One Year Since Departing...

The other day a friend asked how my position was fleshing out at the local church I had moved here to Ohio to help launch. Two things came to mind:

One: Man, time flies! It's been one year since I parted from that position and local body.

Two: I haven't connected with this guy in a year. That's ridiculous!

I hadn't intended on processing the previous season at the one year mark but around this same time I bumped into another individual I had been building a relationship with during my time on staff and was struck by their impression of my departure. These encounters have spurred me on to continue to reflect on the growth, healing and hoping process as the Spirit regenerates and repurposes my family and I.

Here are a very, very few things that have come to light.

The Junk:
It's safe to say I had some baggage going into that position that hadn't been dealt with, much I was even unaware of. An unhealthy blend of self-deprecation and pride blasted my confidence in the Lord and thus robbed Him of His due glory.

When there was no one left to 'do ministry' with and my family I were thrust into a season of reconciling our purpose and rhythm with our present circumstances...then pride and self-deprecation were dragged out into the open and I have been forced to reckon with these oppressive character traits.

Freedom does abound beyond the restraints of 'self'. You know what light does, right? It dissipates hurt and disillusion and everything that's false. Not quickly, but surely.

The Family:
Goodnight! I have an incredible wife. I have two incredible kids. I missed them and I wasn't even aware of just how much. During my stint on staff I had spoken a lot about healthy family rhythm and quantity of time with the family, not simply quality...honestly I felt much like a skipping record on these verses.

Yet, somewhere in the midst of that season I lost touch with my own family, my own healthy rhythm and all in the name of 'getting my crap done so the Kingdom can move onward.' By the time I left my position I was disillusioned with my call, my gifts, my family unity, my role in the Kingdom and the individual relationships with my wife, my son and my daughter.

In the past year my wife and I have been rebuilding a vision for the future and acting on our mission. I have reimagined an honest discipling relationship with my son. I am also learning to be the father of a beautiful little girl who doesn't need a pastoral figure in the house but a father chasing after God's heart.

The Parting:
I was surprised (maybe not entirely) to hear the impression my friend had regarding my leaving the position and thus the local body. He wondered why I would move here, build relationships and then depart overnight without a word to anyone personally and all under the banner of a 'difference of ministry philosophy and vision.'

Great question. At the moment I didn't know what to say except what I had been saying - that my personal expectations grew apart from the direction of the body and so I departed. I suppose that's true.

What's more, however, is that I didn't choose to depart, at least not quickly and quietly and not at that time. I had been asked to leave. There's a difference. This particular conversation revealed a hurt caused by my rapid abandoning of this budding friendship, hurt in no major way I should add, but hurt that I would choose to indirectly disown them and that without a word.

I didn't intend to. Yes, my pride and self-deprecation robbed us of fruit and relationship but these were heavily intertwined with ministry philosophy changes and challenges creeping in apart from those I was truly convicted of and so I wasn't able to (or willing to) reconcile what I had moved here to serve and partake in with what was actually being developed. But I didn't jump ship. The ship made a brief but rapid stop and asked me to depart. I did not intend to abandon any relationships and yet I did, collateral damage.

You know how it works, you're hurt so you inadvertently hurt others and communication breaks down and impressions and assumptions are made etc. And so I consolidated my personal resources and relationships and bunkered down to regroup. Some people didn't make it in the bunker. I'm sorry.

So now what? Well it's interesting to look back over the past year and see this Sovereign God still at work.

While I cannot reconcile all of the experiences during my time on staff with Gods heart and purpose, it is safe to say that He neither abandons His people, those on all sides of such painful interaction, nor does he abandon the work of expanding His Kingdom one disciple at a time through those who are faithful. That is glorious knowledge and faith abounds in retaining such truths.

So how is my position fleshing out? Well, it's doing just that. The Spirit is continuing the lifelong process of incarnating the Gospel within these old bones, within my family and my home. One year is not a lot of time. It's the amount of time I spent investing in that local body. It's also the amount of time I have had since leaving that position.

