MONTH OF ADVENTURE @monthofadventure - Tumblr Blog

WITNESS

Hello adventurers!

You thought it was all over didn’t you?

This Easter, we’re focusing on the people who saw what Jesus did, and people who have seen Jesus at work today. As we’ve travelled with the Gospels, we’ve seen so many witnesses to Jesus – from the disciples who got up close and personal, to people who saw Jesus heal and work miracles, to the opponents of Jesus who both saw what Jesus did, and acted on false claims about Jesus. When people see Jesus, when they experience Him at work firsthand, they can’t help but respond.

The next book in the Bible after the Gospels is the book of Acts. Right at the start of the book of Acts, Jesus sets the scene.

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

Then throughout Acts we see the disciples going out and sharing the Gospel – that is they share the good news, the good stories of what they have seen Jesus do. Everything from when they were called, to the cross, to the resurrection. Jesus has changed everything.

Today we have one final dare – tell your story. Make a video on your phone and share it on Facebook to all your friends. Write a status update that tells of what you have seen of Jesus. Sum it up in 140 characters and tweet it out. Write a letter and post in to as many friends as you have addresses for. Be a witness – share what you have seen Jesus do in and through your life, maybe even just share one story from this past month. The dare is to do it today, that as we move towards Good Friday and Easter Sunday we tell people of what we have seen of Jesus, that they might see and know Him too.

Sent

Day 31 HOLY WEEK John Chapters 19-21 Key verse: 20:21 ‘As the Father has sent me’ Today is the final Truth & Dare, yet in encapsulates all that we have done and seen this month. Jesus sends us in the same way that He has been sent. We are dared to go on an adventure, walking in the same footprints that Jesus left behind for us to follow. We are called not just to do good deeds for Him, but to take part in His Kingdom, His call, to follow Him and be with Him. That is the Christian life fully lived for God – to know His presence, His provision and His power at work in the world and in our lives. Today’s dare is to look back through all the places that God has taken you throughout this adventure. What can you continue to do? Write down five challenges for the next month. One of those challenges may be time taken waiting for God’s Spirit to speak, or it may be another time of stepping out to pray for or share Jesus with someone. The truth is we are sent out to follow Jesus, the dare is to be open to wherever that may lead.

Witness

Day 30 HOLY WEEK Palm Sunday John Chapters 17-18 Key verse: 18:17, 25 ‘I am not’ Here we see the contrasting reactions of Peter. Surrounded by the disciples, with Jesus and in opposition, Peter is a sword wielding attacker. Indeed He is so defensive he misunderstands the moment, and what Jesus is doing even in adversity. Yet he seems to be all or nothing. He is either so aggressively for Jesus he goes against how Jesus is bringing about His Kingdom, or he is in denial. He either cuts across the Prince of Peace on His way to the ultimate sacrificial act of love, or fearfully denies he ever knew Jesus to a little servant girl. Maybe something in that resonates with you. We can have an overwhelming boldness and enthusiasm in some situations, to the degree we don’t fully take part in the gentle way Jesus is leading us. Yet at other times we are fearful and silent, even when people recognise or call out our identity as disciples. Today’s dare is again to be a witness to what you have seen of Jesus. We are His followers, and when people ask us if we are the ones who have seen Him at work, we should take to the dock and say what we’ve seen! Maybe you could have a follow up conversation about Jesus with someone you shared with earlier in the month. Maybe you could invite someone to one of our Easter services, that they may themselves be a witness to Jesus and what He has done and is doing. Even if in the past we have run in with our swords out, or denied Jesus with our silence, we can still, like Peter, go on to be witnesses that lead people to Jesus and see Him at work in marvellous ways.

Dwell

Day 29 Palm Sunday John Chapters 15-16 Key verse: 15:5 ‘If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing’. Today’s truth is that we are not called to be successful, but to be fruitful. That is we are not called to strive but to serve. Our place is as branches, and Jesus is the vine. If we remain in Jesus, if we rest with, walk with abide with Him, then our lives will bear fruit. Today’s dare is to dwell in Jesus. Think about His words, His actions, His teachings. Meditate and chew on what we have read in the Gospels throughout this adventure. Allow the challenge of His teachings to rest in your heart. Think about all the challenges you have followed so far this month. What would your life look like if you more fully dwelled in Jesus every month? If every month was an adventure in His teachings, His lifestyle, His Kingdom? What fruit would grow in your life? Take time today for meditation and reflection, allowing yourself to rest in His love, to dwell and live in His love, as He fills every space in your heart.

Your Grace Finds Me - Matt Redman

From the creation to the cross There from the cross into eternity Your grace finds me, yes your grace finds me

Service

Day 28 John Chapters 13-14 Key verse: 13:15 ‘I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.’ We read today of another costly, undignified act of generosity. This time however, we see Jesus in the posture of humility. We see Jesus, Son of God, wrapped in a towel, kneeling at each of His disciples feet to wash and serve them. This is the astonishing upside down way of the Kingdom. Today’s truth is that we are called not to act as the world acts, posturing and positioning. We are called to radical service. We are called not just to tell the stories of Jesus, but to do what He did. That doesn’t exclusively mean we get to go out and see healings, to be teachers and troublemakers. It also means we take the servant posture He took, as we simply serve and give all of ourselves away. Today’s dare is to give a similar sacrificial act of service for a friend, maybe someone from your 2to4 or Missional Community. How could you lovingly serve them, after a long day with tired and dusty feet? Maybe you could prepare a meal, or wash a car, or look after the kids. ‘Now that you know these things, you will be blessed as you do them’. (13:17)

Carry My Soul - Phil Wickham

And I will run Lord and I won't quit Chasing Your heart Just like David did I'll coming running Through the gates Looking to Your face Oh I can hardly wait Until You carry my soul Carry my soul away

Closer

Day 27 John Chapters 11-12 Key verse: 12:5 ‘Why wasn’t this money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages’ Today’s truth is that often the most beautiful and true responses to Jesus are extravagantly costly. Mary pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, and wipes His feet with her hair. Judas, full of greed and knowing Jesus’ heart for the poor and needy highlights the madness of such an action. Yet Jesus reframes what she has done. He reveals something beautiful. When we give to Jesus that which is of great cost to us, we take part in His story, in where He is going, in what He is doing. Mary doesn’t just give something of great value; she tenderly uses her hair and draws near to Jesus. She is giving her all, and it costs personally as well as financially. Today’s dare is to also give to Jesus as an act of worship and to draw closer to Him. What could you give today that would be of great cost, in order to take part in Jesus’ story? That may be a sacrificial financial gift into something of Kingdom significance. It may be the giving of your time and talents for something which seems undignified, but when done for Jesus looks beautiful. Speak to someone in your Missional Community about how you might give today.

All Sons & Daughters - All the Poor and Powerless

And all the hearts that are content And all who feel unworthy And all who hurt with nothing left Will know that You are holy

Confront

Day 26 John Chapters 9-10 Key verse: 9:39 ‘So that the blind will see and those who see will become blind’ Today we read about conflict between Jesus and the religious. Firstly Jesus challenges the common theological interpretations of brokenness – this man is blind not as a result of sin, but to create an opportunity for God’s works to be displayed (9:3). Then He challenges the boundaries placed around God’s works – this man is healed on a Sabbath (9:16). Finally He challenges the puffed up definitions of who is in and out. The Pharisees claim they are disciples of Moses (9:28), yet they disregard Jesus because they don’t know where he comes from (9:29). Today’s truth is that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and the Gate (10:7,11). He is the only one who guides and defines who is in and who is out (10:3) – and He gives His very life for that purpose (10:15). Today’s dare is to pray for three things. That where we are blind to what Jesus is doing He would open our eyes to see. For where we are deaf to Jesus’ voice we would have open ears to hear and follow Him. Finally for where our built up religious expectations would stop us taking part in the work of His kingdom, that Jesus would challenge and confront us, and lead us back to Himself. If in praying Jesus brings to light areas for you to change, share them with a friend that they may pray with you for Jesus to lead and transform.

