MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2025

The Transformative Power of a Christ-Centered Ministry

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION:

TEXT: JOHN 1:35-42 (NIV)35: The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.36: When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”37: When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.38: Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”39: “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
40: Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.

41: The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).

42: And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

MESSAGE:The Unwavering Witness: John the Baptist’s Consistent Focus

In a world perpetually shifting, where allegiances waver and priorities change like the wind, the human tendency is often towards inconsistency. Man is known to be consistently inconsistent. In other words, man’s consistent nature is inconsistencies. We often find ourselves pulled in different directions, swayed by trends, or lured by personal gain. But this unflattering description, thankfully, is not true of John the Baptist. He stands as a towering example of unwavering commitment and singular focus. He remained remarkably consistent in terms of the primary object of his ministry and his message: Jesus Christ.

Yesterday, we reflected on John the Baptist’s initial, bold proclamation: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Today, we witness his consistency. The very next day, John is again with two of his disciples. When he sees Jesus passing by, he doesn’t seize the opportunity to reinforce his own ministry, to retain his followers, or to divert attention. Instead, his gaze immediately fixes on Jesus, and his lips utter the same profound, definitive declaration: “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36).

This repeated, unadulterated proclamation speaks volumes about John’s character and the divine nature of his mission. He was not a showman seeking a following, but a herald consumed by the glory of the one he announced. His consistency mirrors the apostle Paul’s resolve, who famously declared, “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified… My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:2-5).

Like Paul, John understood that the core of his ministry was to reveal Christ, not to promote himself. His message was devoid of personal anecdotes designed to impress, elaborate rhetorical flourishes, or any subtle manipulation to build his own kingdom. His power did not come from human eloquence or intellectual persuasion, but from the raw, undeniable truth of who Jesus is, authenticated by the power of the Spirit that he himself had witnessed descending and remaining on Jesus.

The African Church and the Peril of Distraction

Today, particularly in many parts of Nigeria and indeed across the globe, we face a crucial challenge in the church. Often, most of the messages we hear lack the profound demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power that characterized the ministries of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles. Instead, we sometimes rely on human gimmicks, elaborate rhetoric, and even outright deception to draw crowds and evoke emotional responses.

This is a stark departure from the biblical model. When the focus shifts from Christ and the genuine power of the Holy Spirit to human personality, entertainment, or manipulative tactics, the essence of the Gospel is diluted. The church risks becoming a spectacle rather than a sanctuary, a human enterprise rather than a divine movement. The faith of believers, instead of resting on God’s power, tragically begins to rest on the wisdom or charisma of men. This creates a fragile faith, easily swayed when the human instrument proves fallible or the theatrics cease to impress.

John the Baptist, despite his unique calling and powerful anointing, is an excellent, timeless model for the church, especially in contexts grappling with these challenges. His virtues provide a blueprint for authentic ministry:

Contentment: John was content with his role as a forerunner. He didn’t crave the spotlight or the status of being the Messiah. His joy was in seeing Jesus glorified.

Humility: His repeated declaration, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30), epitomizes true humility. He redirected all glory and attention to Jesus.

Focus: His ministry had a singular, unwavering focus: to prepare the way for the Lord and to point people to the Lamb of God.

Fearlessness of Losing Disciples: This is perhaps one of the most remarkable and challenging aspects of John’s ministry for leaders today. When his disciples heard him point to Jesus, they followed Jesus. John did not express regret, jealousy, or anger. He did not chase after them to retain them. He understood his purpose was to lead people to Christ, not to himself.

John did not see the ministry as an arena for competition but as a platform for complementing one another. He understood the divine synergy of Kingdom work, where different gifts and callings work together to achieve God’s ultimate purpose. His vision was Christ-centered, not ministry-centered or self-centered. This spirit of cooperation, rather than competition, is desperately needed in the body of Christ today.

The First Call: From John to Jesus

The beauty of John’s unwavering focus is seen in its immediate effect: “When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.” (John 1:37). This is the goal of every true gospel proclamation – to lead people directly to Christ. John’s testimony was so compelling, so focused, and so clearly Spirit-inspired that it caused his own followers to shift their allegiance, not to another ministry, but to the Messiah himself.

Jesus, aware of their following, turns and asks a profound question: “What do you want?” (John 1:38). This is an eternal question, posed to every seeker. What are you looking for? Why are you following? It invites them to articulate their deepest desire. Their response, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” reveals a longing for more than just a fleeting encounter. They weren’t looking for a quick miracle or a passing show; they wanted to spend time with Him, to learn from Him, to be where He was.

Jesus’ invitation is simple yet transformative: “Come, and you will see.” (John 1:39). He doesn’t offer a philosophical lecture or a list of theological tenets right away. He invites them to an experience, to personal encounter. “Come” implies movement, action, and commitment. “You will see” implies revelation, understanding, and personal discovery.

