Here's some notes from my latest chapel talk at CU...
Implications of the Incarnation:
A Journey from Spectator to Participant in God’s Kingdom Ventures
The Power of Jesus’ Engagement:
JOHN 1:14…
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
HEBREWS 2:14-18
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Some of the differences between the bench and the field…
*Watching things happen vs. determining the outcome
*Making comments about what is wrong vs. being part of a solution
*Wishing you could be part of something cool vs. living out a Kingdom-sized dream
An Old Testament Model…
NEHEMIAH 4:13-23:
So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes." Our enemies learned that we knew all about their plan and that God had frustrated it. And we went back to the wall and went to work. From then on half of my young men worked while the other half stood guard with lances, shields, bows, and mail armor. Military officers served as backup for everyone in Judah who was at work rebuilding the wall. The common laborers held a tool in one hand and a spear in the other. Each of the builders had a sword strapped to his side as he worked. I kept the trumpeter at my side to sound the alert. Then I spoke to the nobles and officials and everyone else: "There's a lot of work going on and we are spread out all along the wall, separated from each other. When you hear the trumpet call, join us there; our God will fight for us.“ And so we kept working, from first light until the stars came out, half of us holding lances. I also instructed the people, "Each person and his helper is to stay inside Jerusalem—guards by night and workmen by day." We all slept in our clothes—I, my brothers, my workmen, and the guards backing me up. And each one kept his spear in his hand, even when getting water.
Three factors that keep us sitting getting spiritual splinters…
*DIFFERENT REPUTATION
*RELATIONSHIP RISKS
*FAILURE
ACTS 17:6
“Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down, and now they are here disturbing our city,” they shouted.
God wants you ON THE FLOOR
*Are you watching God’s work in the world or are you part of His Kingdom strategy being fleshed out among His people?
*Where do you currently need to get into the game and take advantage of a clear opportunity you have to use your gifts to change people’s lives and the world for Jesus’ sake?
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