DNA Part 4-Gospel Mission

Big Question: How did these commonplace disciples (fishermen and a tax collector) go from being scared, timid, and unequipped to bold, passionate world changers? (This question must be asked when looking at the biblical accounts of the resurrection.)

What happened? Something serious must have happened to them. Did they just make the resurrection up? Did they have a mass hallucination? Did they just see a spiritual manifestation of Jesus? Or maybe Jesus wasn’t really dead? Or maybe Jesus wasn’t really dead and was resuscitated somehow?

But do any of these explanations explain the radical change in these disciples? I’d so “no”!

What changed these men? It was an encounter with the risen (actual, bodily) Jesus that empowered them to be powerful witnesses for the gospel.

Here’s the thing. If someone has an encounter with the risen Jesus, they too can become powerful witnesses for Him. And anyone who believes and receives the gospel has that encounter! (Thomas’ experience—v. 29—“Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed.”)

Main Idea: When we encounter Jesus in the truths of the gospel (life, death, resurrection) we should receive three precious treasures that should propel us into mission: Peace, Purpose, and Power

Treasure 1: Peace

Jesus has just been arrested and crucified. The disciples had all fled and scattered and then regrouped in the upper room where they are now scared and behind locked doors. Then Jesus comes to them (while the doors are locked). So he is alive but something is really different about him now.

So lets put ourselves in their shoes. Their leader was just arrested and murdered. Most of the disciples have either denied him or have abandoned him. So when Jesus appears to them, what do you think they expected to hear from him?

There is no rebuke, no "how could you?". Jesus doesn't scold. He doesn't feel the need to "deal with things". The first words out of the Savior's mouth show one thing, He accepts them. What relief, what joy, must have flooded the hearts of the followers. The wall that they were anticipating is not there. (Bruce Goettsche)

Instead of chiding them or expressing frustration and disappointment; Jesus declares “peace”

Illustration: Edmund meets Aslan (show photo?)

Now this was the common way to say “hello” (Shalom); but he repeats this phrase more than once.

Instead of judgment, Jesus declares peace.

Peace = completeness, wholeness; but also means and end of hostilities.

“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Jesus comes proclaiming that because of his substitutionary death, we now have peace with God and others.

J. Eric Alexander — “He is the Lord Jesus himself bestowing this gift of peace upon these men and women with troubled conscience. And it is his dying love that produces it. … We need the reality of what it means for the balm of God’s grace to speak peace to our troubled, guilty conscience. and to enable to to know what it is to receive the healing of God’s peace flooding our souls and purifying our conscience.”

If you encounter the risen Jesus, you will encounter the good news of peace!

And this is in fact the heart of gospel mission. It is the foundation and motivation of our mission.

Just like with Jesus: “For the joy set before him” - Jesus didn’t come begrudgingly but rather with joy in order to “seek and save the lost”

We should be driven to help others know the gracious forgiveness that Jesus has secured for us.

Illustration: Gress’ involved with hydrocephalus org. Archers promoting FPIES awareness. Why? Because they know the dangers, difficulties, struggles of these diseases.

And so as we have received God’s peace we are now called to proclaim it to others.

Treasure 2: Purpose

“As” in the same manner/way that God sent Jesus, we are now sent.

This doesn’t mean that we would die for the sins of people.

Loving

Generous

Sacrificial

Personal (hospitable)

Relational

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 ESV

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Illustration: This is like getting the keys to dad’s car the first time

John 20:23 ESV

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

This verse doesn’t mean that we have the power to forgive sins. (the verbs here are in the passive-meaning that it is God who doses the forgiving).

It means that as we proclaim the gospel, those who will receive it will know the forgiveness and peace of God. Those who reject it will not know his peace and forgiveness will be withheld.

Treasure 3: Power

Power is important. Ill. Take it for granted until Hurricane

English Standard Version Chapter 20

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

This was a symbolic act that points to the gift of the Holy Spirit (God himself) who would empower us for the impossible task before us.

Do you feel inadequate? Ill-equipped? I’m sure these disciples did too! What qualified them? They were mere fishermen.

“The symbolical action reminds us of the Creation story, when into the nostrils was breathed ‘the breath of life, and man became a living soul.’ (McClaren)

Jesus as the dove descended upon Jesus, now he is given to us (Matt. 3:16)

What does this mean? We are given the Holy Spirit as power to equip us to do the impossible. But what does that look like?

gives us the words to say (Luke 12:11,12)

convicts us, and our listeners of sin (John 16:8)

converts a hard heart (John 6:44)

sustains us in the difficult times (John 14:26,27)

gives focus and substance to our prayers (Romans 8:26)

gives us the abilities to do what He has called us to do (1 Corinthians 12:7)

gives us the Christlike qualities that demonstrate His grace (Ephesians 5:22-23)

We are given every thing we need to fulfill the mission God has for us.

Conclusion

Illustration: 17 pound gold door stop

Have you received and are you receiving these precious gifts?

Peace? Power? Purpose?

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