Month of Missions Daily Devotions.

Dear Friends and Colleagues

Greetings in the lovely name of our Lord Jesus!

Since 2014 the M&D committee has been sending out daily devotions for the month of October which has been set aside as Missions Month. These have been written by various ministers and members in the denomination and have been well-received. We also supply a preaching plan with sermon outlines for October which you can use in preparing sermons for each Sunday’s theme.

When he embarked on his moderatorial journey, the Rt Rev Amon Kasambala introduced his theme as “Partners in Mission.” Taking our cue from him, the Mission and Discipleship Committee offers the 2025 Month of Mission devotions and sermon series under this same theme which captures the essence of the Missio Dei and that God calls us to be co-workers in the fields of evangelism, witness and the building of a just society.

For each week of October the devotions will follow the theme of partners in Mission. Each Sunday will launch a new theme.
The first week of October – Who is the God of Mission?
Week starting Sunday 5 Oct – What is He doing? (Missio Dei!)
Week starting Sunday 12 Oct – Mission is everywhere!
Week starting Sunday 19 Oct – How do we engage?
Week starting Sunday 26 Oct – The Challenges and Dangers.

There are two parts to the Month of Mission:

1. The Daily Devotions.
   In the past we did devotions for the whole of October, but found that the uptake on weekends was lower. So we will only do weekdays.
   The Devotions can be received by email or whatsapp
   or found on our blog or UPCSA facebook page.

   People can subscribe
   to the emails at: https://rb.gy/ppoxpx (This is case-sensitive )
   to the whatsapps at: https://rb.gy/batqp (Enter this into your phone’s browser)

   The blog is at: https://emmdev.blogspot.com/

2. The Sunday Sermon Outlines:
   There are four Sundays in October and there are some suggested readings and titles below.

You can help us!

T he Going for Growth Project is about unleashing energy and creativity and inspiring growth throughout the denomination. We believe that these devotions will help with this,

Please share the this information as widely as possible.

In these challenging times we pray that these messages will be inspirational and a great blessing to many in the UPCSA.

Thanks and God bless,
Wayne van Heerden,
Richard Mkandawire,
Matshidiso Piroe,
Brian Mazanhi,
Stewart Gordon
and Theo Groeneveld
(Your Mission and Discipleship Month of Mission Team)

Appendix A: Readings for the Month

Partners In Mission

Appendix B: Sermon Outlines

Sunday 5 Oct: What is He doing? Missio Dei

Intro

In our reading, Jesus is exalted as the Son of God who laid down His life as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. The Jewish Christian communities were in danger of giving up their hope and faith in Christ, and going back to living according to the Law. But the Old Testament sacrifices are no longer necessary because Christ’s death was a sacrifice for all sin.

Reading

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:1-3)

Introduction

Communication is the key to success in any relationship. Whether in marriages, businesses, families, politics, in our nations even within the church.

Whenever these relationships struggle it is due to failure to communicate.

We can say that we all recognize the necessity of a good communication.

And we are told that there are many ways to communicate and improve our communication habits.

Our God also has many ways to communicate to us.

Main Message

The sending of Jesus was God’s way of communication.

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways”,

Our passage is reminding us of few things about Jesus Christ:

1. Jesus as God’s prophetic voice
   Christ indeed did not come to abolish the past but He comes to fulfil it. There is no revelation of the Old Testament without Jesus.

   God spoke in different times with different means of communication.

   But when He spoke through Jesus, He spoke perfectly, decisively and finally. Jesus Christ is the greatest prophet of all times. And we must all listen to Him.

   God spoke through Ezekiel who portrayed God’s glory – but Jesus reflected God’s glory.

   Jeremiah described God’s power – but Christ displayed it.

   Isaiah explained God’s nature as holy, righteous and merciful – but Jesus manifested it.

   That is why we must all listen to Him because He is far greater than these prophets.

2. Jesus is the Son of God
   Jesus was more than a leader, He was both human and divine.

   And we are here reminded of the message of the Son.

   His mission, His reign, His superiority, achievements, nature and obedience are found later in other passages.

   The Son’s way is ordained by God and all who refuse to walk in His way, are opposing the revelation of the truth from God.

   And they cannot receive salvation because they have rejected the Saviour.

3. God has appointed Jesus as the heir of all things.
   As the Son inherited all things, all those who believe in Him share with Him the inheritance.

   One commentator John Trapp says: “Be married to this Heir and have all!”

4. Jesus is the perfect revelation of God
   The character of God became visible in Jesus. Meaning that if we want to see God we must look at Jesus.

   We can never know God if we turn our back on Jesus in whom God is perfectly revealed.