One year goes by fast and while the above realizations are important they are only a slice of what has been taking shape. It feels good to own my junk, my sin. It also feels good to own my decisions and let go of those others have made on my behalf.

I wonder what you might be in the process of realizing, overcoming, healing from and hoping for?

Where do you see the Lord at work and where do you see Satan creeping in to steal and destroy?

And of course - what is God teaching you about who you are in His Kingdom and what are you going to do about it?

A year flies by. Don't waste it.

John's Story 2:12-25

Jesus arrives at the Temple Mount, standing in the outer court, and for the first time He acts on the unacceptable use of space in His Fathers house. Now, I assume as a child, even the previous year for that matter, Jesus witnessed the sale of sacrificial animals and the many business opportunities and happenings surrounding the festival. Maybe His parents even partook in this convenient trade.

But we know this year was different.

Jesus was publicly teaching, acting on the miraculous, gathering crowds, calling disciples, being commissioned via baptism and the Spirit and preempted by one like Elijah. Jesus' hour for the cross had not yet come, but here at this first Passover in public ministry His time had come to begin reconciling His people to His Father.


Text / 2:12-25

Let's focus on one particular concept, that is, the redefining of the Temple. Check this out:

'In the temple (heiron) courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip and drove all from the temple (heiron) area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a house of merchandise!"

'Then the Jews demanded a sign to prove His authority...

'Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple (naos) and I will raise it again in three days."

'The Jews replied, "It has taken 46 years to build this temple (naos)...

'But the temple (naos) Jesus had spoken of was his body.'


Jesus was not referring to the temple complex. If His use of the word 'naos' was not clear enough to the original audience the author tells us that after Jesus' death and resurrection they recalled this event and realized fully His intended meaning in this mysterious response to the Jewish leaders.

Define: The two words for temple were somewhat interchangeable but still held particular meaning and it's within this meaning that we understanding Jesus' distinct and prophetic use of 'temple'.

• heiron (Greek) - temple proper, holy place
• naos (Greek) - inner sanctuary, Most Holy Place (later on used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:16 to describe the Body of Believers)

This is a small interaction with huge implications for Judaism, for the ancient Church and for all Christians everywhere today.

There is a tendency to think that ministry takes shape in the churches buildings. That we 'go' to church. That God meets us most distinctly in our gathering complexes. And yet Jesus is demonstrating the movement away from the building (Temple, the footrest of God on earth) and noting that this Most Holy Place is within Himself!

He is the fulfillment of any and everything the Temple ever meant to the Kingdom of God on earth.

• John 1:14  Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us
• John 4:21-24  worship neither here nor there but in spirit and truth
• John 17:20-23  Jesus said, 'I have given them the glory that you gave me...I in them and you in Me...'
• 1 Corinthians 3:16-17  you yourselves are God's temple...
• 1 Cor 12:27 you are the body of Christ
• 1 Peter 2:4-10  you are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood...

The destruction of the Naos (Jesus' body) was the ultimate rejection of the very cornerstone of the temple of God. That cornerstone, however, was the building block of the spiritual Naos Jesus was building for His disciples, and their disciples, and all believers in the Christ in all time and space. He is the ultimate High Priest (4:12-5:10, Hebrews 10:19-27) and thus as His disciples / workers / partners - we are all priests in His temple.

Yes, gathering together is important and commanded. Yes, buildings are a blessing and even necessary at times. But no, these material complexes do NOT constitute the Church - they only house us as necessary.

Only Jesus was fully aware of the magnitude of this simple reply to the Jews. Where they assumed a literal destruction of their building - He spoke of a literal destruction of the body of their Creator.

