Missional engagement can sometimes become a bittersweet affair. Although we may experience suffering, persecution, and pain when we join Christ on mission, he promises that the pain will turn to joy when we see the miracle of new life results from this suffering through intercessory prayer and peace through his overwhelming victory over the world.
Conversion is a miracle that only God can produce. The Holy Spirit is the Giver of life whose ministry brings life to the dying world. The success of our witness and mission ultimately depends not on our resourcefulness or cleverness but on the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit working through us. As long as we abide in Christ and depend on his Spirit for the mission is just a matter of time until he finishes what he has already started.
To be loved by Christ is to be hated by the world. Our relationship with Christ and loyalty to his calling puts us at odds with the values and agendas of the world. Despite this, Christ has promised that the fruit of his disciples will not be marred by the hate of the world. Through the witness of Christ’s disciples, the Holy Spirit will also convict the world.
We have been chosen by Christ so that we may be fruitful for Christ. Every true disciple of Christ has been appointed to be fruitful but not everyone is equally fruitful. Christ wants us to look at the future with a mindset of ever-increasing fruitfulness through his careful and loving pruning. Are we ready for the next stage of greater fruitfulness?
We have been chosen by Christ so that we may be fruitful for Christ. Every true disciple of Christ has been appointed to be fruitful but not everyone is equally fruitful. Christ wants us to look at the future with a mindset of ever-increasing fruitfulness through his careful and loving pruning. Are we ready for the next stage of greater fruitfulness?
Love-motivated obedience to God’s word is the hallmark of true discipleship. This kind of obedience is only possible through and by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. One of the blessings of the New Covenant is the indwelling permanent presence of the Holy Spirit. He is our teacher and the One who, through his life-giving ministry, allows us to live life to the max of our redemptive potential.
Be not afraid! Christ’s commandment to his disciples and his instructions in this passage give them the assurance they need for the challenges ahead. Assurance of salvation through the substitutionary life, death, and resurrection of Christ provides believers with a solid foundation to live this present life in the life of the one to come. Not only are we safe in Christ but we are also commanded to share the way with those who do not know Christ yet and given prayer as a communication lifeline to make sure we are able to access the resources of our Heavenly Father at any time. Through Christ, heaven is just one call away! Because the Lord is our shepherd, we will lack nothing.
God’s ministry is not accomplished by human power or human strength but by the power of God’s Spirit (Zechariah 4:1). Believers and unbelievers alike must struggle with the urges of the flesh and its cravings, but the big difference is that believers have the power of God’s Spirit to overcome the flesh even though sometimes we may stumble and fall. In this passage, we will see the contrast between Judas and Peter as examples of the law of spiritual diminishing returns. When we rely on our flesh, even if it is with good intentions, the results we get will eventually be counterproductive to the work of Christ. In the Kingdom of God is not simply personal effort or good intentions that count, but obedience in God’s direction.
Less of me and more of Jesus is at the heart of true servant leadership. In this beautiful example of self-sacrificial love, Jesus set the paradigm for the future impact of the church revealing that the way to more fruitfulness for God demands that we empty ourselves from our selfish ambition and embrace the humble reliance of a servant. Jesus’ new purpose for his disciples is to go from a community whose highest goal is winning and receiving to a community whose highest goal is serving and giving.
Is there anything that makes you feel inadequate and constantly prevents you from acknowledging or experiencing the sufficiency of Christ in your life? Bring this burden to the Lord today and ask the Lord to fill your heart with a new awareness of his supernatural presence and provision. Surrender your fish and loaves to him in faith and ask Christ to do in your life what you cannot do on your own. Is there any root of unbelief in your heart that causes you to sink when you want to join Jesus in his life-changing journey? Surrender your unbelief in worship today and confess your faith in Jesus asking him to do in you and through you a work that will bring him glory and praise.
