Devote #2

It’s so easy these days to get sidetracked and when we do we find that we are way off course.

We wonder how we got so far away from where we started and why what we’re doing isn’t as successful or as impactful as it used to be. But because we’ve gotten so far away from our original purpose, we’re fearful to just stop what we’re doing and go back to the beginning or we’re just so deep within our rut that we don’t know how to get out. So, most often we just add more stuff to our regime in the hopes that it will produce the desired fruit.

This happens in the church all the time. We have a tendency to believe bigger is better… more bells and whistles mean more buy-in from people… the greater the show, the greater the income and the output. But that’s not how it works according to what I read in the Bible.

Let me see if I can simplify this as much as possible.

#1. God sent His Son into the world.

Now the word “sent” is an interesting Greek word. In English we would use the word apostle. It means one who is “sent.”

The Bible says…
“The Son was sent to speak God’s message, and He was given the full power of God’s Spirit.” John 3:34 CEV

So, God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to redeem the world from it’s cancerous sin and offer salvation. Then…

#2. “Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instruction.” Matthew 10:5 CEV

Those apostles, or “sent ones” went out and did what Jesus did. As Jesus was sent by His Father, Jesus sent out His followers to carry on the mission.

And we all lived happily ever after. NO! The apostles, then instructed and sent out others… who instructed and sent out others… who instructed and sent out others, until it got to us. So I have two questions for us…

#3. Do we understand that now we’re the “sent out” ones?”

#4. If we understand that, are we doing the “sent out” instructing and sending out others?

So you know, if we don’t, it all dies with us! You see, most often we’re expecting the event, the revival, the worship team, the exceptional preacher, to win over the hearts of people. But the event is just an event. Worship is just a tool to get people in the presence of God. Preachers come and preachers go. But you and I have been instructed to go out and find others to instruct in order to send them out. You might say, “Make a friend… Be a friend… Bring a friend to Christ!”

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Now here’s my word of encouragement for you today:

It starts with you. He sent you. That’s where we need to get back to.

Father,
As You sent Your Son, You’re sending us. Help us understand You sent us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen