God commissions – part 1 of 3 (a 40-day devotional series)

(In 2017, I wrote this series for the 40 days prior to Easter to prepare our hearts and minds for the significance of Jesus’ resurrection.  I’m reposting the series now for the 40 days after Easter to encourage us to follow through, living in the risen Savior and King.)

wpid-devotionals.jpegIf you’ve been reading the devotionals over the past five days, you know we’ve been looking at specific ways that the gospel of Christ is revealed in the creation week – ways that Jesus also calls us to love, since He created us in His image.  If you’re just tuning in, I encourage you to take some time to familiarize yourself with the principles In the introductory video, Introduction to the eight “P”s of the gospel.

Each day over the next three days, we’ll cover one of Jesus’ three positions (I.e., roles or functions) for which God chose/anointed Him. In fact, Jesus’ title “Messiah” or “Christ” comes from the Hebrew and Greek word that we translate as “chosen” or “anointed”.

After we finish the three-day overview of the three positions of Christ, we’ll conclude this mini-series with a devotional on the peace of Christ.

Each of these eight “P”s of the gospel build upon and interlock with each other, so we must not leave any out or consider any as isolated from the others.  They are like layers of brick on a strong foundation.  They are like pieces of a puzzle that becomes clearer as we identify the several scenes and how they fit together.

Because each of these pieces of the gospel picture are so critical, full and may be new to you, I don’t want to give you too much too fast.  So over each of the next three days, I’m only offering a video of my wife and I in a practical discussion about living in Jesus’ image in these roles.  Then I’ll provide a few questions to prompt your discussion and prayer.  Today’s subject is the position of Jesus as Prophet and His call for His people to live in that aspect of His image.

 

What are some of the truths from His Word that Jesus has taught you (or is teaching you) that especially strengthen your faith to follow Him?

How would you respond to someone who said that they don’t believe it’s important to study or even read the entire Bible?

How does the fact that Jesus is the Great Prophet equip and encourage you to live in His image by telling others “top-down commands” from God – especially Christians in leadership positions, rebellious believers, and unbelievers? (Prophets seem to have spoken largely to these groups, while priests were responsible for teaching “bottom-up worship” from God’s Word to all of His people)

Where in Scripture do you see Jesus as Prophet gracing others with His presence?

Where in Scripture do you see Jesus as Prophet confronting others with His plain-speaking?

Where in Scripture do you see Jesus as Prophet protecting and providing for others worship?

Where are some of the difficult places in your area to which God may have sent you to live then as one of His “prophets”?

How do you think that you individually and the Church collectively are living in Jesus’ image as Prophet?

What are some of things the Lord has provided for His people to grow as better “prophets” to others?

How can His people grow as better “prophets” to others through His Word?

…through His Body?

…through the local church?

…through His spiritual gifts?

…through His providence?

 

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10435502_855049431182935_4536762765713190951_nUnless otherwise indicated, Jeff Dillard is the author of all posts in this blog, the goal of which is your greater joy in Christ through leadership and counseling.  Jeff and his wife, Lauren, have been married since 1995.  By God’s grace, they have four wonderful children and two grandchildren.  Jeff was ordained by the Presbyterian Church in America and commissioned as an Army Chaplain in 1998.  He has Master’s degrees in Divinity, History, and Counseling.  Since 1998, he’s had the privilege of equipping and encouraging others’ faith and service to the Lord Jesus by leading congregations and counseling in multicultural settings across the United States.  Seven of those years have been in Germany, Korea, and Iraq.  For leisure, Jeff enjoys simple time with his family, exercise, playing guitar and trumpet, and trying foreign foods with friends.

Please note that the contents of tools4trenches do not necessarily reflect specific beliefs or practices of organizations in which Jeff works or worships.

You can also follow Jeff on Facebook or Twitter.

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