Key Points /

• As with His reference in :4, Jesus' prophetic discussion on his death and resurrection demonstrates the reality that He was fully aware of His divinity and was not surprised to find out His role in Gods plan of salvation as some say.
• Demand of a sign: The Jewish leaders demand of a sign (:18) instead of an immediate arrest leads us to believe they had already heard about Jesus and His powerful teaching and miraculous gifts.
• The synoptic versions of this story:

1. Read: Matthew 21:12-13 / Mark 11:12-19 / Luke 19:45-48
2. These three take place near the end of Jesus' ministry following His Triumphal Entry into the city, leading some theologians to believe this to be a catalyst for His coming arrest.
3. Johns version takes place at the launch of Jesus' ministry and so leads many to believe this happened more than once.

• Key Differences:
• John notes a whip - others do not
• John did not drive out the people (except the dove handlers) - other authors note He scattered all people and animals
• John notes only a turning of the money tables - others note a turning of the dove tables as well
• Jesus' proclamation in John is distinct from the others who recall Him quoting from the Scriptures in the process: 'House of prayer' Isaiah 56:7 & 'Den of thieves' Jeremiah 7:11

In the previous section of the chapter we see Jesus demonstrate the miraculous and reveal His glory and so develop faith in His disciples. In this section we find Jesus passionate about His Fathers Holiness, demonstrating His role as the ultimate Prophet, hinting at his role of ultimate Priest and demonstrating His authority over His people in His temple.


Question /

1. What do you think of your body as the temple of God? Both your individual body AND the body of believers in all places in all time?
1. How might your self-image change as a result of this realization?
2. How might your view of other believers change (those you both like and dislike)?
3. How might your role as a disciple change as a result of housing the Holy One?
2. What about your understanding of the Church? If the Church is more than a building how might this impact how you live as the Church?
3. What implications might the role as the 'priesthood' have as a disciple of Christ? Any? To all believers or only some and why?

What is God teaching you through the Spirit in this Text?

What are you going to do about it?

Read: Key Word Study Bible NIV, John Commentary by Towns, MacArthur on John, John by R.C. Sproul

John's Story 2:1-11

What if Jesus had offered no signs of His divinity and intent? That is, what if all the way up to the cross and resurrection (the greatest sign) Christ had taught, gathered disciples and crowds, travelled about and spent time explaining the Scriptures but offered no miraculous sign?

If there were no signs would Jesus' world have responded to Him the way it (they) did?

I like the hypothetical question because it causes us to all the more dig into the miracles Jesus performs, the very signs John preserves in his narrative, and attempt to understand them in their original context. Many skeptically dismiss these signs as later fabrications of the authors and future copyists.

But if we're founding our understanding of Christ on the very letters of the Apostles and closest disciples...skepticism is born out of our own understanding of the authors intent and not the content itself..

Text / John 2:1-11

'When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."'

'"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."...Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.'

Let's dissect this mysterious little interaction a bit. Let's start with Mary's comment:

1. Is this a question or statement? Is she in turn asking Jesus to act on this embarrassing social mishap or simply pointing out it's occurrence?
2. Does Mary desire Jesus to simply make a spiritually charged speech and smooth over the situation?
3. Is she upset that He brought so many of His own guests to the wedding (disciples) who in turn drank more wine than was anticipated?
4. Is she fully aware of His ability to perform miraculous feats through experience and eyewitness? Or simply due to the divine promises she is fully aware are bestowed on His life.

Some thoughts on the above:

1. Comment or Question: It's obvious by Jesus' response that He believed Mary was asking Him to act in some fashion, which He does.
2. Speech: Seeing how Jesus had been teaching publicly up to this point it wouldn't make sense for Him to proclaim that His "time had not yet come."
3. Disciples: Nope. It would not have been odd to have the number of guests fluctuate throughout the week long celebration.
4. Yes, Mary was fully aware of Jesus' divine nature as it would be hard to forget the miraculous virgin birth, the angelic visits and the like. However, did she experience these miracles during His childhood?
• In :11 John notes that this was Jesus' first miraculous sign. Is this the first miracle period or His first public sign of His glory?
• If Jesus had been performing miracles up to this point John had no reason to note this 'first' sign - especially such a backwoods and private one such as this.
• Personally I wonder what happened to Joseph, Mary's husband. Most theologians assume his death in Jesus' childhood (after his half bro's and sisters were born) which leads to me to question why Jesus wouldn't have miraculously spared him at that point - this is total conjecture, we simply know very little about Jesus' childhood and Joseph.
• "Do whatever he tells you" as an imperative statement by Mary leads us to believe she knew and expected Jesus to physically produce a response to her comment.

