Wildfire May 2012 | 页面 2

READY STEADY GO! - By Dave Harper Handovers matter. If they are done well things prosper, done badly then everything can fall apart. A dropped baton, the wrong appointment, a misjudged strategy and it can all go wrong very quickly. Jesus had to get it right. What he had 'begun to do and to teach' (Acts 1:1) was to be continued by his followers, they were to do what he had been doing! Quite a tall order, but Jesus had said that anyone who had faith in him would do the things he had been doing ( John 14:12). The Book of Acts is testimony to a successful handover as revival spread across the Roman empire. Jesus had prepared his disciples for the handover and they obeyed and followed his instruction. So what were the essential ingredients to the handover? Three things stand out. First, he gave clear instructions after his resurrection as to what his followers were to do. They where to 'go'. (Matt 28:19). This command was to propel them into the world telling people about Jesus. Evangelism has been described as ‘those who know Jesus, telling those who don’t know him’. They went with his authority (28:18) and with the promise that he would always be with them . Secondly, in the 40 days after his resurrection we are told in Acts 1:2-3 that Jesus gave the disciples instruction and spoke about the kingdom of God. The theology of the Kingdom gives understanding and acts as a powerful motivator to action. The kingdom of God is God's rule breaking into this world, revealing the heart and the power of God to set people free. Thirdly, they needed the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfil this divine plan. They had to wait for this empowering, but once the Holy Spirit came there was no stopping them! In summary, they were to go out into the world, advancing God's kingdom in the power of the Holy Spirit. We would like to spend time learning and reflecting on Jesus’ method for gospel advance and considering how we can put these ingredients into action. Contact Details: E: [email protected] W: www.churchinthepeak.org.uk T: 01629 584 783 A: Unit 4, Olde Englishe Road, Matlock, DE4 3RR Church in the Peak, Matlock is a Registered Charity: No 702245 Page 2