The final command of Christ was His great commission for individual believers to make disciples. This requires great commitment as we turn away from the way the world thinks to the way of the Lord. However, Satan has sought to hinder the call to discipleship with many distractions and deceptions. We must be committed to the plan of God to advance His Kingdom.

Which of these statements more accurately reflects your relationship with God in His Word? "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God." (Jesus) ... or ... "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily ..." (Paul/Luke) In the previous message we saw the Biblical illiteracy of American Christians and then began considering the identity and inspiration of the whole counsel of God. In this message the importance and inculcation of the whole of God is considered as we look forward to our seven year project of teaching through the Whole Counsel of God.

There have been numerous surveys performed in the United States to gauge the Biblical literacy of those who claim to be Christians. Sadly, the majority of American Christians do not know basics Bible teaching. The majority of those surveyed either believe that Christ sinned or they were not sure! Paul, in his final address to the elders of Ephesus, proclaimed that he had not shunned to declare to them the whole counsel of God. He then commended them to God and the Word of His grace. For, he stated, after he departed false teachers would arise seeking to draw disciples after themselves. To the Corinthians, he stated that these false teachers would present another Jesus, another spirit, or another gospel. Hence, it behooves those who are disciples of Christ to know His Word and His teaching. Indeed, the Bible is the very inspired, God breathed, Word of God. The Bible contains absolute truth. How well do we know our manual?

Last but not least! This message is the final message in the Focusing on the Christ series. However, as we seek to Focus On and Reflect Christ in this world the need for prayer is critical to the accomplishment of the goal. As a result of our communion, compassion and commitment to one another, we are called as a body to lift up one another in prayer before the throne of God. Could it be that the apathy and lethargy of the American church is due to a lack of faithfulness in prayer? After putting on the entire armor, we are called on to pray! If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land! This message was presented on July 8, 2012 by Bob Corbin

Deon Janse Von Rensburg is a native South African who the Lord has raised up to plant reproducing indigenous Bible believing local body of believers in South Africa. Deon and his family are serving the Lord via Biblical Ministries Worldwide. This message was presented on July 1, 2012 by Deon Janse Von Rensburg

As we seek to reflect Christ as a local body of believers, we must continue keep the goal of the assembly at the forefront of our mind. As individuals are to seek to glorify God by being conformed to the image of Christ, so the goal of the local assembly is to glorify God while coming to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. To reach this goal, we are called upon to edify one another. This is NOT just the job of the leaders of the church, rather it is for every member to do their share, causing growth in the body for the edifying of itself in love. This message was presented on June 24, 2012 by Bob Corbin

What we say, and how we live, is a reflection of Who is reigning in our heart ... both individually and collectively. The church is called upon to function as a healthy body loving one another, serving one another and bearing with one another. Yet, we are called upon to go to a more proactive posture and that is to receive one another. This message exams the exhortation, exceptions and exhibition of our call to receive one another. This message was presented on June 17, 2012 by Bob Corbin

As we seek to fulfill the commands to love one another and serve one another within the context of the local assembly there will be special people who making loving and serving a little more difficult. It is for those times when we as a body are commanded to bear with one another. Bearing with one another requires self-examination (considering your own imperfections), humility, gentleness and longsuffering. If we truly want to see the local body be unified and growing in Christ, we must be committed to bearing with one another. This message was presented on June 10, 2012 by Bob Corbin

Scriptures tells us that the Greatest Command is to love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul and mind. The greatest expression of our love for God is our service to God (Deut 10:12). Likewise, within the assembly of those who worship God, the greatest expression of loving one another is serving one another. However, serving one another means that we must humble ourselves and lift up others. Their values and their needs must be considered as greater than my own; this is the mind of Christ. What mindset do you have regarding the value and needs of others? This message was presented on June 3, 2012 by Bob Corbin

As children are a reflection of their parents, so believers should be of their heavenly Father. Just as there are certain character traits that are symbolic of certain families, so there should be of the family of God. That primary character trait should be love. We are told in 1 John 4 that our love is an evidence of true believers. Those who know God will love, those who do not love do not know God. That love will be manifested in our actions as a result of being sincerely present in our hearts. However, we are not commanded to love only those that we like. Rather, we are called upon to love all beleivers including those that we struggle with liking. We need to recall that we love God because He first loved us. God loved us while we were at enmity with Him. When we love one another, we give the greatest reflection of Christ to the world. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 7, 2012 by Bob Corbin