What about Jesus' response:
Part One "Dear woman, why do you involve me?"

Rewritten: "Woman, what is to you to me"

• "woman' was a term of endearment or respect (do not think our Western sense)
• "what is to you to me" - some teachers and commentators note the odd form of this statement as it's recorded in the Greek. there is general agreement that it's a strange way to invoke to idea of: "dear mother, what matters to you also matters to me..."

What I appreciate about this latter translation is the compassion and respect apparent in the text as opposed to the NIV translation above which tends to make Jesus sound bothered by His mothers request, annoyed even.

When this compassionate translation is coupled with His next statement we are opened up to a pretty cool tension in the life of Christ.

Part Two "My hour has not yet come" - stated again in: 7:30, 8:20, 12:23, 27, 13:1, 17:1

This statement clues us into the reality that Jesus knew His plan and purpose all along and wasn't left to the whims of culture or a distant God - instead He was living on purpose to the cross.

Put together these two statements present the tension between Jesus' physical nature and His divine nature - this hypostatic union 100% man / 100% God. What's more they demonstrate for us the honor and unity involved in interaction with men and with God the Father.

1. Jesus, knowing His purpose and the time table involved sought to honor God by quietly glorifying Him through this simply miracle in the kitchen of a wedding.
2. Jesus, showing love for His mother honored her request, that which was important to her, by fulfilling the tasked sought after and doing so without major publication regarding His "hour."

Key Points:

This first miracle: (:11)

• revealed His glory to the disciples, Mary once again, servants taking part
• fostered formative seeds of faith for His disciples

Johns use of Jesus' miracles as signs had the effect of:

1. glorifying God
2. developing faith in His disciples
3. demonstrating fulfilled prophecy
4. expressing Jesus divine nature as the Son of God, the Messiah

As I was reading this chapter a subsequent thought came to light. Think about the host of the wedding, the parents, the other guests and the married couple. Out of nowhere this incredible wine appears near the end of the bash surprising them all. Each one of them partakes in this mysterious gift and goes on enjoying one another.

Meanwhile, in the backroom, Jesus and the servants are uniting to complete this miracle. The servants do what they can (bring the water), and Jesus does what only He can (change the water into wine). They unite to do the work of the Father. A fitting analogy to our current role as disciples. We do what we gifted and able to and the Spirit on behalf of the Lord completes our work (His work) through us.

Back to the guests. Like most of the world, the guests are experiencing the fruit of Jesus' work without knowing Him nor giving Him due credit. We live and breath because He holds all together (Colossians 1) just as the party continued on because Jesus honorably and divinely acted.


Question

• How does this story of the first miracle impact your own faith in Christ?
• How might your investigation into Christ's claims of divinity be furthered because of this passage?
• As a result of seeing Christ work such a seemingly small miracle how might you view your own role in His Kingdom? Is there any act of service too small to be worthwhile?
• How might you respond and act here and now?

Later this week we'll discuss the next part of Chapter 2 - the first public display of Jesus' Divine Authority.

Comments and textual ideas taken from: John by E. Towns, Jewish New Testament Commentary, John MacArthur Study on John, Dennis McCallum sermon on John 2

John's Story 1:19-51

What makes for a good testimony? What are the qualities of a good witness, someone sharing their account of an event, like a witness on the stand.

Google 'How to be a good witness' and you'll find many courthouse pages dedicated to tips on testifying: tell the truth (I suppose it's worth stating) - be calm and take your time - be clear and concise - provide the facts - be yourself etc.

The above having mainly to do with presentation there are other qualities in the make-up of a witness: first hand experience (see, feel, hear) - a willing participant of the event (personal investment) - a real-time antagonist to the event - multiple interactions / opportunities to witness - nature of the circumstances (stressful, threatening, fast-paced, inviting) - familiarity with surroundings, culture, time and space, language etc. - corroboration with another source (person, history, like events, character etc).


Text / John 1:19-51

Johns Story begins with a series of testimonials about Jesus:

1. John the Baptizer - :23, 26-27 one coming after / :29-31, 36 Lamb of God to be revealed / :32 Spirit descends on Jesus / :34 I have seen and I testify
2. Holy Spirit - :32-34 Holy Spirit displays Jesus' divine role
3. OT Prophecy - Isaiah 40 along with other passages and types there was a general anticipation for the return of a mighty king, a Savior
4. Jesus - :51 regarding Himself as the very Son of Man (a title after that of the prophets like Jeremiah)
5. Andrew - :39 spent time with Jesus / :41 'We have found the Messiah'
6. Philip - :45 'We have found the Moses wrote about...whom the prophets also wrote...' - recalling OT expectations from reliable men / :45 'Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph' - lineage and hometown, verifiable information
7. Nathaniel - skeptical at first (what divine being could come from such a depressed town?) / :49 Rabbi (teacher), Son of God, King of Israel.
8. Priests and Levites - :19-25 these men confirmed John the Baptists anointing though didn't know how to title him (later they will do the same to Jesus)
9. John the Apostle / Author - believed to be one of John the Baptists disciples and then Jesus' disciple / :35 he is one of the two disciples with John / he is both an eyewitness over the span of Jesus' and John's ministries as well as one with personal resources and relationships to account for his Gospel.

Look at that list! If you had been a part of the original audience of John's letter you would have been left without doubt about his testimony of Christ through the words and actions of all these characters and sources. His clarity about the events, his trustworthy character, his experience, his articulation etc. Everything accepted as true and genuine good news (Gospel).

Do we now doubt simply because of the span of time and culture from the original writing? NO, but we will have to work harder to understand the cultural, spiritual and language differences - we have to investigate just as the 12 did! Just as we all do with anything that's important to us or to those we care about, or even to our pesonal well being politically, socially and economically. We investigate.


Key Points

Investigation: 'Come and see' was the approach of Jesus before the eventual call to follow as a steadfast disciple. Jesus invited them to investigate His reality - this is a great model for us as disciplemakers in His image. Personal invitations to others to come and investigate Jesus through our own lives.

Notice two key aspects of Andrews investigation:

• first follows (invited to come and see)
• then invites (shares his findings with those close to him, Cephas)

Q. What did / does your Gospel investigation look like? Are you seeking Christ directly or are you seeking around Christ?

Our culture is enamored with mysterious Eastern religions which appear culturally pure (un-Westernized / commercialized), sexy, personal etc. Simultaneously we tend to think we know about Christianity, we know who Christ is and so the mystery is gone, the apparent sexiness of Christianity is lost in all the American tradition, hymns, cheesy road signs and bake sales.

Where has the investigation gone in evangelism / discipleship? The personal 'come and see'? The follow me as I follow Christ and see for yourself.

Exodus: Note the 'Lamb of God' reference to Exodus 12 - the role of the Messiah coming to eliminate sin / Savior freeing the people from their bondage to sin (world)

John / Elijah: There was an expectation that Elijah would return pre-Christ (since he did not die 2 Kings 2:11) and so many assumed John the Baptist was this Elijah though he denied it:

• Matthew 11:14 / Jesus note John as one like Elijah or is 'the' Elijah of this time and place
• Luke 1:17 / John came in the spirit and power of Elijah

Humility: John was amazingly humble for a man with such divine and social power.

