THE MANDATE TO OCCUPY TILL I COME

THE MANDATE TO OCCUPY TILL I COME: INVOLVES FOLLOWING GOD’S PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT IN YOUR LIFE! 

“And he CALLED his ten servants, and DELIVERED them ten pounds, and SAID unto them, OCCUPY TILL I COME” Luke 19:13. 

“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not DISOBEDIENT unto the HEAVENLY VISION” Acts 26:19. 

There is the CHOICE to make in life in terms of either being — FULFILLED in life and godliness [godly living] — or to make the CHOICE of being — MERELY SUCCESSFUL in life, as many have found themselves. 

And it is only by following God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT in your life that FULFILMENT in Christ Jesus’ stead comes to reality. 

That is what it means for one to earnestly enact the charged, assigned and commissioned mandate to “OCCUPY TILL I COME”, so that you do not just attain success but the fulfilment therein. 

“And say to Archippus, TAKE HEED to the MINISTRY which thou hast RECEIVED in the Lord, that thou FULFIL it” Colossians 4:17. 

The quest in the concept of “OCCUPY TILL I COME” is that you are prepared to let God be the lead in the concept, especially when you are subjected to circumstances that are different from your expectations, as Philip the evangelist experienced by following God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT for his life — Acts 8:1-40; Acts 21:7-9. 

As Philip the evangelist, in obedience — can you afford to move from a place of GLAMOUR SUCCESS to a DESERT PLACE in life when it is God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT for you? 

And especially when you know that in God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT, the ride and drive may not always be pleasing, but you can deduce that it is your place of FULFILMENT in Him. 

I want you to know for sure that doing life and living godly in Christ Jesus is all about following God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT for your life and possible ministry, rather than just having mere glamour SUCCESS for men to applaud and hype. 

Following God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT for your life is the only guarantee for God’s APPROVAL and your fulfilment in Him. 

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this PURPOSE the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” 1 John 3:8 (John 18:37) 

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man APPROVED (ACCREDITED , ATTESTED) of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know” Acts 2:22/Emphasis Mine. 

“And we know [with great CONFIDENCE] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] CAUSES all things to work together [as a PLAN] for good for those who love God, to those who are CALLED according to His PLAN and PURPOSE” Romans 8:28/Amplified (Ephesians 1:11). 

“Study and do your best to present yourself to God APPROVED, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2:15/Amplified. 

A person who is keen only on a MERE GLAMOUR SUCCESS inclination and attachment will not see the need to leave such a GLAMOUR place to attend to a single person’s business, outfit, or Gospel ministry, as Philip the evangelist did in obedience — especially to go to such a place in the DESERT, (remote) which was accomplished by Philip the Evangelist. 

He saw obedience to God’s instructions as far higher, richer and more fulfilling, as written in Acts 8:8, 26-29. 

“. . . 8 And there was GREAT REJOICING in that CITY . . . 26 But an angel of the Lord SAID to Philip, RISE and PROCEED southward or at midday on the road that runs from Jerusalem down to GAZA. This is the DESERT [route]. 27 So he GOT UP and WENT. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch of GREAT AUTHORITY under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to WORSHIP. 28 And he was [now] returning, and sitting in his chariot he was reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the [Holy] Spirit SAID to Philip, GO FORWARD and join yourself to this chariot . . .” Acts 8:1-8, 26-40. 

“And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. 8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of PHILIP THE EVANGELIST, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy” Acts 8:7-9. 

And such obedience of Evangelist Philip to DIVINE order and command is only possible for a person whose objective is not about being successful or having global or glamour success, but about being in obedience and FULFILMENT in Christ Jesus’ stead in God. 

Evangelist Philip was someone whose goal was to be a disciple and follower of God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT; and one who truly believed in the WHOLENESS of God’s lead and would go WHEREVER the Lord LEADS, as Philip the evangelist did in Acts 8. 

Such an attitude towards God’s intent is what I call and consider as one who is — OCCUPYING TILL HE COMES and OBEYING THE HEAVENLY MANDATE or ASSIGNMENT, irrespective of the norm and prejudice that is about the person. 

Hence I am asking you today — WHAT IS YOUR WORTH IN GOD’S BLESSEDNESS IN CHRIST JESUS? 
Or how do you VALUE yourself in life and godly living in Christ Jesus? 

