There’s something powerful about reading the Easter story near Christmas time. Maybe it’s the reminder that the events of Christmas are made complete by the events of Easter. The record of Jesus’ earthly life, begun at Christmas, reaches its climax at Easter.
I write this, with the words of Andrew’s email, including the article, still fresh in my thoughts, and feeling very much convicted by it.
Interestingly, as I contemplate what it looks like to be an enemy of the world, one of the themes of John 18 is FEAR OF MAN. There’s Pilate, squirming his way through Jesus’ “trial”, well aware that Jesus is innocent, but eager to please the Jewish authorities in order to ensure his own political and physical safety.
And then there’s Peter, who not long earlier, had bravely lashed out with his sword. What a transformation, hero turned coward as he denies knowing Jesus three times. The somewhat sober part of this event is the knowledge that it could easily have been me or you in place of Peter.
However, 40 odd days later, Peter leaves his timidity and cowardly ways behind him permanently, and becomes a truly courageous man of God.
I believe the reason for this complete transformation is still as significant today as it was for Peter and the apostles back then. At Pentecost, he began to operate totally in communion with the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had stated that he only acted in accordance with what God told him to do.
Well then, I too have the Holy Spirit, so why aren’t I as bold as Peter and co?? After all, 2 Timothy 1 : 7 says “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power….”
One of the big differences I believe, is the degree to which I regularly fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Too seldom do I desperately seek that intimacy with God so that I truly believe and trust that I do indeed possess that spirit of power. When you really feel that close connection with the Holy Spirit and are clearing hearing his downloads, it is much easier to be confident about stepping out in obedience. When the connection is brittle, there is a tendency to seek to do things in your own strength, which is doomed for failure.
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An eight week journey of seeking God as we read.think.pray.live our way through the gospel of John
An Invitation
Please join us during this lead up to Christmas 2009 by doing the four things listed below. Anyone can join at any time throughout this 8 week period although obviously it would be best if you can begin with us on the first of November 2009.
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
6 comments:
This is really helpful Mike. As I was saying the other night to Andrew I am sure that the power of the Spirit personally and via community are two of the great weaknesses of the church in the West. You are so right. Our personal relationship with the Spirit has to increase.
Being faithful in small things...
How can He entrust us with the big things when we are unfaithful with the small...
My niece and nephew have been coming to our church for about 8 months... seeking, wanting to know more. They are being fed during Sunday teachings which is wonderful! but I have not seen them being drawn into a loving community within that fellowship... I have not dared ask how they are finding our church (am I afraid of the answer?) and I can only thank God that they are still there despite us!
I am sure theirs is not an 'uncommon' experience... the Father draws them, and we ignore them - with our eyes fixed on the harvest field elsewhere...
If we cannot fulfill our mission within the church [LOVE one another] - how can we expect we will be useful in a mission outside of it?
I went into the Court again last night and felt timid, uncomfortable and inadequate.
My response: keep asking, seeking and knocking.
I agree with your comments Rosaleen and I often border on despair. Sunday church meetings provide a place of introduction but real community happens (or should happen) in the other 166 hours in our homes etc.
Maybe some of us have our eyes fixed on the harvest elsewhere but I think that too many of us have our eyes fixed on ourselves, our jobs, our houses, our bank accounts our TV's and our "to-do" list.
Did I mention I sometimes border on despair?? :)
I choose again today to throw off the things in this life that entangle and hold me back. I will run this race with perseverance and endurance... and I will keep my eyes focussed on Jesus: the author and perfecter of my faith.
By the way, I love what you had to say Mike. Keep spurring me on brother :)
"the Father draws them, and we ignore them" - this is a very insightful Rosaleen.
How often do we miss the Father's agenda right before our eyes?
Mike, I too was inspired (and convicted) by the Email Andrew sent (thanks Andrew)especially as I heard the "I believe in God in my own way" speech and failed to confront...though the elevator doors were closing at the time (which was convenient for this cowardly heart!).
The fellowship of the Holy Spirit giving us courage is something that I have to keep in mind, and claim as a promise for those situations (which will be many over Christmas I am sure) when proclaiming the Gospel is called for.
Thanks Mike for your thoughts.
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