Titles: In this chapter we see many titles of Jesus introduced.

1. Lamb of God
2. Son of God
3. Son of Man
4. Rabbi
5. Messiah
6. Prophet (of Moses)
7. Jesus of Nazareth / son of Joseph

Question
Is Jesus who he claimed to be? Is He whom his contemporaries claimed Him to be?

So what does your testimony look, sound and feel like? How are you confessing, testifying and modelling an actual witness to the power of the Christ?

• are we confident and calm in our gracious proclamation?
• do we know the Scriptures, the very source of our ongoing witness?
• how does the Spirit interact with you and about you in real time?
• how does your present walk with Christ testify against your past? Is there a difference?
• who are you inviting to 'come and see'?
• who is in your inner circle of friends, family, neighbors and co-workers that you might invite to investigate alongside you and your local Body?
• are you a disciple or part of the questioning crowd?

John's Story 1:1-18

Through the next season of life I'll be coursing through Johns Story of Christ with a group and as we go I'll be highlighting key points of the Text as well as those things that grab us in general conversation about Christ and His life.

This isn't meant to be a holistic study of every facet of Johns Letter nor a developed commentary but a developing conversation on the fourth Gospel. I'll attempt to note other sources both when necessary and when I simply remember to do so but it's safe to say that any original sounding ideas I may toss in the mix will have already been said by more brilliant men and women through history!

Thoughts on Authorship: John the Apostle. Check this out - Irenias, a disciple of Polycarp, a disciple of John testified that 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' (21:20), this very John the Apostle, is the author of the Text. Ah the power of intentional disciple-making.

Purpose of Letter: 'But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.' John 20:31


Text / John 1:1-18

Opening Themes
Jesus' Eternal nature
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God. (:1-3, 15)

Jesus' Divine nature
And the Word was God. (:1-5, 10-18)

Jesus' Saving-Relational nature
To those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. (:12-14)

Testimony to Jesus' nature
There came a man who was sent from God...He came as a witness to testify concerning [the] Light. (:6-9, 15)


Key Points / Here are a couple of points of interest on this go around in John.

First, the word 'Word' or in the Greek 'logos' - its use stirs up all sorts of thoughts and reflections on the ancient world and the authors intention. Two thoughts:

1. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus called the logos the 'ordering principle of the universe' - the 'divine logic'. He connected this logos to fire and that human reason was born of fire and word. The Stoics developed this concept onward.
2. Contemporary Jewish Targums on Genesis 1 used the Aramaic word 'memra' or speak, to denote the creative work of God as He used words to speak all of creation into existence from nothing. God spoke, life took shape.

The Jewish world was not only Roman occupied but Helenized in general. The Greco-Roman way of life and thought was everywhere and influencing nearly every aspect of life. For John to utilize this simple word 'logos', which carried such profound implications for his mixed audience, he must have chosen his own words very intentionally (even being carried along by the Spirit in the process 2 Peter 1:19-21).

Second, 'To those who believed in His name.' Not of natural descent, human decision or mans will but belief alone in Christ as Messiah is the key to invitation into Gods family (read 1:13).

1. What are some major implications in various systems of thought and belief as it pertains to salvation?
2. Who decides who becomes a child of God, a co-heir to the throne? Do we ourselves decide to follow Christ? Do our parents decide for us as a 'family religion'? Do we marry into Gods family or birth into it? Does God reach down and open our hearts and minds to Him or do we truly stumble across Him in our own desperate time?
3. Is the act of believing a work or is it a response?

Some thoughts and phrases taken from the Archeological Study Bible notes on John 1.

Naked Much? Probably More Than You Think

Have you ever gone streaking? My two year old in potty training does it all the time right now, it's innocent silliness...for another year at best.

