John 20:21-22 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and he said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. (ESV)
Jesus gives the disciples three things here at what I like to call John's version of the Great Commission. 1) He gave them Peace. They must have been extremely sad, confused and afraid. 2) He gave them a sense of sent-ness, mission - to continue the work of Jesus on earth, from the Father God to the world. 3) He gave them the Holy Spirit "for as yet they did not understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead" (v. 9). I believe that the disciples were first converted (indwelt) at this moment.
I need these three things if I am going to go on mission. I need the peace that comes only with intimacy with God in the presence of Jesus. Brad, keep pressing in - He's pleased with you. I need to be sent by God. I don't need to create my own mission or dream up my own call. I need to know that I am sent by God for the mission that He has sovereignly created, molded, sanctified and prepared me for. I need the Holy Spirit. I need to believe that He is risen from the dead, Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God and that by believing I have life in His name (v. 31) (ζωὴν - life without end, blessed life that satisfies, eternal life).
God grant me peace. Jesus, Prince of Peace, I desperately need You, Your presence in my life. Here I am, Lord send me! Come Holy Spirit, I am Yours.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
Showing posts with label missional. Show all posts
Showing posts with label missional. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Kingdom, Self Centeredness & Missional Living
Luke 17:33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. (ESV)
Jesus answers the Pharisees question about the coming of the kingdom (they are thinking eschatologically) that it is already present in the person of Jesus and reign of God (ESV Study Bible, p. 1993 on v. 21). Then he goes on to describe the not yet of the consummation of the kingdom (v. 25f.) as a time of judgment (v. 29) and separation of the redeemed from the unregenerate (v. 34-35). Escape from the coming judgment is found in living a life that is (not self-centered) but outward focused/other-centered. Thus the missional nature of kingdom living.
I think maybe I'm beginning to get it. Self-centeredness and rebellion against God go hand in hand (ESV Study Bible, p. 1911 on Mark 8:35). And losing my self-centeredness means eternal communion with God (ibid.), both then and now.
God help me to find it. To finally get it. Holy Spirit come. Presence of Jesus come. Your kingdom come in the midst of me. Lord God, prepare my heart for missional other-centered, outward focused living - "Change My Heart O' God." Let my sufficeincy be found in You (Col. 1:15-23).
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
Jesus answers the Pharisees question about the coming of the kingdom (they are thinking eschatologically) that it is already present in the person of Jesus and reign of God (ESV Study Bible, p. 1993 on v. 21). Then he goes on to describe the not yet of the consummation of the kingdom (v. 25f.) as a time of judgment (v. 29) and separation of the redeemed from the unregenerate (v. 34-35). Escape from the coming judgment is found in living a life that is (not self-centered) but outward focused/other-centered. Thus the missional nature of kingdom living.
I think maybe I'm beginning to get it. Self-centeredness and rebellion against God go hand in hand (ESV Study Bible, p. 1911 on Mark 8:35). And losing my self-centeredness means eternal communion with God (ibid.), both then and now.
God help me to find it. To finally get it. Holy Spirit come. Presence of Jesus come. Your kingdom come in the midst of me. Lord God, prepare my heart for missional other-centered, outward focused living - "Change My Heart O' God." Let my sufficeincy be found in You (Col. 1:15-23).
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
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