SCRIPTURE: Luke 9
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. [Luke 9:1-2] This chapter deals with God’s kind of power and authority, and how the world (and many christians) doesn’t get it. In the beginning the disciples are given power to demonstrate and declare the God’s new order (kingdom) on earth; at the end they are bickering about positions of authority, and trying to call down fire from heaven on those nasty Samaritans. Twice Jesus stresses that His kingdom authority demands compassion and self-sacrifice, but the disciples just don’t get it [Luke 9:22-27,44-45].
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. [Luke 9:28-29] Jesus has power, there is no doubt about it. His majestic glory slips out for a moment in the transfiguration – but this is NOT HOW He normally operates. No need for building shelters (literally tabernacles, or sanctuaries, where people can come and ‘worship’ these heavenly beings). Today we are still like Peter, building glorious buildings for people to worship Jesus. Jesus came to serve, to sacrifice, to demonstrate God’s love in action. Jesus does not have a place to put His head, yet we spend all our time building ‘houses’ for Him.
Kingdom living is allowing God’s power and glory show itself through our humble love and service. The Spirit of God in us is not there to put on a good show, or to give us a good position in life, or to enable us to call down fire on others who don’t accept us and our message. God’s glory is revealed when we live the kingdom values of love, joy, peace, patience, etc. This is how the world knows that we are His disciples.
I think the church would have so much more impact if we would stop building ‘shelters’ for God and Jesus, and start serving in homeless shelters, where Jesus is; if we would stop preaching against the sinners of the world, and start serving them. It doesn’t matter how correct our confession of Jesus is (think of Peter’s confession), if we do not join Him in carrying the cross in this world, we are standing in Jesus’ way [Mathew 16:22-23]. Jesus is sending us out into the world with His kingdom message and Spirit power. Lets get out of our churches, and start churching!
PRAYER:
Lord, may Your glory shine through my humble service today!
Ten years ago all our efforts went into having great worship services in order to get people into the church. Now I agree we need to get out into the community and BE the church. But I agree with what Tony wrote yesterday that the church feeds us and restores us. We learn and grow and stretch and it is also such a blessing to worship with others. But how do we do both? Everyone is so busy. What if we had services every other week and then the other weeks we help the people in the community or Falby Crt somehow??? I met someone in my office from Falby Crt a few weeks back and they said living conditions there are terrible.
Jesus gave the people what they came for. In Christ alone we are truly fed. He supplies all our needs, more than we even dared hoped for. But there are times we trust in ourselves more than the Father;s hand or power. He always is able and we must see ourselves as His instruments of peace.
And as we continue to build His kingdom, we need to work hand in hand and not be envious of another’s ministry. God will provide our needs and He will bless those who do His work. We work for Him and because we do, we will work side by side to further His kingdom.
May we all be living witnesses wherever we are.
We are one in the spirit we are one in the Lord
We are one in the spirit we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love , by our love
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love
We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand (2)
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land
We will work with each other we will work side by side(2)
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride
All praise to the father from whom all things come
And all praise to Christ Jesus his only son
And all praise to the spirit
Who makes all things one.