In Mad City (Madison, WI) there were all sorts of public excuses to drop the formalities and go for a 5k underwear run or if I remember correctly the canoe race in your whitiest-tighties. And then your good ole fashioned streak like that guy over there. He's even casually making a call, probably checking his messages or calling his aunt who's in the hospital - normal stuff.

Let me do the classic leap to a semi-contextual spiritual point here and be the first to admit that spiritually speaking I'm a streaker.

That's right. I run around nearly every day with naught more than a pair of shoes or a belt with a sweet buckle shaped like a cross made out of fake diamonds.

To the Ephesian Church Paul laid out a pretty specific outfit for the disciple of Christ to put on daily.

'Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God s that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.' 

It's a bit awkward using myself as the main image of a spiritual streaker here with nothing more than a belt of truth on so why don't you go ahead and replace me with yourself and discern onward. Thank you.

Ever walk out of the house in the morning with nothing but a belt on? Nothing but the belt of truth draped on your hips.

Or the breastplate of righteousness...only. Like to spend time around this guy? Wearing righteousness like a bad Christmas sweater and without faith or truth to match.

What about the sandals of readiness. Sure they're beautifully ordained with the gospel of peace...but when not coupled with righteousness or a shield then I'm not sure what you're ready for.

The shield of faith is a culturally misunderstood and over politicized one. How many of us sprint out of the house in the morning with literally nothing more than a shield, even void of salvation itself, in hopes of defending Christianity from the arrows of the evil one in the culture wars? Yeah, it's like that.

Most of us are really just a bunch of naked babies running around with helmets on trying not to hurt ourselves. Let's call it what it is. We cried out to Jesus in 11th grade, strapped on our helmet, and went streaking. What do you think the likelihood is that you'll live as a dedicated and passionate disciple of Christ who makes healthy disciples if you're running around town naked alongside other naked 'brothers and sisters'?

Catch that?

A bunch of naked, immature believers who know little more than the flavor of forgiveness and freedom from sin without the belt, breastplate, sandals, shield, sword and prayer to suit up with on a daily basis. I'm sure that'll go well. Because naked people model incredible restraint and Christ-likeness around other naked people.

Some of us tend to just walk around with the Word of God as if just holding it without any other preparation or investment in the armor were necessary. A naked guy with a Bible. Not someone I want greeting my kids and I in the children's wing at a Sunday gathering with the body.

Are you naked?

Are you spiritually naked? Are you sprinting through your day with little more than a helmet and a shield while talking to grandma on the phone about kittens?

If you're a disciple of Christ then you're also an ambassador for His kingdom. Dress appropriately.

Read Ephesians 6:10-20

Manhandling OR Sharing

Is your Ministry Vision dependent on you individually to maintain its course and development?

Let me ask you this:

'if you disappeared for a year on sabbatical would you return to find the Body passionately fostering continued and innovative growth within the context of your collective vision OR deterioration, discouragement and a burden to maintain and manage your baby?'

In Scripture we find both individually empowered leaders paving the way for the Spirits work in a Body AND we also find more and more in the NT collective groups of Overseers being chosen, called and stepping up to lead the local Body as need and opportunity arises.

Whatever the context, are you singularly man-handling your vision and keeping it from: wolves, detractors, innovators, co-partners and other qualified and called leaders who might also be called to run the race alongside you in your local sphere? That may have been necessary in the beginning but as disciples are born and the body grows, is your shared top-tier Overseer leadership growing as well to form a greater more holistic vision for the Body?

What if you shared the burden?

What if Paul is right to call out a handful of leadership roles in the Church (Eph. 4 apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers) and so expect Jesus to remain the Head of the Church while these called leaders share in the work here on the ground?

What if...what if you and your APEST co-partners discerned the vision for your context and then created a platform: common purpose, language and paradigm for disciplemaking to move and breath and carry the Gospel beyond your knowledge and capacity. What if you release the vision to grow and simply personally model what your vision casts?

Are you man-handling YOUR baby OR are you fostering APEST vision while letting Jesus handle His baby?