Is it by material achievement called SUCCESS, or by being ACCOMPLISHED in God’s given vision and mission called FULFILMENT in His assignment, irrespective of the norm about you? 

Are you just a mere glamour SUCCESS-driven person, or a person of FULFILMENT in the heavenly assignment? 

It must be noted for sure that SUCCESS is good, and it is of God. However, God’s earnest desire is for us in Christ Jesus’ stead to have and achieve FULFILMENT, which is far beyond just being SUCCESSFUL. 

For we are blessed of God and He wants the best for us, and to have us be successful in our life’s endeavours — but not at the EXPENSE of His eternal PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT for our well-being in Him. Amen. 

So, there is the need to balance the pursuit for success and to be fulfilled in God by following His PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT for us respectively, as we are charged to “OCCUPY TILL I COME.” 

“Beloved, I pray that in every way you may SUCCEED and PROSPER and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]” 3 John 2/Amplified. 

“BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath BLESSED us with all SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS in HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ: . . . 5 having PREDESTINATED us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, . . . 11 in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being PREDESTINATED according to the PURPOSE of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” Ephesians 1:3, 5, 11. 

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way PROSPEROUS, and then thou shalt have GOOD SUCCESS” Joshua 1:8. 

Unlike SUCCESS which is relative to all, FULFILMENT is not only of God, but it is a place of being readily, willingly and obediently set to accomplish in the wholeness, completeness and fulfilling of the Lord’s given and driven — PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT — in LIFE and GODLY LIVING. 

And it is in doing this God-given and God-driven charge in an unhindered and uncompromising way, with nothing of sorts outside God’s intent, just as our Lord Christ Jesus did — 1 John 3:8; John 18:37; and as Apostle Paul did in obedience — Philippians 3:1-16. 

And upon this same basis, others like Archippus were exhorted, admonished and charged to do likewise also, as written. 

“And say to Archippus, TAKE HEED to the MINISTRY which thou hast RECEIVED in the Lord, that thou FULFIL it” Colossians 4:17. 

“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not DISOBEDIENT unto the HEAVENLY VISION” Acts 26:19. 

BEING FULFILLED in life and godliness [godly living] is about living a God-GIVEN and God-DRIVEN PURPOSE life; that is what brings about MEANINGFUL FULFILMENT in God’s BLESSEDNESS in Christ Jesus’ stead; which is far beyond just being a merely SUCCESSFUL person by material accumulation that has no heavenly implications under God’s assigned PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT. 

Therefore I urge you today to follow God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT for your fulfilment in Him, in Christ Jesus’ stead, because success is RELATIVE in matters of doing life and living godly. 

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT: 

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this PURPOSE the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” 1 John 8:3. 

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. TO THIS END WAS I BORN, AND FOR THIS CAUSE CAME I INTO THE WORLD, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” John 18:37. 

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his PURPOSE. 29 For whom he did FOREKNOW, he also did PREDESTINATE to be CONFORMED to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did PREDESTINATE, them he also CALLED: and whom he called, them he also JUSTIFIED: and whom he justified, them he also GLORIFIED” Romans 8:28-30. 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath BLESSED us with all SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS in HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ . . . 5 having PREDESTINATED us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, . . . 11 in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being PREDESTINATED according to the PURPOSE of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” Ephesians 1:3, 5, 11. 

“And say to Archippus, TAKE HEED to the MINISTRY which thou hast RECEIVED in the Lord, that thou FULFIL it” Colossians 4:17. 

“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not DISOBEDIENT unto the HEAVENLY VISION” Acts 26:19. 

“Philip [the deacon, not the apostle] went down to the city of SAMARIA and PROCLAIMED the Christ (the Messiah) to them [the people]; 6 And GREAT CROWDS of people with one accord listened to and heeded what was said by Philip, as they heard him and watched the miracles and wonders which he kept performing [from time to time]. 7 For foul spirits came out of many who were possessed by them, screaming and shouting with a loud voice, and many who were suffering from palsy or were crippled were restored to health. 8 AND THERE WAS GREAT REJOICING IN THAT CITY . . . 26 But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Rise and proceed southward or at midday on the road that runs from Jerusalem down to Gaza. This is the DESERT route]. 27 So he GOT UP and WENT. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship. 28 And he was [now] returning, and sitting in his chariot he was reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the [Holy] Spirit SAID to Philip, GO FORWARD and join yourself to this chariot . . .” (Acts 8:1-40) Kindly read the entire chapter for context. 