And so, they went and saw where He was staying, and they spent that day with Him. It was about four in the afternoon. This detail about the time is significant; it underscores the profound impact of that afternoon. It implies a day so memorable that the precise hour was etched into their minds. It was an encounter that changed the trajectory of their lives. This personal time with Jesus, dwelling in His presence, is the foundation of genuine discipleship. It moves beyond mere admiration to intimate fellowship.

The Ripple Effect of a Personal Encounter: Andrew and Peter

One of the two disciples who heard John and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother (John 1:40). What Andrew did next is a powerful demonstration of the natural overflow of a genuine encounter with Christ.

“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ).” (John 1:41).

This is not merely evangelism; it is passionate, personal evangelism born out of a profound discovery. Andrew couldn’t keep this monumental truth to himself. The joy of finding the Messiah was too great to contain. His immediate thought was for his own family, starting with his brother, Simon. This highlights several principles:

Urgency of the Gospel: When you’ve truly found Christ, there’s an inherent urgency to share that discovery.
Personal Witness: It often starts with those closest to us – family, friends, colleagues.
Clarity of Message: Andrew’s message was simple, direct, and powerful: “We have found the Messiah!” He knew what he had found and wanted his brother to experience it too.
The Power of Invitation: Andrew didn’t just tell Simon about Jesus; he “brought him to Jesus.” True evangelism is not just sharing information; it is connecting people to the Source of life.

When Simon Peter was brought to Jesus, a monumental encounter unfolded: “Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).” (John 1:42).

This moment encapsulates Jesus’ divine insight and transformative power:

Divine Knowledge: Jesus knew Simon’s identity instantly, even his father’s name, revealing His omniscience.

Prophetic Calling: Jesus immediately gave him a new name – Cephas (Aramaic) or Peter (Greek), meaning “Rock.” This was a prophetic declaration of what Simon would become, not what he currently was. Simon was impulsive, often wavering, but Jesus saw beyond his present character to his future potential as a foundational leader in the church.

Transformative Power: This name change signified a complete change of identity and destiny. It foreshadowed the strong, unwavering apostle Peter would become, despite his initial flaws. This is what Jesus does for all who come to Him: He sees past our present weaknesses to our God-given potential and empowers us to become who He created us to be.

The ripple effect is clear: John pointed to Jesus, two disciples followed, one of them, Andrew, found his brother, and that brother, Simon Peter, went on to become one of the most pivotal figures in early Christianity. All because of a consistent, Christ-centered witness.

What is Your Focus in Life? A Call to Introspection

This powerful narrative brings us back to the crucial question posed in the devotional: What is your focus in life?

In an age of relentless self-promotion, personal branding, and the relentless pursuit of individual success, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. As believers, our lives are not our own; we have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God and to make Him known.

Is your focus:

On yourself? Your achievements, your comfort, your reputation?
On worldly success? Accumulating wealth, power, or status for its own sake?
On fleeting pleasures? Chasing after temporary gratifications that leave you empty?
On ministry metrics? Counting numbers, seeking recognition, comparing yourself to others?

Or is your focus, like John the Baptist’s, unwaveringly on Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God? A Christ-focused life means:

Prioritizing His will: Seeking His Kingdom first in every decision.
Living for His glory: Ensuring that all you do brings honor to His Name.
Being content in your assigned role: Whether prominent or behind the scenes, you serve Him with joy.
Exercising humility: Acknowledging that every good gift and every ability comes from Him.
Empowering others to find Him: Being a faithful witness and a conduit for others to encounter Christ.
Relying on the Holy Spirit’s power: Understanding that true impact comes not from human wisdom or gimmicks, but from God’s Spirit.

When our focus is squarely on Jesus, our lives become consistent. We are not tossed about by changing trends or personal ambitions. Our message remains clear. Our actions reflect His character. And our desire is simply to see others come to Him, just as Andrew passionately brought Simon to Jesus.

A Prayer for Focused Consistency

Let us heed the example of John the Baptist, that rare individual who remained steadfast in his divine assignment. In a world craving genuine encounter and authentic spiritual power, the church must return to the simplicity and purity of John’s message. We must be humble, focused, content in our calling, and fearless in pointing people directly to the Lamb of God, even if it means losing our “disciples” to the Master Himself.

When we prioritize Christ, then the Spirit’s power will manifest, and faith will rest not on the wisdom of men, but on the undeniable power of God.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, help me to be focused and consistent in doing Your will, just like John the Baptist. Deliver me from the distractions of self-promotion, worldly desires, and fleeting accolades. May my life, my words, and my every action point unwaveringly to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Grant me the grace to be humble, content in my calling, and fearless in drawing others to You. Let my faith and the faith of those I influence rest solely on Your power, and not on human wisdom or gimmicks. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.