16th Oct 05
Steve Clifford - Luke 10 & Acts 1 - sent out
Luke 10 v 1-12. Imagine that you are one of the disciples being sent out, how do you feel?
Jesus chose his disciples whereas the norm for the day was for people to apply for the job, and his teaching style was one which prompted questions.
Words are an inadequate mode of communication, word let us down, get misinterpreted etc, and Jesus knew this so his teaching style included a huge practical element - and eventually the disciples had to do the stuff themselves.
The disciples would be scared, apprehensive, excited.
Verse 17-21 the disciples returned, joyfully, because Jesus' name worked.
It’s almost like a divine joke that the whole of salvation history is tied up with this little band, mixture of ordinary people, all of God's purposes rest on them! Jesus is delighted. We are included, we have a part to play. That's God's style.
Acts 1 takes place 12-18 months later. Beginning of a worldwide movement. Like the start of a race when the starting pistol fires - they're off!
Acts 1 v 4 wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. His command is 'wait', they're not ready yet.
Verse 8 the Holy Spirit will give power to witness, you can't do it on your own. Power for healing, speaking, demon-driving. Also for us for work, for Monday mornings, for school gate moments. Starting pistol analogy - that God's purposes might be fulfilled though me TODAY.
Eph 5 Be filled with the Spirit.
Steve was told by God at the start of this year to be filled with the Spirit, and has tried to make it his prayer every day. Challenging, despite the fact that he is a card-carrying charismatic. We need to be continually filled because we leak.
We are designed to live in intimate proximity with God. We cannot live effectively without the Spirit. Enables us to be the people God wants us to be in the settings where he's put us - where he's sent us.