“And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. 8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of PHILIP THE EVANGELIST, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy” Acts 8:7-9. 

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way PROSPEROUS, and then thou shalt have GOOD SUCCESS” Joshua 1:8. 

“Beloved, I pray that in every way you may SUCCEED and PROSPER and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]” 3 John 2/Amplified. 

SUMMARY: 
The message is a Kingdom charge titled “THE MANDATE TO — OCCUPY TILL I COME: INVOLVES FOLLOWING GOD’S PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT IN YOUR LIFE!” 
Luke 19:13; Acts 26:19 

It calls the believer to choose FULFILMENT over MERE GLAMOUR SUCCESS, by aligning to God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT even when it leads to uncomfortable places like the DESERT. Using Philip the evangelist as the pattern, and Archippus and Apostle Paul as witnesses, it teaches that true FULFILMENT is found in obedience, not in applause, and that SUCCESS without God’s mandate is empty. 

KEY POINTS 

1. THE MANDATE IS TO OCCUPY TILL HE COMES 
   Christ DELIVERED us talents and said OCCUPY TILL I COME — Luke 19:13. To occupy is to actively do God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT, not to sit idle or chase men’s definition of success — Colossians 4:17; Acts 26:19.
2. THE CHOICE: FULFILMENT VS MERE SUCCESS 
   You must choose between being FULFILLED in life and godliness, or being MERELY SUCCESSFUL. SUCCESS is relative and good — Joshua 1:8; 3 John 2. But God’s desire is FULFILMENT, which is far higher and carries eternal weight — Ephesians 1:3-5, 11.
3. THE PATTERN: PHILIP THE EVANGELIST 
   Philip left a GLAMOROUS CITY with GREAT REJOICING to go to a DESERT place in obedience — Acts 8:1-8, 26-29. Later he hosted ministry in Caesarea — Acts 21:8-9. He valued God’s lead over reputation. His life proves that obedience to God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT leads to FULFILMENT even in hard routes.
4. CHRIST AND PAUL: THE STANDARD OF PURPOSE 
   Jesus came FOR THIS PURPOSE to destroy the works of the devil — 1 John 3:8; John 18:37. Paul was NOT DISOBEDIENT to the HEAVENLY VISION — Acts 26:19. He pressed to know Christ, not just to succeed — Philippians 3:1-16.
5. GOD’S PLAN CAUSES ALL THINGS TO WORK TOGETHER 
   God CAUSES all things to work together for good for those CALLED according to His PLAN AND PURPOSE — Romans 8:28-30. We are PREDESTINATED and BLESSED with all SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS in Christ — Ephesians 1:3, 5, 11.
6. APPROVAL COMES THROUGH OBEDIENCE, NOT HYPE 
   Jesus was APPROVED of God by signs and wonders — Acts 2:22. We are to STUDY and present ourselves APPROVED to God, rightly handling the Word — 2 Timothy 2:15. God’s APPROVAL follows FULFILMENT, not just ACHIEVEMENT.
7. FULFILMENT IS GOD-GIVEN AND GOD-DRIVEN 
   FULFILMENT is being readily, willingly and obediently set to complete God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT in LIFE and GODLY LIVING, without compromise — just as Christ did. 

CALL TO ACTION 

1. CHECK YOUR WORTH: WHAT IS YOUR WORTH IN GOD’S BLESSEDNESS IN CHRIST JESUS? Do you VALUE yourself by material SUCCESS or by ACCOMPLISHMENT in God’s assignment? 
2. CHOOSE OBEDIENCE OVER GLAMOUR: Are you willing, like Philip, to leave a place of GLAMOUR for a DESERT if that is God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT for you? 
3. TAKE HEED TO YOUR MINISTRY: TAKE HEED to the ministry you have RECEIVED in the Lord, that you FULFIL it — Colossians 4:17. Don’t be DISOBEDIENT to the HEAVENLY VISION — Acts 26:19. 
4. LIVE GOD-GIVEN AND GOD-DRIVEN: Set yourself to complete God’s PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT in an unhindered and uncompromising way. Let your life move. 
5. BALANCE SUCCESS WITH FULFILMENT: Pursue success, but never at the EXPENSE of God’s eternal PLAN, PURPOSE AND PURSUIT for your well-being.