Full Episode Transcript

Brother Richie Juatco:  The number of people all around the world who identify as Christians is estimated to be approximately 2.4 to 2.6 billion, making it to be considered the largest religion in the world. But although every so-called Christian shares a belief in Jesus Christ, there are significant differences in what they believe about Him. Not only that, there are differences in religious practices, faiths, and understandings of what it means to be a Christian.

So what does it mean to be a Christian according to the Bible? If a Christian, by definition, is a follower of Jesus Christ, how does Christ Himself describe His followers? 

Stay with us. This is what we’ll be studying today, here on The Message. 

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Christians According to Christ

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The Message

Brother Richie Juatco:  Hi. Thank you for joining us. I’m Brother Richie Juatco.

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Brother Mark Vasquez

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Richie Juatco

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Mark Vasquez: And I’m Brother Mark Vasquez.

Although people who claim to be Christians have many similarities in certain aspects, different churches teach different things about Jesus Christ, and it is there their differences in faith and belief that make it questionable that they’re in the same religion. These differences have grown over centuries due to theological disputes, cultural influences, and historical events. So, in order to really determine who is an actual Christian, or follower of Christ, let’s learn from Jesus Christ Himself.

Brother Richie, what makes someone a true Christian, and how did the Lord Jesus Christ describe Himself and His followers? 

Christ gave His life for His sheep [01:44]

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How does Christ describe Himself and His followers

Brother Richie: Let’s go straight to what is recorded in the Bible. We’ll read what our Lord Jesus Christ says. We’ll read here in John, 10, the verse is 11. Our Lord Jesus Christ says this,

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

[John 10:11 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: So here, our Lord Jesus Christ proclaims, He said, “I am the good shepherd.” Now what is our Lord Jesus Christ’s role as the good shepherd? He said, “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Now we know that the sheep being mentioned here, they’re not literal sheep. These are people who follow Him—these are true Christians. 

Brother Mark: But what if a person is counted amongst the sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Brother Richie: The benefit of that, our Lord Jesus Christ said that He “gives His life for the sheep.” 

Brother Mark: But what does that mean that the Lord Jesus Christ will give His life for the sheep?

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What does it mean that Christ will give His life for the sheep?

Brother Richie: Let’s get more explanation from the Bible. We’ll read now what is written in the Book of Romans. We’ll read from chapter 5, verse 8 to 9,

But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! By his blood we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by him from God’s anger!

[Romans 5:8-9 Good News Translation]

Brother Richie: So here Apostle Paul explains the meaning of Christ giving His life for the sheep. He said, “Christ died for us!” Now what is the benefit or value of Christ dying for His followers? He said, “By his blood we are [now] put right with God.” Now let’s take note that in order to be put right with God, or be in good standing or acceptable by God, a person has to be included among Christ’s sheep or followers—because Christ sacrificed His blood or gave up His life for them.

Brother Mark: So if one is truly a sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ, or considered His follower, what is the importance or the significance of being put right with God? 

Brother Richie: Well, Apostle Paul explained, “then, [we will] be saved by him from God’s anger!”

Therefore, being a true Christian, or sheep of Christ, is really the most important goal really to have in life.

Brother Mark: And no wonder so many people now are claiming to be Christians or followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are billions of people that are trying to claim this, but who determines who are actually Christians or the sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ? 

Christ true sheep are those who follow what He says [04:28]

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Who determines who the true sheep of Christ are?

Brother Richie: So let’s go back to John, 10, what we read earlier. But now let’s read from what’s written in verse 14, because earlier we read verse 11. Let’s, let’s keep learning from what our Lord Jesus Christ says, 

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

[John 10:14 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Here Christ repeats, “I am the good shepherd.” Now what did He say here about His sheep? He said, “I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” Now, the second part of that statement is not a difficult requirement to meet, when He says, “I… am known by my own,” because for one to say that they know our Lord Jesus Christ, that’s hardly an exceptional quality. 

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Christians According to Christ

Brother Mark: The Lord Jesus Christ is widely considered the most well-known person of all time, by historical impact, global recognition, and cultural influence. While many figures are incredibly well-known, the Lord Jesus Christ stands at the top in terms of enduring influence across cultures and across centuries. 

