June 19th - Ch 4 and Ch 5
Intro
The disciples could not help but be impressed with the fact that Jesus' life was a life of giving. He reflected the supreme demonstration of love as he literally gave his life away. They were constantly impressed that he loved a lost world. Jesus both understood and attempted to convey to them that he had been set apart for the evangelistic end of giving his life for the worlds redemption. Through Jesus' demonstration, the disciples learned what real consecration meant. The fact that they learned self-giving was to be a factor by which the multitudes were to be convinced of the reality of the Gospel.
But the Twelve could never exhibit this kind of love part from the impartation of Jesus' own life to them. This he did when he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell their lives. In giving the Holy Spirit to his followers, Jesus was also equipping them for evangelistic ministry. He frequently emphasized the fact that evangelism was not a human undertaking but a work of the Holy Spirit. His last hours with the Twelve were spent assuring them that the Holy Spirit would be adequate equipment for the evangelistic task. And so it is today. Jesus' followers must have his life through the indwelling Spirit if his work is to be accomplished in and through the church. Only then will we be properly motivated. Only then will wee possess the power to make him known. Only then will we demonstrate the self-sacrificing spirit necessary for effective evangelism.
It was a deliberate part of the strategy of Jesus to demonstrate the kind of life he planned for his people to live. Thus, the Twelve observed in him the life they were to live and teach. Everything about him was a demonstration for their sake and ours. He purposely let them see him talking with his Father in prayer. They saw what it did for him and yearned to know more of its power in their own lives. We must be willing to demonstrate with our own lives what we want people to learn. We must pray with them, study the scriptures with them, and take them with us as we attempt to win others to Christ. We will impart the way of live to others only as they see it in us. This is the Masters method and its' implementation is a must if others are to be adequately trained to do his work.
But the Twelve could never exhibit this kind of love part from the impartation of Jesus' own life to them. This he did when he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell their lives. In giving the Holy Spirit to his followers, Jesus was also equipping them for evangelistic ministry. He frequently emphasized the fact that evangelism was not a human undertaking but a work of the Holy Spirit. His last hours with the Twelve were spent assuring them that the Holy Spirit would be adequate equipment for the evangelistic task. And so it is today. Jesus' followers must have his life through the indwelling Spirit if his work is to be accomplished in and through the church. Only then will we be properly motivated. Only then will wee possess the power to make him known. Only then will we demonstrate the self-sacrificing spirit necessary for effective evangelism.
It was a deliberate part of the strategy of Jesus to demonstrate the kind of life he planned for his people to live. Thus, the Twelve observed in him the life they were to live and teach. Everything about him was a demonstration for their sake and ours. He purposely let them see him talking with his Father in prayer. They saw what it did for him and yearned to know more of its power in their own lives. We must be willing to demonstrate with our own lives what we want people to learn. We must pray with them, study the scriptures with them, and take them with us as we attempt to win others to Christ. We will impart the way of live to others only as they see it in us. This is the Masters method and its' implementation is a must if others are to be adequately trained to do his work.
Form
Supplemental Resources
Chapter 4 Impartation (26:13)
Chapter 5 Demonstration (17:04)