For he whom God has sent utters the words of God (Jn 3:34a ESV)
These words are part of the testimony of John the Baptist about Jesus, nevertheless they apply to anyone sent of God. For as Jesus himself said: As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you (Jn 20:21). Indeed this verse represents the very essence of what it is to be the Church of Jesus. The two irreducible things we must always be is: sent and speaking. Or to put it another way: apostolic and prophetic. The foundational ministries for the church are Apostles and Prophets (Eph 2:20). There is no dichotomy between God's plan for an apostolic church, and his will for a prophetic people - they are one and the same. To be apostolic we must be prophetic; to be prophetic we must be apostolic. To speak the words of God we must be sent, and if we are sent then we are sent with the word of God.
This is also a great promise, a guarantee, that if we go where and when we are sent, then he will also give us his words to speak. The end of the verse tells us not only how, but when and where:
for he gives the Spirit without measure.
Without limitation! We are God's apostolic and prophetic people wherever we go, and whenever we are there. We are sent with something to say!
3 comments:
Amen Chris! Fantastically clear and encouraging post. Thanks!
We're all sent to testify to Jesus and according to Revelation 19:10 "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy".
I believe that as we simply start sharing with others the goodness of Jesus that is within us, then we'll see a manifestation of His glory - including the spirit of prophecy which testifies of Him. We live in an age where God has made us hungry for signs and wonders - how about WE become mobile signs, authenticated by HIS wonders? I believe we'll see a whole new "layer" of spiritual gifting emerge as we sharpen our focus on going into all the world.
that is so true...we are indeed sent to be prophetic and sending is always preceded by appointing and equipping for the same.
wat a co-incedence, i just taught on the same topic to my students in my last lecture of the Church being 'a sent one'
The great aim of the apostolic Chris is to produce an apostolic people. The same is true with the prophetic, it's not something we're trying to become it's something that we are. What we need is a revelation of it. And we need both gifts flowing together not in competition but finding a oneness of flow so that the church is equiped and comes to maturity.
The other thing that excites me is that apostles and prophets are ministries to the body. They are not to be limited by where they just function but have a heart and a faith for all of Gods people, so they flow and function and equip all of Gods people, I believe we're in a time where that is starting to happen.
blessings to you
Jonathan
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