You may know this famous speech in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, where Hamlet seems to contemplate and think out loud about life all by himself. This is surely not a literature class and we only borrowed this opening phrase to show you one of the priorities of Jesus: TO BE.
“And when He had called His twelve disciples TO HIM, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” ~ Matthew 10:1
Jesus first called the disciples to Himself – to be with Him – and then after He sent them or gave them an assignment. He then gave them the power to accomplish the task He gave them (read Mark 3:14-15).
"He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons." ~ Mark 3:14-15
This shows God’s order and His clear priority for His disciples or the people He calls (you and I). The order cannot and should not be reversed! Relationship first! This is what He is interested in first! ~ Rev Simon Ampofo.
- That they may be with Him (personal relationship), and
- That He may send them (ministry/service), and
- Back them with power or authority (anointing).
I pray we all develop first our personal relationship with God and from there, may He send us to be a blessing to this generation, backed with His mighty power and authority!
- Unfortunately, most of us Christians compensate our relationship with God with what we do for God.
- God is not interested in what we do but in what we are with Him.
- God is not impressed when we’ve lost touch with Heaven and are busy with activities in His name.
- God is not impressed with your doing; rather, He desires your being! To Be or Not To Be.
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
Notice that all the questions of the Pharisees and religious folks were about, “What do we do? or What must I do?” You see, religion is about Do’s and Don’ts but Christianity is about a relationship with our Father. Christianity is about being and knowing.
It is a call to intimacy before exploits. Our zeal to work for Him must not precede and supersede our quest to walk with Him.
So on that day many will say, “I did this, I did that” but God will say, “Depart from me… I didn’t know you!” (Matthew 7:21-23) Indicating that there was no relationship! To Be or Not To Be.
In John 5:16-19, the religious folks began to persecute Jesus again. And their main problem was why Jesus was calling God His Father! They couldn’t understand how He could use such words: my Father! (Like how dare you!? We cannot can! We will kill you today).
But you see, Jesus had a personal relationship/connection with God. And this is what He is teaching you and me that this kingdom is all about. This is the priority! To Be or Not To Be.
"And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease." ~ Matthew 10:1
- Power is given! Power for ministry is given from above.
- Power is not something you create from within, it is conferred on you from above!
- Power is also given to accomplish certain tasks; God is not going to entrust His power to just anyone but to those accomplishing His will (v7-8).
"And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."
- Get on with your assignment; God’s power backs His commission.
- Many of us cannot give because we have not received. And when you receive freely, you will give freely.
- Remember the order: Be with Him; He will send you eventually, and when He does, He will back you with His power!
There is much to share, but hey, you’re blessed!
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