The Final Conversations with Christ- Part 7

 

During Jesus’ time on earth, the disciples boldly followed him, often disregarding their “common sense” to take part in something beyond human comprehension. Whether it be following Jesus and walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33), shamelessly proclaiming the gospel (Mark 6:12), faithfully praying over the sick (Luke 9:1-6), or boldly casting out demons through Jesus’ authority (Luke 9:1-6), the disciples took part in some crazy stuff! However, following Jesus while he was on earth was only the beginning of their journey. They would go on to give their lives and change the world through proclaiming the gospel.

Reading the history of all the adventures, trials, and miracles the disciples were a part of in the Bible can seem a bit “story-like,” or unrealistic in comparison to what we know as “modern-day Christianity” at times. In reality, however, God CAN and does still move though people in a mighty way. It wasn’t Jesus leaving earth that changed anything, as we see through the countless number of miracles that took place after his ascent. Rather, it is a matter of obedience. In John 14:26, Jesus tells the disciples of a new teacher that would lead them. As he describes, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Furthermore, Jesus describes in John 16:8-11 that the Holy Spirit will bring a new understanding of righteousness. Likewise, instead of verbally hearing Jesus’ instructions, the disciples would shift to listening through the Holy Spirit.

Although Jesus was not physically present after his departure to Heaven, the disciples still maintained a responsibility to be obedient to God. As it is recorded, their obedience after Jesus left earth continued to enable them to take part in incredible things. They prayed over people who were healed (Acts 3:6-8), they boldly prayed with God’s authority to cast out demons (Acts 5:16), and they passionately preached the gospel.

In the same way, we, too can be a part of God’s incredible plans. However, that is dependent on our willingness to follow the Holy Spirit. Let us follow the example of the disciples, and boldly obey God’s direction. Imagine what would happen if we completely surrendered our “common sense” our dignity, or our earthly desires to be a part of something so much greater.

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant

Edited by: De Ann Sturdivant

The Final Conversations with Christ- Part 6

I love how God orchestrates the way we receive the teaching of His Word. If you’ve been attending church on Sunday for “The Final Conversations of Christ,” as well as Thrive on Wednesdays for Randy Brokaw’s “A Vital Connection: Are you IN?” then you’ve experienced the connectedness between teachings. And I can assure you that Randy and Aaron did not plan that. The Holy Spirit did.

We probably aren’t strangers to this portion of scripture – John 15:1-17. The whole “He is the vine, we are the branches” passage is one we’ve read a million times, so I was convinced that no new revelation would be presented. Plus, I was a pretty good student back in school, so the vine/branch analogy wouldn’t be lost on me. However, I realized after Randy’s teaching and Sunday’s message that I must have completely spaced out during the biology unit in school regarding horticulture and plant stuff – yes, “plant stuff.”  I realized that I hadn’t grasped the concept as well as I thought I had all these years.

Again, I love the way God orchestrates the teaching of His Word to reveal new revelations to those of us who’ve “heard all of this before” – specifically with the idea of “bearing fruit.” I often read scripture and think, “How does this bless me? How does this make me a better person?” (gasp! ) These teachings on the Vine and the Branches revealed to me how little “bearing fruit” has to do with me at all! When I, as a branch, bear fruit as a result of being in the Vine, that fruit is meant to sustain and nourish those around me. The branch doesn’t eat its own fruit. The fruit is to nourish others with love. If I’m not exhibiting such love, then I’m just like that weird, dead branch that was on the stage Sunday. (See what excitement you lose out on when you miss church?)

As we begin to wind down these final conversations of Christ, my prayer is that I would bear much fruit to bring health and love to those around me! That’s my prayer for you, too!

Written by: Jaime Hlavin

Edited by: Tamara Sturdivant

The Final Conversations with Christ- Part 4

At church camp several years ago, I distinctly remember pushing my way up to the front of the sanctuary on the infamous “Holy Spirit Wednesday,” hoping that it would be my year. The speaker, per usual, gave an incredible, compelling message that inspired everyone to actively pursue the Spirit. As hundreds of us gathered at the altar, I quickly began to hear the voices around me speak in tongues, crying out, and joyfully praising God. As I stood there, surrounded by friends that seemed to be having an incredible encounter with God, I was wondering why I wasn’t experiencing the same thing. The Holy Spirit was for everyone, right?

As I look back on this moment, I see many issues with the way I was “pursuing” the Spirit. First of all, I was comparing myself to everyone around me, and asking God to give me what He was giving everyone else instead of being open to whatever He wanted to speak into my life. Secondly, I was pursuing the act of speaking in tongues instead of the Holy Spirit, himself. Moreover, I wasn’t willing to wait patiently on God.

Several months later, I began to sense that God was speaking to me on this issue. Through personal Bible reading and a very specific sermon about waiting on the Lord, I started to feel convicted of the way I was pursuing my relationship with God (and the Holy Spirit). I had become so consumed with what I wanted God to give me that I was missing out on what He was actually speaking to me.

Shortly after coming to this realization, there was an opportunity for an open altar time in youth group. On this particular Wednesday, I had plans to hang out with friends at Wendy’s—so I was not really “feeling” the whole “seeking the Holy Spirit” thing. However, as my friends began to exit the sanctuary, I felt God nudging me to spend a little bit more time in His presence. Honestly…in that moment I was very tempted to go get my chicken nuggets and fries instead of hanging back in prayer. However, I chose to listen to God and spend more time seeking Him. It was that evening that I was baptized with the Holy Spirit.

As ridiculous as my story may be, I learned a very important principle through this experience. As Pastor Aaron challenged us on Sunday, we must be willing to linger longer in the presence of God. His presence is always with us, but how often do we just move on to something else that grabs our attention?

Secondly, Pastor Aaron challenged us to listen up. It’s so easy to fall into the habit of making a prayer “checklist,” but what would happen if we were willing to simply listen for what God is speaking to us?

Finally, in order to become closer to the Spirit, we must live out our faith. As John 14:15-17 states,

If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

What Jesus is speaking to the disciples about in this passage is that they must learn to be obedient to God’s voice. They must seek the guidance of his Spirit, and follow His instruction in order to remain close to God after Jesus departs from earth. In the same way, we must actively pursue God. We must listen for His voice. We must be willing to linger in His presence. We must be willing to live out the instructions He gives us.

I encourage you, if you can relate to my story, to stop limiting God to what you want Him to do. Start seeking all that he is, and all that He has for you. When we are open, willing, and actively pursuing, God WILL speak.

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant

Edited by: Jaime Hlavin