Obedient disciples and revolving doors

It was another entirely normal Sunday morning in our local church, preaching our way verse by verse through Acts. And yet the longing response to grow as disciples who demonstrate signs which point to Jesus was stirring. Here are some headlines and quotes to help us all think things through and take simple steps of courageous obedience.

Disciples everywhere can paraphrase 1 Cor 16.9 and declare, 'An effective door for ministry has been opened for us here. There are all kinds of reasons to stay in our seats, all kinds of excuses, ifs and buts we can make; But where God opens a kingdom door, let’s walk through it in his strength.

We are a local church which is being deliberate about healing. We are not 'going after healing.' We are going after the far greater prize of the presence and promises of Jesus, within which healing is wrapped up as a gift!

   When it comes to healing. I may not feel confident, I may not feel competent, 
   but I am going to be obedient.

Don’t be surprised about the increase in healing miracles in Acts 5. Their prayer in Acts 4.30 had been, 'Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.' 
We've been praying this too. With such prayers there follows a faith filled obedience. We've asked in accordance with His will, so let's go and position ourselves where God can answer those prayers through the likes of us....and that is outside!

This Acts 5 scene is a culture, an atmosphere of faith, the opposite of Mark 4.40 where Jesus couldn’t do many miracles because of their unbelief. 

        To an extent it seems we get to choose which atmosphere we will inhabit
        through our attitude, obedience and posture. Faith or unbelief?

The world is desperate for someone who can not only deal with the pain in their bodies, but also the longing in their hearts for true life. Healing in Jesus name opens the door to this. It is a revolving door:  The town comes in, and the church is supposed to go out. Discipleship training is all about us simply growing in obedience in this.

Our guide as disciples is a biblical Kingdom worldview rather than our experience or lack of it in healing ministry. We recognise that we live in two time zones with the 'now' and 'not yet' of the Kingdom.

‘We cannot dictate and control healing, yet we cannot accept or surrender to sickness. We pray with confident authority and expectation of healing for everyone, yet we are honest and humble, trusting God with the results as only God can heal. We do both at the same time.’      

'Our boundaries in healing ministry: Too much kingdom now leads to arrogance and presumption. It’s harmful to people and demands healing on tap.

Too much kingdom future leads to pessimism and fatalism, leaving healing to ‘if its your will Lord’

'We have to push through in faith and live in both kingdom views, persevering faith, optimistic realism, dependence on god, discerning the moment, honouring people’s dignity, respecting the unknown and leaving the results to God’. Alexander Venter 

       
Phil Wilthew. ‘I can embrace the mystery of why we don’t always see immediate
breakthroughs and remain joyful, and at the same time never give in to sickness, impossibility or pain.’

How to pray for the sick? Freely you've received now freely give. We don’t need more training, we don’t have to be clever, we don’t have to look great or be impressive, we just get filled with the Spirit and then walk with obedience. 

As Mary told the wedding stewards in Cana, so it is for us: 'Just do whatever he says'. 'Make disciples and teach them to obey everything I’ve command you.' That’s who disciples are and that’s what disciples do.