Doing What Disciples Do part 1
Our final full series of 2019 started at the church weekend away.
Saved
The series is introduced with the conviction that ‘every believer should know how to do what all disciples are commanded to do: preach the gospel, heal the sick and cast out demons. To be on mission – to do what Jesus commanded his disciples to do…’
The simplicity of what it means to be a Christian, and a disciple, is that what we have received we also give away and so Jesus sent out his disciples with these words: ‘Freely you have received; freely give.’ (Matt 10:8)
Rob has often said church is where we get to practice what God has called us to do every day. We were saved to bring salvation to others, we were freed to free other people, we are healed to bring healing to everyone.
The talk continues with by looking at how we know that we are saved which gives us confidence in sharing our faith with others. Listen to the podcast to hear more.
Freed
The second talk in the series was about freedom and how it’s not just people from difficult backgrounds that need to be set free. We all need it because from the moment we are born we are assailed by the symptoms of the world’s bondage: fear, depression, anger and sadness etc.
These things condition us, so that we say: well, that’s the way it is…what choice to I have? We are so used to sin and all the damage that it does that we don’t even realise there is more freedom for us even though we have been Christians for many years.
But this is why Jesus came, to set you free – not just once when you are saved but continually for the rest of our lives. Freedom is an ongoing process of revelation and power bringing us all into an abundance life, an overflow of God’s blessing and power. (John 10:10)
You can find out more about how to be free and how to set others free by listening to the podcast.
Healed
This is a talk on healing and the need for God’s presence. If we going to do what disciples do, then we all need to learn how to pray for the sick. Then we need to know how to minister healing to one another firstly in the church. The church is a safe place to practise before we minister to people that we meet as we go, and to those who follow us from all walks of life.
The key thing we have been learning about healing is that it is all about God and his presence.
His presence heals even when we are not asking for it. Just being with him heals because he is the Lord that heals. He is our Healer, Saviour. We pursue him for his presence not for healing, but we know that when we pursue his presence miracles of healing often come.
Listen to the full talk on the podcast.
Go
Paul brought the weekend sessions to a close with his impassioned talk about reaching out into the community. He encouraged us to get involved in an exciting adventure taking God’s presence with us as we build relationships with our friends and their friends.
He included many practical suggestions. To find out what you might do listen to his talk.
Way Maker
Next time: Doing What Disciples Do part 2. Four more talks on authority, power and spiritual gifts.
