September to Remember | Day 4
Speaker: Bishop Dominic Danda
Theme: Pleasing the Father
Scriptures: Matthew 3:12-16; Matthew 14:23-28; Philippians 2:3-12
Knowing Jesus Personally
Jesus is the love of God personified. The Christian life isn’t only about being around the church, hearing sermons, or watching others walk with God. Every believer must know Jesus personally.
Jesus wants to know you too. Our faith becomes personal when we choose Christ for ourselves and make His presence more valuable than anything or anyone else.
In Matthew 14, Peter chose to leave the security of the boat and walk toward Jesus on the water. His decision reminds us that following Jesus requires a personal response. We must choose to be with Jesus rather than remain comfortable without Him.
How Jesus Pleased the Father
1. Jesus Was Humble
Philippians 2:3-12 points us to the humility of Christ. Jesus humbled Himself and took the form of a servant. At His baptism, He allowed John to baptise Him even though Jesus was greater than John.
Jesus demonstrated that greatness in the Kingdom of God is not expressed through pride or the desire for recognition. It is expressed through humility and service.
The Church must humble itself before God and before one another. We should support the work of God without vainglory, competition, or the desire to receive praise from people.
Humility makes room for God to work through us. It allows us to serve without needing to be celebrated.
2. Jesus Was Obedient
Jesus pleased the Father through obedience. He accepted the mission God had given Him and remained committed to it even when that assignment involved pain, suffering, and sacrifice.
Philippians 2 shows us that Christ humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. His obedience wasn’t based on convenience. He obeyed because He was committed to the Father’s will.
As believers, obedience means choosing God’s will even when the assignment isn’t easy. We can’t separate our love for God from our willingness to obey Him.
Choose Jesus Above Everything
The message of Matthew 14 challenges us to make a deliberate choice. Peter didn’t simply admire Jesus from a distance. He responded to the word of Jesus and stepped out of the boat.
Every believer must come to the place where following Jesus becomes personal. Know Him. Walk with Him. Trust Him. Obey Him.
The question isn’t only whether we are in the church. The question is whether our lives are pleasing the Father.
What Does It Mean to Please the Father?
- Walk humbly before God.
- Serve without vainglory.
- Know Jesus personally.
- Choose Jesus above comfort and competing priorities.
- Obey God’s assignment even when it requires sacrifice.
- Support the work of God with humility and love.
A Call to the Church
The Church is called to become a people who know Jesus personally and reflect His character. Our service should come from love for Christ, our relationships should carry humility, and our obedience should demonstrate that the Father’s will matters more than our comfort.
As we continue September to Remember, may we examine our hearts and ask: Am I living in a way that pleases the Father?
May our answer be seen not only in what we say, but in how we walk, serve, humble ourselves, and obey.
Prayer: Father, help me to know Jesus personally. Teach me to walk in humility, serve without vainglory, and obey Your will even when obedience requires sacrifice. Let my life please You and let everything I do bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
September to Remember | Day 4
Bishop Dominic Danda
Body of Christ International Church
BCI Church | Nemoto Zvinonaka