I’m Sending You

I’m Sending You

Reading: Job 16-17; Acts 24-26 17 “ ‘I’m sending you off…18 to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’ (Acts 26:17-18 MSG) I wonder how many times Paul told this story of his encounter with the risen Christ on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus. I wonder in how many settings and in how many countries he repeated the story of his conversion from Jesus-hater to faithful follower of Jesus. Paul was a church-planter, a theologian, a miracle-worker, a leader-developer, and a problem solver for the churches. But here, before King Agrippa, he once again spells out his evangelistic call and message in the simple story of his own conversion to faith in Jesus Christ. The evangelistic component of the faith-life is summed up right here: • Be a witness to an encounter with the risen Jesus Christ.
• Show the difference between dark and light so people can choose light.
• Show the difference between Satan and God so people can choose God.
• Present God’s offer of sins forgiven.
• Invite people into the family so they can begin really living. Paul told the story of his journey from darkness to light, from being used by Satan to being used by God. People could see the difference Christ made in Paul’s life. Then he presented the offer: Sins forgiven, invitation into God’s family, real life. The Good News message is still that simple: Story of life-change beginning with an encounter with Jesus, live so people can see the difference between dark and light, offer the forgiveness of sins, make an invitation to join God’s family. Prayer: Father, Please help me to live so that people can see in me the difference between light and dark. Help me to be clear on the simplicity of the message. Help me to be faithful to tell the story (The Jesus story – my story) declare the offer and invite them to join the faith family. Amen.