5. Jesus is God’s perfect sacrifice
   Jesus’ work of redemption is emphasized here. Now we know not only who Christ is but also what He did.

   Jesus’ blood was shed once for all on the cross. This act of salvation will never be repeated.

   Jesus is God’s sacrifice for our sins and His death is the finished work.

   Jesus accomplished the mission God has send Him to do.

Conclusion

God became a human being and lived among us. And Jesus spoke to us through His Father, and through His death and resurrection He enabled us to call God our Father.

Jesus is God’s perfect communication that He loves us. Jesus is the complete revelation of God to us.

Therefore, the communication from God is incomplete without the knowledge of Jesus.

Without Jesus we will fall apart.

So let us cling to Him and He will support us in God’s mission and through every trial and joy.

Sunday 12 Oct: Mission is everywhere. Even the Marketplace.

Introduction to the reading

Our reading comes from Mt.28:16-20

It comes after the account of how the Pharisees tried to cover up the resurrection.

It also notes that even some of Jesus’ followers had been doubting.

So Jesus appears to them just before His ascension.

These are His final instructions.

When we listen to the passage we need to recognise that in Jesus’ instructions there are four verbs but they are two distinct kind of verbs:

• The verbs: “Go”, “Baptise” and “Teaching” are participle verbs. (A verb acting like a noun)
  Not “go” but “one going”
  Not “baptising” but “being a baptiser”
  Not “teaching” but “being a teacher”

• The verb “Make disciples” is an imperative verb. A clear instruction.

Reading Mt.28:16-20

NIV: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

NLT: Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him-but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in Heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Intro

During World War II, a Japanese officer named Hiroo Onoda was sent to a Philippine island with strict orders: never surrender, never stop fighting, and wait for further instructions. The war ended in 1945, but Onoda refused to believe it. He dismissed the leaflets announcing Japan’s surrender as enemy tricks. For nearly 30 years, he lived in the jungle, raiding farms and hiding from locals, convinced the war was still on. When he was finally discovered in 1974, he would not give up his rifle until his old commanding officer came personally and released him from his orders.

That’s an extreme example of obeying a leader’s final instructions!

There are a few things we can learn from Matthews “Great Commission”

Main Message

1. The Setting of the Command

• This is not a random moment: it comes after doubt, confusion, and opposition.

• Jesus speaks His final instructions into a world of unbelief and uncertainty.

• Our mission doesn’t wait for “perfect circumstances”: it begins in the midst of challenge and weakness.

2. The Authority of the Commander

• Jesus begins with: “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”

• He is not just a teacher giving good advice: He is the risen King with universal authority.

• Our obedience to His command flows out of His authority, not our ability.

3. The Heart of the Command: Make Disciples

• The one imperative verb – make disciples.

• Everything else (going, baptising, teaching) serves this single purpose.

• The church doesn’t exist to maintain itself or run programmes; it exists to make followers of Jesus.

4. The Lifestyle of the Command: Going, Baptising, Teaching

• Going: Wherever we are, as we move through life, we are disciple-makers. Mission isn’t only across the seas; it’s across the street. It in our homes, families, workplaces, marketplaces and wherever we can find people.

• Baptising: Bringing people into visible belonging – marking their identity in the Name of the Triune God.

• Teaching: Not just information transfer, but forming people to obey everything Jesus commanded.

5. The Promise of the Commander’s Presence

• Jesus does not send His disciples out alone: He promises: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

• This is the fuel for mission: we go with His authority, but also with His presence and power.

Conclusion: The Call to Obedience

Like Hiroo Onoda, we are called to take our Commander’s last instructions seriously.

Unlike Onoda, we are not obeying in futility – our Lord is alive, His victory is secure, and His presence sustains us.

The question for us: are we living as people who truly believe the last instructions matter?

Is it the Great Commission or the Great Omission?

That’s the power of obeying a commander’s last instructions. And in Matthew 28, Jesus gives His final command to His followers: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” The difference is that we are not obeying in vain – our Commander is alive, the victory has already been won, and He is with us to the very end of the age.

Sunday 19^th How do we engage??

1. SUNDAY 19^th October 2025: “How Do We Engage??”

Introduction

In the business of life, where we have many demands placed on us, how do we engage with God?

This coming week, we going to look at this crucial question and offer some tools to assist. These tools are not meant to add more to your to-do list. It’s about clearing space to engage with God. I like to call them “Spiritual Habits” however you can call them what is helpful to you, in your context. Spiritual Habits will show how small, consistent rhythms can lead to a life transformed.

