This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Let Easter Change you: Godly Community! (WATCH HERE)
We started this week with the truth that the church is not a man-made idea, but it’s God’s idea to be a blessing to each of us and for us to be a blessing to each other. But there’s more. There is a focus to this gathering that is bigger than any individual, but includes every individual. There is a purpose that surpasses a temporal entity to become an eternal reality.
God has given his people, his church, the purpose to bring the Gospel of God’s love and grace to the world.
The first New Testament church that gathered on the hill with Jesus was told this:
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go 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 I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The church was not just to gather for the blessing for the people already there, but to GO into the world around and bring the message of grace to all people.
Jesus simply wanted them to share what they had already experienced.
He wanted them to share who he was and the importance of his life, death, and resurrection.
He wanted them to share how grace overcomes guilt and gives peace, joy and hope.
He wanted them to tell their story of the impact of God’s love in their lives.
In doing so, the Spirit of God would use their words and witness to bring the message of God’s love to another heart and change the eternal destiny of another soul.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The great thing about Jesus direction to share God’s love with the world is that he empowers us to do the very thing he asks us to do. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go…”
As members of God’s church, we all carry the same overarching mission: Make disciples. There is no “Plan B.” God has chosen to use you and me. We are his “Plan A.”
The great thing about this mission is that sharing God’s love is not limited to one person or one time and place. God can and will use you wherever you show up today.
Doctor’s appointment? Maybe God has someone in the waiting room that needs his love through you today.
Going to a school class? Maybe God has a classmate that will sit next to you or walk next to you in the hall that needs an expression of his love today.
Have a spouse or children? Maybe today God is going to use you to forgiven and extend grace in a situation you could choose to get angry and upset.
Headed into work? Could it be that your purpose at your company isn’t to just help the financial bottom line, but to engage a coworker in an eternal bottom line?
Have a day off? Perhaps there is a neighbor who will ask for help and you will be able to head over and give your time to show God’s love to them.
Have to go grocery shopping? Don’t just look for the items on your shopping list. Notice the people around you…God may have someone there that needs a word of hope or promise.
Do you get the point? When we each embrace God’s mission for us to share his love with the world, we begin to notice opportunities we may have missed in the past. Perhaps today our simple prayer is to have God open our eyes to see the opportunities around me to share his love today.
Apply: Look at your schedule today. Ask God to orchestrate and opportunity to share his love with someone!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for making me part of your church. Lead me today and everyday to embrace your mission for the church as your mission for me: Make disciples…share your love. Will you orchestrate a clear opportunity today to do just that? AMEN.