At our anniversary service I encouraged us to “see beyond” those who are currently part of the church. At the core of Jesus call to follow him is His promise that He will teach us how to help people be drawn into relationship with God.
Last Sunday I argued that in Jesus life and ministry, what we currently call “gifts of the Spirit” were exercised primarily in the context of evangelism. The word evangelism literally means to “announce good news”. Jesus didn’t just tell people about the good news of God’s love; he made it real in their life. When Jesus healed the sick, the good news of God’s love became real. When Jesus visited Zacchaeus and accepted him, the good news of God’s love became real. When Jesus told the woman at the well all about her life and showed genuine respect, the good news of God’s love became real.
The word usually translated “gifts of the Spirit” in the New Testament, literally means “manifestations of grace”. God wants to make His love real to people; God wants His grace to come alive for people; and He wants to do it through us. I believe the next big move of the Spirit will see manifestations of the Spirit in workplaces, homes, gyms, even shopping centres, as ordinary people like you and I live with the prayer “God how do you want to make your love/grace real to ...” and insert the name of people we meet and relate to.
The question and prayer for all of us to work with is “God, how do you want to make your love/grace real through me? In our IFFF’s, Faith Life Groups, Fun Life Groups and Ministries we must pray and discover: “God how do you want to make your love/grace real to those who don’t yet know you, through us?” It is as we do this and step out, that the miracles of God will continue to unfold and grow and we will marvel at the privilege of participating in God’s transformation of people’s lives and our community (often called a “revival”).
Yours in Christ
Graham Keech
Yes yes yes. That's exactly what I want!
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