Brother Richie: That’s correct. So it is actually the first part of Christ’s statement regarding His sheep that determines who they really are. What is it that our Lord Jesus Christ said? He said, “I know My sheep.” Knowing Christ is one thing. Being known by Christ is something entirely different that cannot merely be claimed or declared, because Christ is the one who specifies who His sheep are. 

Brother Mark: So how did He specify this? How did the Lord Jesus Christ describe His sheep?

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How did Christ describe His sheep?

Brother Richie: So let’s stay in John, chapter 10, but now let’s read what’s written in verse 27. He said, 

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

[John 10:27 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: So here the Lord Jesus Christ reiterates, He is the one who specifies who His sheep are. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them.” Now how did our Lord Jesus Christ describe the sheep that He knows? He said, “they follow Me.” Notice, He did not say my sheep merely believe in me. So true Christians, or sheep of our Lord Jesus Christ, are those who actually follow our Lord Jesus Christ. 

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Christians According to Christ

Brother Mark: And that’s why, Brother Richie, it should be clear to our friends that are joining us that there are some who say that they’re Christians. They claim that they’re Christians, but they do not actually follow Him—and they are not true Christians if they don’t follow our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. Therefore, unfortunately, they are not really Christ’s sheep that He sacrificed His life for and put right with God by His blood. 

Brother Mark: So why is it that, some people, they don’t follow? Since following Christ is the distinguishing trait of Christ’s sheep, and the most important goal to have in life, what would be the reason people don’t follow the Lord Jesus Christ? 

Brother Richie: That’s a good question. If there are so many benefits, so much value in following our Lord Jesus Christ, then why not? Why do people not follow? 

Brother Mark: Why don’t they? 

Some don’t follow or believe what Christ says [07:30]

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Why do people not follow Christ?

Brother Richie: We read verse 27. We are going to read, same book, same chapter, but verse 25 now. Here it says, 

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.

[John 10:25 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: In this verse, the Lord Jesus Christ responds to those who question who He is. How did our Lord Jesus Christ respond to them? We read, He said or He answered them, “I told you.” So, if our Lord Jesus Christ already told them who He is, what’s the problem? Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “I told you, and you do not believe.” So people who do not follow Christ are those who do not believe He is who He says He is. 

Brother Mark: As a matter of fact, Brother Richie, what did the Lord Jesus Christ do to prove who He is?

Brother Richie: Well He even said, “The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.” So not only does our Lord Jesus Christ clearly teach who He is, the works He does also give evidence of that. So it begs the question, Brother Mark, what did our Lord Jesus Christ teach about Himself? What did He teach about who He is?

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What did Christ teach about Himself?

Brother Mark: That’s a really good question, Brother Richie. Let’s ask the Holy Scriptures, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will answer that. Let’s go to the Book of John, 8 and the verse is 40. It says this,

But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God…

[John 8:40 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: Here the Lord Jesus Christ states that He is “a Man.” For those who do not consider Him to be a man or a human being, what kind of a man did He describe Himself as? He said, “a Man who has told you the truth.” So Christ truly is a man. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. So this is not a lie, or what some might call a half truth, but rather—it’s the truth. Now, Brother Mark, where did our Lord Jesus Christ learn the truth which He tells people?

Brother Mark: The Lord Jesus Christ said here, “the truth which I heard from God.” So it’s clear here in these verses that we read that not only did He make it clear that He’s a man, but also clear that He is not God. 

Brother Richie: So if He’s not God because He’s learning the truth from God, well according to our Lord, Lord Jesus Christ, who is God?

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Who is the true God according to Christ?

Brother Mark: Well, let’s read what the Lord Jesus Christ taught regarding who the true God is. Let’s read here in the Book of John, we’ll read 17:1 and also verse 3,

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

[John 17:1 & 3 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: In these verses, the Lord Jesus Christ is here on earth, but speaking to the One in heaven. And what did the Lord Jesus Christ call the One in heaven? Well we read, Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father.”

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, what is so important or vital to know about the Father, according to our Lord Jesus Christ, because He’s speaking to Him? 

Brother Mark: Well the Lord Jesus Christ showed us the importance. It says here, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God.” So the One and only true God that Christ learns the truth from is the Father. 

