian. His right arm was cut off immediately but still he did not deny his faith in Christianity. Before execution, he fearlessly pronounced \'Every piece of my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you that I am a Christian\'. St. Augine Zhao Rong and Companions were canonized by Pope John Paul\-II on October 1, 2000 along with 120 Chinese Martyrs. #death #martyrs #china #youth #faith #beheaded #deathforchristian #Christian #deathforjesus #notconversion #rollmodel #christianfaith #followchristianfaith ##changeofmind #changeofmindchangeoflife #followjesus