Reading 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) (also refer to Matthew 5:16)

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”

Background to 1 Peter 3:15

1 Peter is written by the apostle Peter, to the early Christian church being persecuted in Asia Minor and was meant to strengthen and encourage them in their affliction. In this, Peter’s letter is not meant for any one congregation, but intentionally written to all Christians who would face persecution for their hope in Christ Jesus. In 1 Peter 3, the overall theme is understood to be about submission and suffering and verses 13-17 is on how to handle things when our good, is returned with evil.

Main Message

The Apostle Peter lived in the real world, juts like we do and Peter knew that people often repaid good with evil responses. This can become disheartening and one might be left thinking why bother, however Christians are called to give a reason for our hope, reflected in the nature of Jesus Christ.

To put this another way, we are not to fear in the face of suffering and rather work on ourselves in keeping hope, as God works in us to be more like Jesus Christ.

I’ve found this happens most profoundly in times one feels afflicted. I recall a very painful time in my life, when I did everything, I thought was good and Godly, however the other person’s response was malicious and evil. Perhaps reading this, you are reminded of just a time in your life.

How do we engage with God, not only in the business of life, but when we feel afflicted for doing good?

Two words come to mind, that of Spiritual Habits.

1. Spiritual

The word ‘spiritual’ has become to mean a lot of things to many people, especially someone who does not want to identity with any one religion. When someone says they are ‘spiritual’ it is generally understood that they believe in “connecting to something greater than oneself”.

For me, being truly spiritual, means to have hope as one reflects something of the nature of Jesus Christ. It means desiring and seeking change in one’s inner self. It is impossible to cultivate true spirituality by our own works, our own energy, or our own strength. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit, can we hope to put to death the sinful nature.

2. Habits

Habits are actions that have become natural because of continued repetition. They are the things we do without thinking and can be life giving or not (good habits verse bad habits).

Our spiritual lives develop and grow through daily, moment-by-moment spiritual habits, that place us in a space for ever-increasing fellowship with the one true Triune God (God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Spending time in prayer, reading God’s Word and meditating on its truths, the role of the Church and hearing the whispers of God in the “marketplace”, are all part of nurturing our relationship and engaging with the triune God. The more we know God, the more we reflect God (2 Corinthians 3:18).

I share this because we know that Christians do not simply come out of the waters of baptism and immediately become effective disciples. We notice that through practice and discipline in the Holy Spirit, we cultivate spiritual habits that become a lifestyle and eventually enable us to become more effective as true Christians in serving God and God’s Church, especially in times of suffering.

Application

By engaging with God, through spiritual habits, we give a special place to God in our hearts and are better positioned to explain our sure hope in Jesus despite our circumstances.

Be intentional this week, by beginning each day in surrender to God and by acknowledge God’s sovereignty over our day. Read and meditate on the daily devotions, as they build on this week’s theme of “How Do We Engage??”

When unbelievers see a Christian’s great hope in the face of persecution or suffering, they will naturally want to know the reason for that hope. This gives us an opening to share the gospel in a way that is gentle and respectful.

Conclusion

The Good News is that spiritual habits help us to engage with God, as we examine our faith and set apart Christ Jesus as Lord. It is where our hope is found, so that in our suffering for doing good, when others ask, we are able “to give an answer” by pointing them to Christ Jesus.

In the words of Apostle Peter, “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:17).

SUNDAY 26 OCT: The challenges and Dangers?

Introduction to the reading

The reading comes from Matthew 5:1-10. Matthew chapters 5 to 7 are part of the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 5:3-12 known as “The Beatitudes”.
The Beatitudes are a series of eight blessings spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12) and in Luke. Derived from the Latin word “beatus,” meaning blessed or happy, they identify virtues like poverty in spirit, meekness, mercy, and righteousness, stating that those who embody these qualities will receive divine favour and blessings, particularly the kingdom of heaven.

Amid the dangers and challenges of partnering in mission there are the blessings.

Reading Mt.5:1-10

NIV: Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

NLT: One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Intro

St. Francis of Assisi is believed to have said: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

The Beatitudes guide us in the challenges and dangers of discipleship.

There are a few things we can learn from Beatitudes.

Main Message

1. We need humility

• Blessed are the poor, mournful & meek.

• Each has there reward when we seek humility.

2. We put God first

• “Seek ye first.” (Matthew 6:33)

• We eat on His Word.

• We are nourished in prayer.

3. We pursue the things of God

• Be merciful.

• Be of pure heart.

• Be a peacemaker.

4. We will face challenges & dangers

• Persecution.

• The reward: The Kingdom of Heaven.

Conclusion: A reminder

1 John 4:4: “”You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

As Partners in Missions, we will face challenges and dangers.

Finally, we are involved in the MISSION OF GOD, where God wants us to be, and not looking after the well-being of humanity (charity).