Brother Richie: Now we have to take notice that because our Lord Jesus Christ clarifies the Father is the only true God—God does not have multiple persons. Our Lord Jesus Christ never taught that. He never taught that He should be considered or included amongst those that are considered God. Now, how did Christ describe Himself when He was speaking to God? 

Brother Mark: The Lord Jesus Christ said here, “Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.” So the Lord Jesus Christ made it clear that He is the Son of God.

Brother Richie: So those are two distinct things—being the Son of God is very different from being God. 

Brother Mark: Very different. 

Brother Richie: Well, what did our Lord Jesus Christ say to the Father regarding what people should know about Himself, about Jesus Christ? 

Brother Mark: Well, he said here, “that they may know… Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ teaches that as the Son of God, He is sent by the only true God, the Father.

Brother Richie: Brother Mark, what is the proof or evidence that our Lord Jesus Christ uses for those that don’t believe in what He’s saying, He’s sent by God? 

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How did Christ prove that He was sent by God?

Brother Mark: Well, let’s read that here together in the Book of John. We’ll read 5 and the verse is 36,

But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.

[John 5:36 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: Here the Lord Jesus Christ again mentions what testifies or bears witness that He is who He says he is. And what’s the proof? He said, “for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me.” As Christ fulfills the works that God has Him do, what does it prove? Well the Lord Jesus Christ said, “that the Father has sent Me.” 

Brother Richie: So our Lord Jesus Christ is very clear in His teaching of who He is and how we should know Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught that He is a man—so He’s mortal. He’s a human being. He also taught that He is the Son of God, and it is His teaching that He is the Messenger of God. He’s the greatest messenger because He is sent by God. But despite all of Christ’s clear teachings regarding who He is, what do many people misunderstand about what He is saying, Brother Mark? 

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What do people misunderstand about Christ’s teachings?

Brother Mark: Well, let’s see what other people misunderstand about what the Lord Jesus Christ is teaching. Let’s read here in the Book of John, we’ll read 10, we’ll read 31 until verse 33.

Once again the people picked up stones in order to kill Jesus. But he said, “I have shown you many good things my Father sent me to do. Which one are you going to stone me for?” They answered, “We are not stoning you because of any good thing you did. We are stoning you because you did a terrible thing. You are just a man, and here you are claiming to be God!”

[John 10:31-33 Contemporary English Version]

Brother Mark: Here we learned the way many people felt about the Lord Jesus Christ when He was teaching on earth. And how angry did some get? We read, “the people picked up stones in order to kill Jesus.” Surprised at their reaction, what did the Lord Jesus Christ ask them? He said, “I have shown you many good things my Father sent me to do. Which one are you going to stone me for?”  

Brother Richie: Now notice the question our Lord Jesus Christ poses. It highlights just how confused and mistaken the people were. Christ clearly taught them who He was. He told them the truth. He did good things that God sent Him to do. So for people to want to kill Him, there’s an obvious misunderstanding. Brother Mark, how did the people misunderstand our Lord Jesus Christ? 

Brother Mark: We read, “They answered,… We are stoning you because you did a terrible thing. You are just a man, and here you are claiming to be God!” 

Brother Richie: So the confusion of the people that resulted in their anger was that they thought Christ was claiming to be God.

Brother Mark: They thought that. 

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Christians According to Christ

Brother Richie: And the people, they knew. They knew He was a man, right? They knew that He was a human being. And for a person to say that Christ claimed to be God, that would be blasphemous and that would be a complete lie. So how did our Lord Jesus Christ respond to those allegations, because people were saying that’s what he was saying. They are saying that He’s saying that He’s God. How did He respond to that? 

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What was Christ’s response to people who accused Him of claiming to be God?

Brother Mark: Well, let’s continue reading in that same book and chapter. Earlier, we read John 10:31 to 33. Now let’s read in verse 36, a continuation. This is what it says,

As for me, the Father chose me and sent me into the world. How, then, can you say that I blaspheme because I said that I am the Son of God?

[John 10:36 Good News Translation]

Brother Mark: So here the Lord Jesus Christ, He sets the record straight on who He says He is. What did He say? He said, “I said that I am the Son of God.” He made it very clear when He said that. 

