John Lloyd - Living Sent
/Growing in Our Walk with Jesus: Living Sent
John 20:19-21
June 2, 2019
Pastor John Lloyd
Devoting attention to our walk with God is important and should be a priority. How is it going? How could it improve? First is our relationship with God. Second is our relationships with other Christians. Third is daily pouring out the love and resources of God to those outside our door. Today, we will focus on how to live, as being sent, by reaching out to others both within and without our relational network. Living sent…. Pastor John
John 20:19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Memory Verse: 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (Also read Matthew 22:37-39).
Big Idea: Growing in our walk with Jesus means we live as one who has been sent. Living sent leads me to pour out what I have received into others both within and outside of my relational network.
Review: The following make for a strong walk with Jesus:
1. Our relationship with God, Matthew 22:37.
2. Our relationships with others within our community, Matthew 22:39.
3. Our relationships with others outside of our community.
BLESS: Begin with prayer, Listen with empathy, Eat with others, Serve with love and Share your story.
I. To live as being sent, we must receive the _______ who was sent.
John 1: 12 But to all who did receive (welcome) him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Believe- is written78 times in John’s writings, three English words to capture the meaning: believe, trust and faith. Biblical faith or trust is not primarily something we do, but someone in whom we put our trust.
“If you do not see a gift held out to you, or if you see it but do not accept it as real, you won’t stretch out your hand to take it. Believing in Jesus involves seeing Him presented as God’s Son, accepting that description as real, and simply stretching out your hand to accept God’s gift of eternal life. You then become what you were not: a child of God.” Larry Richards
John 13:20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
John 20:19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (I John 3:1-2)
“When you know that you are beloved by God, you can enter into the sufferings and problems of others letting them know that they are loved.”
Take Away Principle: We can only give out of what we have received.
The more we have received the more we can give!
II. Living sent sees God in the ________________ of life.
Acts 17:24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.
Psalm 139:1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
Take away principle: We need to bloom where we are planted. God has placed me where He wants me to grow and minister.
III. Living sent means voluntary displacement and ________ mobility.
John 21:18 “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”
Everything inside me is wired for upward mobility except the Holy Spirit has wired us for downward mobility. God wants me to pour out what has been poured into my soul.
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
Philippians 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Two tools needed: God’s compassion and gratitude
John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
How can you be of service right where you are? What is your ministry to others? Where are you to spend your time? Go to the place where people are in pain but go with others who have received grace and compassion.
Living sent brings great health to our walk with God!
Spiritual Growth Questions for June 2, 2019
Opener: Describe the most missional person you have ever met. What stood out to you as you spent time with them?
1. Read John 20:19-31. Make as many observations as you can about this text and its key words and principles. What stands out to you about Jesus’ interaction with Thomas? How did the disciples apply their experience with Jesus? Where did Thomas end up serving God? What is this passage teaching us about living sent?
2. Read Acts 20:31-39. As you read Paul’s last words to the church of Ephesus, what observations do you see in these verses? What words stand out to you? Why is Paul saying this and what is he hoping they will do? Ask God to speak through his Word to your soul. Where could this be applied in your life right now? How does Paul encourage them to live sent?
3. Read Acts 17:22-32. As you read Paul’s address to the people of Athens, what words and principles stand out to you? What was the response from the group? How can what Paul did here help us with our approach to people in our relational network? What can we learn from Paul about living sent?
4. Consider the BLESS approach. Begin with Prayer, Listen with empathy, Eat with others, Serve in love and Share your Story. Ask God for one person you could minister to in this way. Share with a friend for prayer and support. Spend time praying for whoever God puts on your heart. How can this approach help us to live sent?
5. Where is a place of pain that you could go to bring God’s love to those suffering? Who could you take with you to minister together? Make a specific time to do this and share what happens with a friend or your small group.
Memory Verse: John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”