I just love this "new" generation and all their new names for everything. Here are just a few that have come to mind....... Relevant, Innovative, Revolutionary, Community, Connection, Intentional and the list could go on and on.... They get so "into" their new words. Like a newborn who has just discovered their hand or their foot they are so intrigued by their discovery. Now do not get me wrong, I am not against "new" names but what I am concerned about is that we can actually begin to believe that those names are the reason or source of what God chooses to do....
One of those names is Missional. It's like we have just discovered this phrase and now it must have some sort of power that is unleashed when we use it or title something with it. Well, as I always like to do, lets look at the Scriptures and let them direct us in our thinking. Today's study will be thinking through this word MISSIONAL and one particular verse I was reading in Acts.....
Acts 1:8.... "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
What is so exciting here is that we actually see here the real source of becoming MISSIONAL, both personally and corporately as a church. Missional is not something derived by a new name but it is that which is a product of GOD Himself.
FIRST, the disciples needed power to do the work of God. They had failed miserably during the crucifixion of Christ and following His death. But once the Holy Spirit filled their hearts and minds, they burst out into Jerusalem with Heavens power. The change was more than dramatic it was SUPERNATURAL.... Now may I say, we too need HIS power to do HIS work. No name, title, methodology, phase or fad can produce the genuine work of God. We, the christian, we the church need HIS POWER. We need HIS SPIRIT empowering us for HIS work. Far too much today is being done in the energy of man's flesh. So, let me remind you that you receive the Holy Spirit the moment you believe. It is not a secondary work of God in our lives. When you believe, you receive.....
Ephesians 1:13.... "in him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit."
But we must realize that even after receiving the power from God we can hinder HIS working in and through us..... Two passages reveal this .....
Ephesians 4:30... "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
1 Thessalonians 5:19.. "And do not quench the Holy Spirit."
Both of these we are capable of causing in out lives. Grieving would be as a result of sin in our lives that we are continually allowing and not confessing. Quenching would be to limit HIM by our sin or selfishness as we live our lives. Our goal and concern should be that we learn to co-operate with the Holy Spirit as HE works in us and through us. Be sensitive to Obey the word of God and obedient to HIS promptings as we live life!!!
SECONDLY, in our passage, we see that the FRUIT of the HOLY SPIRIT'S power is that the disciples were made HIS witnesses. This was not the fruit of some program, plan of man or methodology but was the SUPERNATURAL result of HIS presence and power at work in each of HIS disciples. They became witnesses because of HIS POWER at work in and through them. Those who were once intimidated, fearful and meek became bold, powerful and forceful. They exploded out into their community and 1,000's came to Christ. The life changing power of God had been unleashed. Today more than ever we need this kind of power working among us. Heaven's power, Holy Spirit power, HIS power......working in us and through us......
So, let's wrap this up....MISSIONAL while it may be a new word for our culture, it has always been in God's vocab. It cannot be mandated, measured or meted out by the work of man's flesh. It is the result of Holy Spirit controlled believers, in fellowship with God, going out into their world and sharing what God has done. So I agree, let's be missional. Let's join with God in HIS great work. It is not a new work, in fact its been going on for centuries even millenniums, but He is still at work.....and HE wants to work through us, His church. There is something about that name.... Let's Join God in His work.....
You'll be glad you did...
Pastor Bruce
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Acts 19:3-6...3 And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism. 4 And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus. 5 And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
HOLY SPIRIT IS A GIFT WITH POWER Acts 10:43-48... 43 To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
IT COMES UPON WITH POWER Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
IN Ephesians 1:13 PAUL IS ACTUALLY SPEAKING TO THE SAME PEOPLE FROM ACTS 19 WHOM HE HAD VISITED BEFORE. THESE 12 EPHESIANS WHO BELIEVED AND WHO HE HAD LAID HIS HANDS ON TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHERE THE BEGINNING OF THAT CHURCH... So is it Salvation we receive when we believe, as we are reborn in Spirit into the Son, but the anointing and gift of the Holy Spirit is a gift and "act" of God the Father. The Holy Spirit does work in us inwardly because as believers, we are born again and have access to the Father. -- Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? <-- ASK FOR THE GIFT -- Acts 2:33 Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. <-- POWER -- Acts 5:32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him. <-- NOT ONLY BELIEVE BUT OBEY -- Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness. <-- WORD WITHvPOWER
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