Blessing Our Community - Day 36
DAY 36 - Sunday, May 5, 2024
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Scripture Insights
Paul says we should do everything in the name of Jesus. Instead, we tend to
do mission in the name of our local church, our denomination, or some other way we distinguish ourselves from other Christians. The church has, at times, done damage to Jesus’s name in our eagerness to bring the world to him. Sadly, some actions of the church have earned us a bad reputation. Jesus, nevertheless, retains his good character.
There has been a not-so-subtle shift in church culture that comes at the expense of the proclamation of good news in Jesus’s name. We might say,
let’s simply be present in the world, abound in acts of compassion, bless our communities with justice, and do good things as often as possible without the burden or responsibility of proclaiming Jesus.
Nazarenes believe that proclamation, presence (proximity), and purity make the gospel effective! Paul reminds us to tell those to whom we are sent that Jesus sent us and that he alone should get the praise for the life and acts of mission we practice.
Today’s Prayer
Father, help us proclaim Jesus when we love and live among those who desperately need you. When we go to bless our communities, make us bold and not ashamed to proclaim the one who sent us.
What is the Spirit saying to you today?
—Mark Bane
Director, Evangelism and New Church Development, USA/Canada Region
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Scripture Insights
Paul says we should do everything in the name of Jesus. Instead, we tend to
do mission in the name of our local church, our denomination, or some other way we distinguish ourselves from other Christians. The church has, at times, done damage to Jesus’s name in our eagerness to bring the world to him. Sadly, some actions of the church have earned us a bad reputation. Jesus, nevertheless, retains his good character.
There has been a not-so-subtle shift in church culture that comes at the expense of the proclamation of good news in Jesus’s name. We might say,
let’s simply be present in the world, abound in acts of compassion, bless our communities with justice, and do good things as often as possible without the burden or responsibility of proclaiming Jesus.
Nazarenes believe that proclamation, presence (proximity), and purity make the gospel effective! Paul reminds us to tell those to whom we are sent that Jesus sent us and that he alone should get the praise for the life and acts of mission we practice.
Today’s Prayer
Father, help us proclaim Jesus when we love and live among those who desperately need you. When we go to bless our communities, make us bold and not ashamed to proclaim the one who sent us.
What is the Spirit saying to you today?
—Mark Bane
Director, Evangelism and New Church Development, USA/Canada Region
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