CCF International Church

This week’s perspective is presented by Ap Robson Berdeville of Ministério Internacional Crescendo em Fé (MICEF)

Ap Robson and Ps Cristiane Berdeville are Pastors of Ministério Internacional Crescendo em Fé (MICEF) in Rio de Janeiro

Taking the Yoke of Christ – Sonship and Rest

1 Peter 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.” (NIV)

Introduction This letter was written by Peter to believers living in various regions of what is now modern-day Turkey. He addresses them as God’s elect—those chosen by God—and as exiles or strangers, emphasizing that their ultimate citizenship is in God’s Kingdom rather than in this world.

Peter reminds believers of two foundational truths:

1. You Are Chosen by God

Your relationship with God is rooted in His grace, purpose, and eternal plan. Before the foundations of the world, God knew you and called you to belong to Him.

2. You Are a Pilgrim in This World

While Christians live in earthly societies, their deepest identity and hope are found in Christ and His eternal Kingdom.

We should never forget who we are: people loved by God, called by Him, and living with an eternal perspective.

Even when you feel out of place in the world, you are known by God, chosen in Christ, and part of His people.

Christ Living in Us The Gospel has become a living reality through Jesus Christ. God is living in us through His Spirit, and His character is being revealed through our lives. Christ lives in us, and God is transforming us into the likeness of His Son.This is the profound spiritual union taught throughout the New Testament.

The Believer’s Union with Christ “But whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.” — 1 Corinthians 6:17

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” — Galatians 2:20

When Christ lives in us, we are no longer defined by our old life. We have been given a new identity, a new purpose, and a new relationship with God.

His presence strengthens us, guides us, and transforms us from within.

Because Christ Lives in You – You are never alone. – You have access to His strength and grace. – You are called to reflect His character. – Your life becomes a testimony of His power and love. – You can find true rest by taking His yoke upon you.

Jesus said ….. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

The yoke of Christ is not a burden of religious performance; it is a relationship of sonship, surrender, and fellowship with Him. As we walk with Christ, we discover the rest that comes from trusting the Father’s will.

Conclusion To be one with Christ means: – We belong to Him. – We share in His victory over sin and death. – His Spirit lives within us. – Our lives should reflect His character.

This union is not merely symbolic; it is a spiritual reality. As branches are connected to the vine, believers are connected to Christ and receive life from Him.

“I am the vine; you are the branches.” — John 15:5

When we abide in Christ, His presence becomes visible in our words, actions, attitudes, and relationships. We are called to live in such a way that the world can see Jesus through us.

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — Colossians 1:27

May we continually take the yoke of Christ upon us, walk in our identity as sons and daughters of God, and experience the rest that comes from abiding in Him.

TAKING THE YOKE OF CHRIST – SONSHIP AND REST

Notes extracted from the book “Rest in the Day of Perils” –  Dr S.Y. Govender

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus advocated the taking of His yoke to find rest for our souls. Jesus was yoked to Father God. 

John 10:30 I and My Father are one.”

His statements declare His intimate joining with Father God.

• If you know Me, you know My Father (John 14:7)
• If you receive Me, then you receive my Father (Matthew 10:40, Mark 9:37)
• If you imitate Me, you are imitating My Father, because I do exactly what My Father does (John 5:19, John 6:38, John 4.34)
• If you see Me, you see My Father (John 14:9)
• I speak what My Father speaks – if you hear Me, you hear My Father (John 12:49-50)

The implication of His statement : “Take My yoke upon you” is that we also must become sons of God.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

The word “sons” is derived from the Greek word “teknon” (G5043). “Huios” and “teknon” are two Greek words translated as sons in King James Version, obscuring the subtle but important differences

TEKNON Teknon (G5043) means child, descendent, inhabitant (Strongs Greek Lexicon)

• one who has been birthed to another. Emphasises one’s origin. All believers become tekna by faith
• Emphasises true, genuine children (Thayer)
• Emphasises affectionate relationship (Thayer)
• Emphasises a childlike dependent relationship – not childishness (Helps Word Studies)

Teknon points to one’s origin and implies one who is cherished and loved by the Father. It is an expression of tenderness and affection. The term is used to affirm the deep love and care of the Father for His son. The older son in the prodigal story of Luke 15 was pacified by being called teknon. The father referred to his younger son as huios.

The use of teknon in the following scriptures :

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons (teknon) of God, even to them that believe on his name:

This scripture should read “become the children of God”. All of us become children of God by faith – believing and receiving Christ.

1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children (teknon) of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Here also, teknon should be translated as children. The word implies deep affection for all those who are children of God

Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

In Verses 16 and 17, the word “children” is teknon. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are teknon – states our point of origin. We are born from above. We are authentically saved ones. We are heirs or possessors of God. We can be possessors if God and still have no authority.

Galatians 4:1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

Here Paul uses the word nepios to indicate that you could be authentic, but as long as you are immature you will still live as a slave.

Paul continues in Roman 8

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

The created order is waiting for the manifestation of HUIOS SONS – MATURE SONS

The father/son wineskin is inspired by the relationships within the Holy Trinity.

John 10:30 “I and My Father are one.”

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

Jesus made a clear, unambiguous statement that triggered the Jews to the point where they wanted to stone him (John 10:31-32). He was accused of blasphemy for “making Himself a God being a man”.

To understand the words of Jesus, we must understand the essential doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

The three persons of the Trinity, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are co-equal and co- eternal and share the same Divine nature and essence. However, they are  functionally distinct from each other.

The three persons of the Trinity are not conflicted in their doctrines. They are inseparable, indivisible and united in purpose.

Jesus prayed, just before His crucifixion,  that this model of oneness may be manifested and visible in His disciples 

John 17:11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.

Jesus prays for oneness among all believers 

John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

This expression of oneness within the Trinity must be represented within a father/son wineskin

This scripture demonstrates the transition from a “teknon” son (child like, immature) to a “huios” son (spiritually, emotionally mature)

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.