December 21
Hebrews 13:1-25; 1 Peter 1:1-2:3
In the Jesus Movement in the late 1960's to early 1970's which gave birth to Calvary Chapel, it was simple and so pure. People came, repented, accepted the gospel truth, then filled with the Holy Spirit stepped forth in boldness speaking forth from what the Holy Spirit was revealing to them. This was backed by the authority of Scripture, putting forth nothing that would contradict Scripture. They weren't overly careful about how they were perceived. They didn't focus on themselves, but their focus was on the revelation put forth through the Holy Spirit. It was not about rehearsing, but about inspiration. Consider the words in 1 Peter 1:10-12, "Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into."
The angels and prophets did not speak on their own authority or grasp of the information, they allowed themselves to be the vessels that they were called to be. Likewise, the message was not about themselves, but the focus was always on God, what He did, what He would do in the future. Consider the words in 1 Peter 1: 3-5, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Notice the complete emphasis on Him and what He has done, not about us and what we will do.
With this in mind, we should remain steadfast in His word. We should seek Him diligently. But we need not go to seminary, have some title, etc. to move forward in boldness in our own respective mission fields. We need to keep our focus on Him, not concerning ourselves with making sure that we have every answer to every question that we will face. We may look foolish, but in obedience, we will be the ambassadors that we all have been called to be. This is our commission (Matthew 28:18-20). May we all take this commission to heart, then move forward in boldness, as Paul reminded Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7, " For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: