¿Locked in or Sent out?

John 20:19-23

 by Rev. Ernest Dyck

(Note: Rev. Dyck’s message begins @01:12)

Appearing to the Discíples

John 20: 19-23

19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be with you.”

20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”

Three things happen that evening:

1) the Peace of Christ & the Evidences of Christ

2) the Spirit of Christ  & the Sending of Christ, and

3) the Grace of Christ & the Church of Christ.

An Intriguing MIX of Spiritual & Practical Matters

Gospel of John = Jesus sent by the Father

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who SENT ME and to accomplish His work.” – John 4:34

“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who SENT ME.” – John 5:30

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who SENT ME.” – John 6:38

“Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who SENT ME is true, whom you do not know.” – John 7:28

“And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who SENT ME.” – John 12:44

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have SENT.”  – John 17:3

Our mission is:
– reveal PEACE & GRACE of Christ
– participate in His mission
– preach freedom to the captives

“PEACE be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I  also send you”

John 20:21