Jesus Sent as The Gospel Messenger
Matthew 9:35-38, John 12: 44-47, John 20:21
“Just as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you” (John 20:21).
If you have been involved with our church in the last five years, you know how prominent this verse is. We have always been dedicated to being a church of disciples who make disciples, and in that, we send people across the Northwest to start planting NEW churches.
Back in 2017, Resonate Church had the goal of planting 21 churches by the year 2021. We were on our way to completing this when we were all hit with a global pandemic. This mark in history seriously shifted our plans and strategies, but this verse didn’t stop applying to us. Our circumstances do not change God’s truth and how it is implemented in our lives. We have a sending God, and we see this in how He sent His son, Jesus.
Jesus taught frequently to His disciples and followers the importance of preaching the gospel, even before His death and resurrection. The gospel truth reminds us that we no longer have to live in the shame of our brokenness, past, or destruction done to us but instead can walk in forgiveness and be unified with God because of His son’s death and resurrection. This truth, which applies to all of us (Romans 3:23), outlasts any goal, vision, or idea that humanity could create. So when Jesus proclaims the Gospel to crowds or individuals, He is well aware of the impact it will leave on the generations to come. He understands that the seeds He is sewing are not in vain but are for God’s glory. In proclaiming the gospel, it brought healing, forgiveness, vulnerability, and stirred His heart to have compassion for those he was ministering to.
Let’s address the bitterness in our hearts. The sin and bitterness that rests in us that we listen or engage with different podcasts, books, manifesting, and many other worldly means. Do we believe that true redemption comes from the gospel alone? That the truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is the only thing that can save us? Just as Jesus proclaimed the gospel and had compassion for those around him, we should also feel compelled to share and proclaim the gospel to others. Sharing the gospel with others allows us to also share it with ourselves, reminding us that we are just in need of that saving power.
How have you felt tempted to fall into sin and not proclaim the Gospel with others?
How can you still live on mission even when your circumstances aren’t ideal?
