WHY IT MATTERS //
As members of Revive we are Committed to Jesus and Committed to one another. This commitment (also known as koinonia) is one of the pillars of our ReviveHOMES; It sets a foundation for us to grow and mature in community. Each unique ReviveHOME is a local expression of the same DNA that God has given us as a family of churches. Over the next weeks we will explore together our shared convictions, our identity and the Kingdom mission God has called us to accomplish in unity.
When Revive began God gave our leaders a specific scripture that helped them understand the mission of our movement: Isaiah 61:4. We believe that we are people called to be a part of the work that God is doing on the Earth to “Revive The Way”. The early believers were first called followers of the way, as Jesus himself said “I am The Way…”. We believe we are called to return (and help others return) to the purity of following Jesus.
The foundation of all mission (or “doing for God”) in our life springs out from who we are. In community we engage together in the journey of intentionally being formed into the image of Christ. This process of spiritual formation is much like the natural process of growing up. If we skip this process we will not have the foundation required to fulfill the calling God has for us. As we submit to the maturing process of discipleship we can enter into wholeness, which is one aspect of the word “salvation” (sozo) in scripture. The salvation that Jesus extends to us is not only for eternal life but should also be understood as redemption from the effects of sin on our life right now.
WHAT IT’S TALKING ABOUT //
Second Timothy was written by Paul to Timothy. Paul is encouraging him to stay faithful in the mission God has given to him and instructing him to remind the church to remain in the truth. He uses an analogy of household containers to illustrate the choice that we have as believers to allow ourselves to become the type of person who can used by God. The power of that choice will impact our usefulness as we see a compost bin can not be used for the same purpose as a crystal glass. The beauty of these verses is that we get to choose what type of container we want to be.
2 Tim 2:20-22 MSG
20-21 In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.
22 Run away from childish indulgence. Run after mature righteousness…