The Missionary Spirit

What a six weeks the disciples must have gone through - first the despair of the crucifixion, then the disbelief and slow-dawning joy of the resurrection. Now notice how in anticipation of His 2nd leaving (ascension), Jesus turns the disciples vision outward with the command to "Go into all the world", to "Feed His sheep". Not only that, but Jesus promised an abiding "comforter" through His Holy Spirit, as well as the source of power and drive to fulfill the "command".

How appropriate then that our Missions Month spans this same period, drawing to a climax on Pentecost Sunday. For surely attempts at missioning without the power of the Holy Spirit is an exercise in futility, and a life "filled with the spirit" without a mission is a contradiction, for it is the Holy Spirit that gives drive and direction.

---===X===---
Acts 2 "On the day of Pentecost...they were filled with the Holy Spirit...they spoke as the spirit gave utterance... every man heard in their own language...Peter stood up and preached...this is the prophecy of Joel...witnessed to Jesus’ resurrected...they were pricked to their heart...they gladly received his word, repented, were baptised and received the Holy Spirit...about three thousand were added".
Lk.24:49 "The promise of the Father...wait in the city to be clothed with power from on high"
Jn.21:15 "...feed my sheep..."
Acts 20:28 "Care for the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseer"
Acts 1:8 "You will receive power by the Holy Spirit...you will be witnesses"
Mk.16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole world"

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