Your Epic Adventure

In the last post we looked at the fact that we were created to be a part of an epic adventure. One that has been written on our hearts, and whether we are followers of Christ or not is deep at the center of our souls. The longing is always there, we just don’t identify it or want to acknowledge it (we’ll talk more about it in the next post). So this begs the question, what is this adventure that I have been created to be a part of? That’s simple.

“Save the World!”

Don’t believe me? Let’s check out scripture and see if we can find a bit more clarity by listening to the words of the One who created us, the One who put eternity in our hearts. We see Jesus in Matthew 28 walking up a hill getting ready to leave the eleven guys He poured His life into and He gets ready to give them His farewell address, His final charge to them. Check it out.

“16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.18 And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them int the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ ” – Matthew 28:16-20

Did you see it? He says “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” What He is essentially saying to them is, “Ok. I conquered sin and death and I’ve been teaching you all these things for the last three years. I’ve given you the tools you need to take hold of this task now go take word of my salvation to the world.”He literally charges them and by proxy us to take word of His salvation to the world! Not convinced? Look at Luke’s account of the moment before Jesus leaves in Acts 1.

“6 So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’7 He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.8 But 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.’ ” -Acts 1:6-8

There it is again, the whole world. He tells them “you will be my witnesses… and to the end of the earth.” So the epic adventure/battle that we are engaged in the middle of is literally a fight for the fate of the world. We as Christ followers, have the truth of Jesus’s salvation and we are expected to take it to the world. That’s a pretty daunting task if we really think about it, and my initial reaction is to dismiss it as impossible. “I’m just a _____________. I can’t reach the world.” You know something you’re right.

“What? Wait a minute, you just got done saying that our command from Jesus was to be a part of saving the world, and now you’re saying I can’t?”

“Yep.”

“I don’t get it.”

Let’s go back and look at both of those again and see if it’ll make more sense. Look back at the verses in Matthew, and check out the parts that we like to skip over.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them int the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20

So Jesus starts with the “All authority” then tells us to “Go and make” then closes out with “I am with you always…” What He’s saying is “Look, I beat sin and death on the cross and on account of being the perfect sacrifice all authority in heaven and earth is mine. Now go spread the word, pass on the good news, save the world. You can do it, because I am with you always ,to the very end.”

You see, apart from Jesus you can’t do it. You didn’t beat death, you didn’t conquer sin and you haven’t been given all authority, but He has! He wants to flow through you as you go, He must flow through you if you are to succeed.

Once more let’s look at Acts and see if we find the same secret to victory.

“8 But 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.” -Acts 1:6-8

It’s only when His Spirit has come upon you that you will be witnesses. It’s only through Him that you will receive power. It’s only through Him that there is any hope of accomplishing the enormous task we’ve been entrusted with. It’s an epic adventure, but you have the ultimate power in you.

This is part two of a three part series of posts click here to read the previous one.