What Now?

In John 20:19–22, the disciples were hiding behind locked doors when the risen Jesus came and stood among them. He spoke peace, showed them his wounds, and then sent them into the world with the power of the Holy Spirit.  The hope that came to them was never meant to stop with them.

The same is true for us. Jesus comes to us with the hope of the gospel, and then he sends us to carry that hope toward others. But what does that practically mean for you? Take a few quiet minutes with the following questions. Don’t rush through them. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what is true and how Jesus is inviting you to respond.

First, have I received the hope Jesus offers?

The first word Jesus spoke to his frightened disciples was “Peace.”  That peace was not based on their courage or faithfulness. They had abandoned Jesus and were hiding in fear. Yet Jesus came to them and showed them the wounds through which their peace had been purchased.

Before considering where Jesus may be sending you, begin here:

• Am I at peace with God through faith in Jesus?

• Am I still trying to rescue myself by burying my guilt, outrunning it, numbing it, or making up for it?

• Is there a past sin that I have confessed but still use to condemn myself?

• Do I really believe that the death of Jesus was enough to pay for my sin?

• What would it look like to stop hiding and receive the peace Jesus offers?

If you have never trusted Jesus, you can come to him today. If you are already a Christian but continue living under condemnation, remember that your sin does not need to be paid for again.  Remember what we said from Sunday: All the change we long for begins with the deepest change we need: peace with God.

Secondly, evaluate the places where Jesus has already sent me?

Jesus told his disciples, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”  Being sent does not necessarily mean moving somewhere new. Often, it means seeing the places and people already around us differently.

Consider the strategic places where God already has you:

• Who lives near me?

• Who do I regularly interact with at work or school?

• Who has recently shared pain, fear, loneliness, or uncertainty with me?

• Is there someone I sense the Holy Spirit bringing repeatedly to mind?

• Where have I been waiting for someone else to take responsibility?

Write down the names of two or three people. Begin praying for them daily, not as projects, but as people deeply loved by God.

Thirdly, honestly evaluate whether I am living as a container or a conduit?

A container receives and retains. A conduit receives and carries.  Our lives were never meant to be containers that merely collect the hope of the gospel. We were meant to become conduits through which that hope moves toward others.

Ask yourself honestly:

• Do I primarily evaluate church by what I receive?

• Do I assume someone else will meet the needs I see?

• Am I protecting my comfort or embracing the cost of following Jesus?

• Do I tend to complain about problems or look for ways to help?

• Do I see barriers and retreat, or possibilities and trust God?

• Do I feel entitled to the benefits of church or privileged to participate in its mission?

This is not an invitation to work harder in your own strength. Jesus does not simply send us; he supplies us. Ask the Holy Spirit to replace fear with courage, passivity with ownership, and comfort with compassion.

Lastly, begin to pray about what is my next faithful step?

You do not need to change the entire world this week. Begin with one act of faithful obedience.

• Pray consistently for one person.

• Invite someone for coffee or a meal.

• Listen carefully to someone’s story.

• Share how Jesus has met you.

• Offer prayer to someone who is hurting.

• Invite someone to join you at Port City.

• Fill out the launch team application for Downtown.

In week four of this series, you will receive a specific invitation to consider how you can participate in what God is doing through Port City. Begin praying now so that when the invitation comes, you are ready to respond.  Not from pressure, but from a heart surrendered to Jesus.

Here’s a prayer that you might begin with:

Jesus, thank you for coming to me with the hope of the gospel. Show me where you have already sent me and who you are calling me to move toward. Fill me with your Spirit, loosen my grip on comfort, and give me the courage to say yes. Let the hope I have received move through me toward others. Amen.

Remember, the hope that came to us was never meant to stop with us.

Pastor Jeremy