Read: 2Samuel 18:1-19:10, John 20:1-31, Psalm 119:153-176, Proverbs 16:14-15
Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:21-22)
Relate: Way back when He was beginning His ministry Jesus stopped off at home. Nazareth’s Rabbi offered to let Him come up as a guest speaker in the synagogue. Jesus went up, opened the scroll and began reading: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for He has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” Then he rolled up the scroll and gave it back. While everyone was still watching Him, Jesus said, “The scripture you have just heard has been fulfilled this very day.”
React: Fast forward a few years. Jesus has died. He has risen. He will soon be leaving to return to the Father. Before going He commissions his disciples to carry forward his task. Then He breathes on them and they are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Now it is our turn. Now it is our mission. The Spirit of the Lord is on us, and He has anointed us to bring good news to the poor. He has sent us to proclaim freedom for the captives. He has sent us to open blind eyes. To liberate the oppressed. To proclaim that the time of God’s favor has come. How have we been doing with that task?
That was Jesus mission. Everything He did, everything He taught, and everywhere He went was with the purpose of fulfilling that mission. What about me? Am I about bringing good news to the poor, or am I too busy enriching myself? Am I proclaiming freedom for captives, or pursuing those comforts that keep them bound? Am I opening blind eyes or burying my own head in the sand? Am I about bringing the Lord’s favor today, or am I sitting back waiting for some future evacuation? How am I doing with the mission God has sent me on?
Respond:
God, let me about Your mission. I repent for allowing the distractions of life to sidetrack me. I repent for allowing the good things keep me from the greatest thing. Give me a greater passion for the poor, the blind, and the oppressed. Do not let me rest until Your kingdom on earth perfectly reflects heaven. Don’t let me rest until You return.
THE RIVER WALK 
I really love this message; The Spirit of God is upon me. Hallelujah!
Great message for us to think about! Great choice of words and your first image is amazing.
Thank You for the very inspiring messages!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you Lord for this message, Thank You Pastor for bringing this message for I am a sinner and stand humbled before God. As is with everything in “my” life, this was everything I needed to hear to keep me rooted in his word…
All things in Gods Creation carries his rhythm, Andy Parks Brings to bring the true rhythm of our Lord God… I’m a huge fan… as “In The Secret” a song played very well by Andy, I want to know you, I want to hear your voice, Lord…
Amen…
Amen…thank you for encouraging us to be about the Father’s business
Reblogged this on Gods group and commented:
If you are a Christian, how are you doing at sharing the “good news” of the gospel, as Jesus commanded all of His children ??
Blessings in Christ, bruce
Congratulations my fiend! I have nominated you for the “The Sunshine” Award. Thanks for having such an enjoyable site to share with everyone. I truly enjoy your site and it is my hope that others will do the same. Once again, congratulations!! You can find the information that you need by clicking here… http://goodtimestories.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/the-sunshine-award
Thank you very much for the appreciation. It is great to know God is blessing others through what is written here. Because this is a church blog and not a personal one, I don’t do the awards but it is still great to know we are appreciated. God bless.
It’s OK. Keep up the good work and God Bless! (Psalm 126:3)
I pray in agreement with you, don’t let me rest until you return, Come LORD Jesus come!
I love your blog, it has the hand of God testifying all over it! Great stuff! Bless you guys 🙂
Our church recently started a free meal ministry where we provide a free meal to the community on the last Sunday of every month. It has grown over the past two years and we now deliver to shut ins as well as provide a walk in meal in our family life center. We have been amazed at the impact this has had on our community and how it has brought the people our little town closer together. One member if our church questioned the success as it hasn’t really increased our Sunday attendance. That was not really the goal of the program and the true success was realized this past spring when we had major flooding in the town. The Red Cross showed up at the church and said that every house they went to said they needed to stop by our church because we were the place everyone in the community went to when they needed help and so we would know which families were in need of assistance. That was a confirmation enough for us! 🙂
the only worthwhile action, is love, the only intangible in the world is love, it’s not too hard to figure out what impacts the best, can’t be bought or sold, can’t be stored, thank you