Discipleship and Mission Thoughts | Empowered by the Spirit

 

 

Empowered by the Spirit | Verge 2013 Discipleship and Mission Thoughts Part 2 of 3

The Verge 2013 Conference held at Austin City Limits in Austin, Texas was a pivotal moment in God revealing the vision He had for Emmaus City Church. Here is our first post based on reflections about discipleship and mission during that time:

• Lifting Up Jesus | Discipleship and Mission Thoughts Part 1 of 3

Now for some quotes on the need for the Holy Spirit to empower the church as Jesus said He would and must in order for us to be witnesses and disciple makers. This time, instead of quick reflections from me after each quote, I will share verses that support the quote. For more new updates, like and follow Emmaus City on Facebook.

"Could it be that in the messiness of life we actually 
invite the Holy Spirit in to do the supernatural?"

– Dave Gibbons

visionary, activist, creative

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. ... And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes and be careful to obey My rules.'"  
– Isaiah 57:15, Ezekiel 36:26-27

  

"Fruitfulness is more important than success."

– Mike Breen

vicar, missional community creator, innovator

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ... Do not fear what you are about to suffer. ... Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. "  
– Galatians 5:16-17, 22-25; Revelation 2:10

 

 "We have to listen to the Spirit and teach others to listen to Him. 
The Spirit is the primary discipler, not us."

– Caesar Kalinowski

church planter, missional strategist, storyteller

"And while staying with them (Jesus) ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, 'you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. ... You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.' ... '(Jesus) commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.' While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the Word. ... 'the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.'"  

– Acts 1:4, 8, 10:42-44; John 14:26

 "May we not just be informed but also transformed by this great Gospel."

– Kevin Peck

pastor, teacher, strategist

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. ... I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." – 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Romans 12:1-2

 

"Because self is no longer our God, safety is no longer our concern."

– David Platt

author, pastor, scholar, teacher

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. ... let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. ... And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' 'Blessed indeed,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!'" – Revelation 2:7, 11; 14:13

Next post: Discipleship and Mission Thoughts Part 3 of 3 | Being God's Sent Church

– Sully
 
Curiosity piqued? Something inside you being stirred? Go ahead and connect.