Relentless - Hillsong United

Tearing through the veil of darkness Breaking every chain, You set us free Fighting for the furthest heart You gave Your own life for all to see

Thirst

Day 25 John Chapters 7-8 Key verse: 7:37 ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink’ Here we see Jesus face up to opposition throughout the festival of Sukkot. This festival celebrates the time Israel spent in the desert after leaving Egypt, and The Lord’s miraculous provision of quail, manna and water throughout this time. Yet Jesus teaches that He himself is our portion and our provision. He is the bread of life and living water and those who share in Him may never hunger or thirst again. What are you needs today? Come to Jesus, and He Himself will be what you need. He will make rivers of living water flow within, that is, He will fill you with His Spirit (7:38-39). To respond to today’s truth open yourself up to His Spirit again. If you feel thirsty, needy, desperate, come to Jesus. Take half an hour today to ask for His Spirit to flow within again. That may be in a quiet space in your home, out in the open air on a walk, or you could come to the PrayerBase today and just wait on Him. Jesus Himself is all you need. Today our PrayerBase is open all day, and people with particularly be gathering between 6:30-8:30am, 1-2pm and 7-9pm to ask Jesus for His provision, for the living water of His Spirit to flow through His Church.

This Is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham

Who rules the nations with truth and justice?

The king of Glory

Breakthrough

Day 24 John Chapters 5-6 Key verse: 5:6 ‘Do you want to get well?’ Today we read about an ‘invalid’ of 30 years, lay desperate. Jesus arrives as the one who can heal, and asks an obvious question – ‘do you want to get well?’. The man responds with excuses. For years he has been there, yet he is no closer to healing as people get in ahead of him. Today’s truth is that Jesus is the healer who can tell us to pick up our mat and we are well. Do you have a long standing illness? Have you given up on praying to Jesus for something? Do you blame your place in the queue for the situation you find yourself in? Ask Jesus for a breakthrough. The dare is to ask someone to pray for you today, for a breakthrough moment in a long-term struggle. Let’s call out for Jesus to meet us, knowing that in a moment he can change everything.

All Sons and Daughters - Brokenness Aside

But You are a Savior And You take brokenness aside And make it beautiful Beautiful

Truth

Day 23 John Chapters 3-4 Key verse: 3:21 ‘Those who live by the truth come into the light, so that it may be seen plainly what they have done has been done in the sight of God’ Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. He comes in secret, yet he comes face to face with a powerful truth: Jesus is the light. Light speaks of hope, of finding, of drawing people in. Yet people love the darkness and the concealment it brings. To come to Jesus is to come to hope, but it is also to strip away the coverings we hold around ourselves. For today’s dare, firstly write down both the positive and negative deeds you have done in this past week. Everything that we do, whether damaging or constructive, has been ‘in the sight of God’. Then take your list to the Father in prayer. Acknowledge His presence in the good and in the bad, and allow Him to speak and guide. Next the tricky part – to really live out our lives in the light, call or meet up with your 2to4, and share one or two issues that God has really spoken into. If time is tight today, then arrange a time for coffee later in the week and don’t allow this opportunity to come into the light pass by.

It's not too late to join the adventure!

We’re into the final 10 days of our adventure, so let us together really make the most of our time left. Tonight after the 7pm service in the PrayerBase we’ll be spending some time worshipping and asking for more of God’s presence amongst us. Remember each day this week the PrayerBase is an open space for you to gather with your 2to4 or Missional Community, to fast a meal and set the time apart for prayer. Monday to Friday we have a quiet open space between 6:30-8:30am for you to come and read and reflect. Each evening Monday-Thursday 7-9pm we have an open time of worship in the PrayerBase together, as we strip back all programs and schedules to see where Jesus wants to lead us. Every Wednesday 1-2pm we’re all aiming to fast lunch together and call out to Jesus for His provision, with the PrayerBase open again at that time for people to gather together. Finally every Saturday we have a box of resources laid out for people to come and pray creatively in families, as we invite our Children and young people to join the adventure with us.

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MONTH OF ADVENTURE