Brother Richie: That is clear. And He shows the clear distinction, right, between being God and then being the Son of God. Those two are not the same thing, because He clarified, He is the Son of God. Well, what did He ask the people, because He made that clear. He’s not saying He’s God. He made it clear that—He’s the Son of God. What did He ask them then? 

Brother Mark: He went on to ask them, He said, “How, then, can you say that I blaspheme?” The Lord Jesus Christ had never committed blasphemy, let alone any sin at all. He teaches the truth that the only true God is the Father and that He is the Son of the only true God. 

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Christians According to Christ

Brother Richie: You know, unfortunately, the mistake of misunderstanding our Lord Jesus Christ’s teaching is not isolated to the Jews in the first century. Many people today, who call themselves Christians, make the same mistake that the Jews did. Many people believe Christ is God and believe that because they think Christ is teaching that He is God. But we hope that in our study, at least to this point, we’ve been able to already clear up many misconceptions about the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Brother Mark: Brother Richie, although that’s our hope, we know that there will still be some who, even after hearing the written teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself—for example: He taught that He is a man, He taught that He is the Son of God, He is sent by the Lord God, He even taught that the only true God is the Father—but still some won’t believe what He teaches but will continue to believe that He is God. According to the Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Richie, what’s the reason, some people, they won’t believe what He teaches?

Those who don’t believe what Christ says are not His sheep [18:28]

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Why won’t some believe what Christ teaches about Himself?

Brother Richie: Let’s go to what our Lord Jesus Christ taught. We’ll go back to John, chapter 10 and we’ll read 26 now. Our Lord Jesus Christ says, 

But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

[John 10:26 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Here the Lord Jesus Christ acknowledges that there are people who “do not believe.” Now what is the explanation our Lord Jesus Christ gives to people who do not believe what He teaches about Himself? He said that “you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.” Thus, those with a different belief about Christ other than what He taught, they are not of His sheep or—they are not actually Christians. 

Brother Mark: And that makes it very clear, especially tied to the first verses you read at the beginning of our program this day.

Brother Richie: That’s right. 

Brother Mark: But when it comes to what you just mentioned, Brother Richie, where are the actual sheep of our Lord Jesus Christ or the true Christians—His true followers? 

Those who do believe in Christ follow His instructions to enter His Church [19:19]

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Where are the sheep or the true Christians of Christ?

Brother Richie: Let’s read here in verse 16 of John, chapter 10. Our Lord Jesus Christ says this about His sheep. He said, 

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

[John 10:16 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Here our Lord Jesus Christ prophesied that there will be more people that will follow Him or be His sheep. What is it that He said about them? He said, “other sheep I have which are not of this fold.” Well, where will our Lord Jesus Christ place His sheep who actually do follow Him? He said that “there will be one flock and one shepherd.” So the sheep of our Lord Jesus Christ, they’re not just scattered wherever they want. They are not people who just claim to have a belief in Christ. The true sheep of Christ are gathered together in, what He said, “one flock.”

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Christians According to Christ

Brother Mark: What does it mean that the true sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ are in one flock? Brother Richie, what is that one flock where the true sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ are, who are also the true Christians?

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Which is the one flock where the true sheep of Christ belong?

Brother Richie: Well if we, and we do—we want all of our answers to come from the Bible—the Bible does teach us what the flock is. We can read that here in Acts 20:28. Here it says, 

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.

[Acts 20:28 George M. Lamsa’s Translation]

Brother Richie: So here the Bible teaches that “the flock” which the overseers should feed it is “the church of Christ.” This is where Christ’s sheep are.

Brother Mark: To our friends joining us now in our study, we should realize that those in the true Church Of Christ are the sheep that the Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for or died for. The members of the Church Of Christ are the people that Christ put right with God by means of His blood. Why are we so sure of that? Brother Richie, what did Christ do for that one flock or for the Church Of Christ? 

Brother Richie: Well, we did read, it said “the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” So it is only one singular church that is the one flock. 

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Christians According to Christ

Brother Richie: For those who are not members of the Church Of Christ but want to be followers of our Lord Jesus Christ teaching, they want to be among the sheep that are saved from God’s anger, Brother Mark, what is our Lord Jesus Christ’s instruction? If they are not yet His sheep, they are not in the flock or in the Church Of Christ, what is His invitation to them? 

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What is Christ’s invitation to those who are not yet in the Church Of Christ?

Brother Mark: Let’s read the invitation and commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ. We’ll continue reading in the Book of John. We were reading from that earlier. Let’s go back to the Book of John. We’ll read 10, this time we’ll read verses 7 and also verse 9,

So Jesus spoke again: ‘In very truth I tell you, I am the door of the sheepfold.’… I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe. …

[John 10: 7 & 9 Revised English Bible]

Brother Mark: As the good shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ again teaches about His relationship to His sheep. And what did He say? He said, “In very truth I tell you, I am the door of the sheepfold.” Since He says that He is the door of the sheepfold or the flock, what did He say to those outside the flock who want to follow Him and who want to be saved from God’s anger? He said, “anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe.” So again, Christ Himself is giving the instruction. He is the one instructing those outside the Church Of Christ, or the flock, to join or to come into the Church.

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Christians According to Christ

Brother Richie: Now, if there are any who are listening to Christ’s teachings that we just studied, those who consider themselves Christians and they feel that our Lord Jesus Christ is really their Lord, but are not moved to follow the instructions that we just studied, Brother Mark, what question does our Lord Jesus Christ pose for people like that?

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What does Christ ask those who claim to be Christian but are outside the Church Of Christ?

Brother Mark: Well, let’s read what the Lord Jesus Christ asks those who, maybe they call themselves Christians but, they made that decision that they don’t want to join the Church Of Christ. Let’s read here in the Book of Luke, we’ll read 6:46, 

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

[Luke 6:46 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: The Lord Jesus Christ was rebuking those who call or consider Him to be their Lord, yet they really don’t acknowledge Him as Lord. And how did the Lord Jesus Christ know this? He said, they do “not do the things which I say.” What does He say to people who won’t come into the Church or join the Church, yet they feel that they’re Christians? The Lord Jesus Christ asks, “why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord?’” A Lord is someone you obey or do what He says. For the sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ, or the true Christians, they follow His instruction to join the biblical Church Of Christ.

Brother Richie: You know, for those who want safety of being among Christ’s sheep but are outside the Church Of Christ, Christ teaches to come into the sheepfold—come into the flock or into the Church Of Christ. This teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ is what we relay to all those watching and hearing this biblical message. 

Brother Mark: For those hearing this for the first time, we encourage you to keep learning more of God’s written words taught here inside the Church Of Christ. Come visit a congregation near you. Or if you want to, ask us a question now, by clicking the link in the description and inquire how to listen to the basic teachings in the Bible.

Brother Richie: Now, if you’re already going through those lessons or wherever you are in your spiritual journey, make sure that your journey does not stop here. Keep watching and growing with us and stay constantly tuned in to The Message. 

On behalf of all of us here at The Message, we are grateful for you joining us in this episode. But before we conclude, please join us for a short prayer.

Brother Richie: Thank you so much, Dear Father, for being able to listen to Your words. We know that this is Your mercy to us. We praise You. We truly do honor Your most Holy Name. It is only when we are able to hear Your written word, Your teachings, that we realize the truth that we need to know. And we ask that You allow all of us to have this embedded in our hearts and in our minds.

We know You are the one that sent Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to help people that are trying to be with You, so that they can be saved from Your anger and Your punishment. We are asking that You have mercy on all those listening and watching. Please allow them to realize that this is Your goodness, Your kindness to every single one, so that everyone will follow and will obey Your teachings. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ, we also approach You. Thank You for making it very clear who You are. You are the Son of God. You are the one that He has sent. You are the one that we should follow, because You are the best example. We are asking You, Dear Lord, please intercede on our behalf.

Bring our prayer to the Father and help those that truly want to be Christians, want to be Your sheep, those that will realize it is You calling everyone inside the Church Of Christ. 

Our God, we thank You once again. We thank You for opportunities like this to hear Your teachings. Always bless the Church. Bless the Church in her entirety and please always bless the Administration You are using to guide all of us inside the Church.

We pray for all these things through the name of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

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