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Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Outfitted and Ready



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19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Jesus, in Matthew 28:19-20).


11 When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit” (Jesus, in Mark 13:11).


17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us”’ (seventy missionaries returning to Jesus, in Luke 10:17). 


            The first of the passages listed above is the final word in Matthew’s Gospel, the “Great Commission.”  “Go!” Jesus tells his 11 followers that life as his disciples, by its nature, is a life lived on the move.  Hit the road, there’s a mission to accomplish.  There’s a message that needs to be spread.
            Notice that before Jesus ascends bodily, he sends his disciples beyond the edges of their imagination.  Yes, they will tell their fellow Jews in their home, Galilee, all that they have learned from him, but here, he’s sending them to the ends of the earth, to all nations.  That commission continues with each new generation of disciples.  To be sent by Jesus – this connects us, disciples in 2019, with Andrew and Peter, Matthew and Philip and the rest of the 12. 
            Also notice that while they are sent, it does not mean they are separated from Jesus.  Remember I am with you always, to the end of the age.  Jesus promised to always be at the side of his disciples as they ventured to places they never even considered.  In the second quote above, from Mark 14, he tells them that when they are challenged, they will be able to respond.  It is not you who speaks, but the Holy Spirit.  Jesus doesn’t just send us.  He sends us outfitted for the journey and ready for whatever we encounter.
            For the next month at HillSong Church, we will resume our focus on Growing Young.  As we emphasized when we introduced this ministry approach back in the spring, Growing Young is not emphasizing teens and 20-somethings to the neglect of the rest of the church family.  Growing Young is the belief that the entire church will flourish when everyone in the church family of every age contributes to the spiritual growth of our members 10-25 years old. 
            One of our Growing Young points of emphasis will be the way God equips every one of us for the spiritual challenges ahead.  We’ll look at spiritual gifts, our personality styles, our experiences and natural aptitudes, and our hearts’ passions.  We’ll discover how to bring it all together so that each member is serving in areas of ministry that highlight his or her strengths.
            On the front end of this emphasis we consider that Jesus sends us, the commission; goes with us, I am with you always; and, with Jesus our journey ends in victory.  When the seventy returned, they triumphantly proclaimed, even the demons submit to us.  Yes, we have spiritual gifts, natural talents, and heart desires that all help us accomplish much in Jesus’ name.  But before all the gifting and talent, we have Jesus.  We have the Lord of creation at our side, paving the path for us, and walking with us.  That is the equipping we need.
            As you participate in worship and small group ministries at HillSong Church throughout September and October, be aware of God’s calling.  Like Peter, Matthew, Andrew, and the rest, you too are sent in Jesus.  And you have talents.  Jesus will work through you.  But as you grow in awareness of your calling, even more, grow in relationship with Jesus.  Through prayer, through re-ordering your priorities, and through learning to listen to the Spirit, go deeper with Jesus.  He speaks and works through us.  And better than that, he walks with us and works in us.  With Him, we can answer the call.

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