Thoughts from Pete’s Message February 7, 2018

His Mission: Our Co-Mission

Mama said, “be careful who your friends are, because whatever they’re like you’ll be like.” According to scripture, “bad company corrupts good morals.” In our Christian “band of brothers,” I’m here because you’re here. You make me want to be a better man.

Bryan Craig, Influencer’s National director says our ministry is a Journey for men who want to abide with Christ. Isaiah received revelation about Jesus’ mission.
Isaiah 61 says, “THE Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2. To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3. To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

Jesus Christ came to fulfill this prophecy. He defined his mission by opening his ministry with a quote from this passage in Luke 4: 17-19. At his first coming he came “to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” He will fulfill the rest of this prophecy at his second coming.

Jesus’ mission was to “Proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound…to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” The process of Journey Groups is designed to set people free as we journey together to follow our Lord Jesus Christ. Influencers Journey groups grow organically as men step up to journey together with their fellow believers in their sphere of influence. As we men grow in our vertical relationship with Christ, our intimate relationship with Christ allows us to live graciously and lovingly with the ones we love.

According to Matthew 28:19-20, the great co-mission is, “go ye therefore into all the world and make disciples of all men, baptizing them ….and lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world.” In Acts. 1:8, the disciples asked Jesus when he would return. Jesus said, “that’s in God’s timing, but ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be my witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and unto the uttermost part of the world.” The witness is in the new life in Christ when he is the object of our faith.

We’ve been sanctified, and set apart for his purpose when we enter into his presence. Oswald Chambers said the “rugged reality” is redemption in Christ. For we’ve been bought with a price. We’re no longer our own, but Christ lives in us and through us when he calls us according to His purpose. After Jesus said that you’ll be my witnesses, he was lifted up out of their sight.

We’re witnesses by how we react to the difficult times in our lives. Through the trial others will see that He is our peace through the storm…that he’s the healer of broken hearts. Continuing in Acts 1, As the disciples were looking up, two men in white asked them, “Why are you looking intently into the sky? He will come again in like manner.” Our hope is in looking forward to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Meanwhile, he’s called us to fellowship with our brothers in Christ. If our commitment is to the great commission, things that used to bother us no longer matter. Hurts and disappointments no longer turn into bitterness and resentment. We take on the new nature of our Resurrected Lord. His nature is grace, mercy, forgiveness and love. Our witness is to walk in the newness of life. Upon this Journey to abide with him and to walk with him, he will change our hearts to be witnesses of the gospel of Christ.

May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael