Discipleship Point and Prayer
FRIDAY'S BIT OF
DISCIPLESHIP
In times of success, more than even times of defeat, we should spend more time in prayer and confession, not less. Often it is the times of defeat that motivate us to seek God's help and purify our lives. But what do we do in times of success? It is a powerful test... In our times of success, we must ask who is being lifted up and who is being glorified. Is it the risen Christ or that rascal self?
p.140, The Prideful Soul’s Guide to Humility, Fontenot/Jones
MISSIO DEI
Discipleship Point
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF “ONE HOLY CHRISTIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH” IN LIGHT OF THE MISSIO DEI IN JOHN 17?
John 17:18
As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
~ Jesus (praying to Father God)
For centuries, the Christian community of faith and mission has confessed one holy Christian (catholic) apostolic church in the Nicene Creed. This reflects the Missio Dei. Today we focus on:
Apostolic. The church is apostolic. That means it is a sent church. It is also therefore a missionary church (John 17:18). Related root words to “apostolic” are mentioned seven times in John.
Basing its life on the teachings of the Apostle Jesus Christ Himself, the church is sent into the world while not being of the world. The apostolic church leaves, goes, and takes the Gospel to the world. The apostolic church has the authority of Christ Himself, just as the Apostles, who were the immediate sent ones of Christ, to proclaim and live the Good News in order that people trust in Jesus and be saved. The apostolic church is engaged with, receives, and participates in Christ’s sending as it embraces Christ in saving faith.
See the following Scriptures in your bible or on pp. 248-249 of The Great Sending book: Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Peter 2:9, John 17:20, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 4:3-6, Romans 12:4-5, 1 Peter 2:5, Acts2:42. For further study see the Third Article, the Apostle’s Creed, in Luther’s Small Catechism.
Discipleship Prayer
Lord Jesus, I pray that my local church and Your church at-large adopt the apostolic spirit You intend for us. Help me see that, as part of Your Kingdom, I am personally sent into the local community as well as the local church – to love and serve. In your name Jesus we pray. Amen.
John 17:20-26
Jesus Prays for All Believers
The
Great Sending
Word of the Day
John 17:20-26
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”