We hear all kinds of voices on any given day, some familiar, others not so much. The Chosen One of God is called to have a specific voice, a good news voice. Isaiah talks about it in another "servant" passage, and Peter carries the story forward to Jesus and the earliest mission. Is this a voice we can hear today? Is it one that we can vocalize ourselves?
Like last week's "servant" passage in Second Isaiah, this one has more subtle characteristics. Watching what language is used can tell us a lot of interesting stuff about this Chosen One. While the voice and manner of the servant get a lot of focus - a good news voice - we also hear about the mission and the message. God's intimate companioship with the servant is also made clear. That helps since it's apparent that tenacity will be needed for a mission sure to be fraught with trials and difficulties.
In Acts, Peter's speech shows his own understanding of the mission of the earliest followers of Jesus, noting how it's changing and becoming something quite surprising as the Holy Spirit throws Peter together centurion (and Gentile) Cornelius who ends up getting baptized (pictured above). This passage also has some interesting details in the text. It also shares the the same detail as the prophet's servant, that God was with him in his ministry. Again, like the prophet's servant, the good news voice of Jesus is combined with his witness and ministry that reflects the mission.
Aren't we also servants called to Jesus' ministry? We need to know, practice, and use a good news voice in our witness to the new life promise of the Lord who has come to be with us.
Find out the whole story in the sermon video below, and the downloads below the video panel.
Like last week's "servant" passage in Second Isaiah, this one has more subtle characteristics. Watching what language is used can tell us a lot of interesting stuff about this Chosen One. While the voice and manner of the servant get a lot of focus - a good news voice - we also hear about the mission and the message. God's intimate companioship with the servant is also made clear. That helps since it's apparent that tenacity will be needed for a mission sure to be fraught with trials and difficulties.
In Acts, Peter's speech shows his own understanding of the mission of the earliest followers of Jesus, noting how it's changing and becoming something quite surprising as the Holy Spirit throws Peter together centurion (and Gentile) Cornelius who ends up getting baptized (pictured above). This passage also has some interesting details in the text. It also shares the the same detail as the prophet's servant, that God was with him in his ministry. Again, like the prophet's servant, the good news voice of Jesus is combined with his witness and ministry that reflects the mission.
Aren't we also servants called to Jesus' ministry? We need to know, practice, and use a good news voice in our witness to the new life promise of the Lord who has come to be with us.
Find out the whole story in the sermon video below, and the downloads below the video panel.
| 01-08-17-ff-answers.pdf |
| 01-08-17-becoming_the_good_news_voice.pdf |