Journeying Toward Jesus
Journeying Toward Jesus
“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7)
We all have a ministry but do we truly understand that ministry needs to be all in?
When it comes to the mission of our Lord, we all need to communicate the right message in the right way with the right heart. This means that the message we speak to others must be accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit in the full conviction and confidence of the One who gave us this message in the first place.
There are far too many people who have still not heard the true gospel and many of these people are operating with the wrong idea of what the truth actually is. They need to know the love of God that is behind the Word of God and why the cross of Christ matters to their lives. This is why Paul knew that his manner of living truly mattered so that his manner of speaking was in alignment with his own faith. The MESSAGE and the MINISTER need to be in agreement so that authenticity, not necessarily perfection, is able to be seen.
If our lives match our message, then people can become “followers of us and of the Lord”. Wait a minute…you say…”we will never be able to live as perfectly as the Lord!” This is true. There is only one Jesus. But if Christ lives in us, there will be a certain sincerity of love that will lead others to hear the message and see the ongoing transformation that comes from this message if they were to receive it as well.
In other words, people must see that we fully believe the message before they will receive our message.
This all begins with knowing firsthand that we are loved and accepted and welcomed by Jesus who invites us to be with Him that we might become like Him and partner with His mission.
In Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, we see the following wholistic approach of journeying with people that they might journey with Jesus:
When God’s heart of love and compassion is truly working in us, our gospel ministry will become more than just dropping a bomb-like-message to someone else. Instead, we will go the extra mile and remember that relationships require a sacrificial kind of love...which is contagious and expansive.
Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." (John 12:24)
Our purity in heart brings about about a potency in life toward the productivity and progression of the gospel ministry we seek to advance.
When sharing the gospel with someone from a completely different culture and religion, we must be prepared to replace what they are going to need to give up for the cause of Christ.
"For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything." (1 Thes. 1:8)
Personal Reflection: What is "sounding forth" from your life when others are around you?
“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7)
We all have a ministry but do we truly understand that ministry needs to be all in?
When it comes to the mission of our Lord, we all need to communicate the right message in the right way with the right heart. This means that the message we speak to others must be accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit in the full conviction and confidence of the One who gave us this message in the first place.
There are far too many people who have still not heard the true gospel and many of these people are operating with the wrong idea of what the truth actually is. They need to know the love of God that is behind the Word of God and why the cross of Christ matters to their lives. This is why Paul knew that his manner of living truly mattered so that his manner of speaking was in alignment with his own faith. The MESSAGE and the MINISTER need to be in agreement so that authenticity, not necessarily perfection, is able to be seen.
If our lives match our message, then people can become “followers of us and of the Lord”. Wait a minute…you say…”we will never be able to live as perfectly as the Lord!” This is true. There is only one Jesus. But if Christ lives in us, there will be a certain sincerity of love that will lead others to hear the message and see the ongoing transformation that comes from this message if they were to receive it as well.
In other words, people must see that we fully believe the message before they will receive our message.
This all begins with knowing firsthand that we are loved and accepted and welcomed by Jesus who invites us to be with Him that we might become like Him and partner with His mission.
In Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, we see the following wholistic approach of journeying with people that they might journey with Jesus:
- There is first the PROCLAMATION of the Gospel.
- Then there is the DEMONSTRATION of the power of the Gospel.
- Then, there is the IMITATION of Christ who laid down His life for us.
- Finally, there is the MULTIPLICATION of those who receive the Gospel to do the same.
When God’s heart of love and compassion is truly working in us, our gospel ministry will become more than just dropping a bomb-like-message to someone else. Instead, we will go the extra mile and remember that relationships require a sacrificial kind of love...which is contagious and expansive.
Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." (John 12:24)
Our purity in heart brings about about a potency in life toward the productivity and progression of the gospel ministry we seek to advance.
When sharing the gospel with someone from a completely different culture and religion, we must be prepared to replace what they are going to need to give up for the cause of Christ.
- What does this kind of relational and Christ-like incarnational ministry look like?
- This might look like inviting unknown people into our hearts…through love and prayer.
- And then inviting these same people into our homes…with hospitality and care.
- Then, we may invite them in our small groups…with gracious intentionality to spare.
"For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything." (1 Thes. 1:8)
Personal Reflection: What is "sounding forth" from your life when others are around you?
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