It's Time For An Adventure

Dave Holden
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Going on an adventure with God is not about our personality type but about the access to God and intimacy with Him we have.


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Bilbo signing up for an adventure

A paragliding race across the Alps

Previously we couldn't get close to God because of His holiness and our sin but Jesus has given us access to God through the cross, "a new and living way" (Hebrews 10:20). Christians now also have intimacy like never before, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us (Acts 2:4, etc.).

"You in me, I in you" (John 14:18-23) - the days of separation are gone! John 15:4-5, 17:26 describe the life of the Trinity, which we are now invited into! He is always with us. The adventure has begun because Jesus has invaded our life: the unpredictability is already in us. We should live with a sense of adventure, and experience the reality of it, every day.

What does an adventure with God look like? The lives of the first disciples gives us a guide - and nothing is really different between us and them because He is with us too, as He was with them. Miracles happen and He gets them involved (Luke 9:10-17). Mysteries were also experienced: opposition and disappointment (Matthew 17:16, John 6:66). They are part of the adventure too, where we ask in desperation, "God, what is going to happen? How are you going to solve this?"

5 aspects of adventure:

1. The mundane is transformed. Don't despise this, it's where most people live so that's what they can relate to. The difference is that Jesus' presence and peace and joy and power will be with you. That's the difference that will amaze the world.

2. Hearing the voice of God (John 10:27). We're always listening out for Him and respond to what He says in that moment. The Holy Spirit is in us to do this. Stay responsive to what God is saying in the moment. He's so close, if we will hear and obey.

3. Being Jesus to people around us. Acts 10:38 says that Jesus went around doing good - not just spectacular miracles but simple acts of goodness that demonstrate the love and mercy of God. This can be done corporately through church initiatives, but must always be done personally.

4. Doing the miracles Jesus did. The same anointing on Him is now on us. He wants to see the sick healed, captives released, broken-hearted loved - through you. The miraculous isn't reserved for celebrities but offered to all of us.

Mike Pilavachi: "Most Christians have learned about and now believe in the gift of tongues, but how many pray in tongues every day? Many of us have learned about and believe that Jesus can heal today, but how many of us regularly pray in faith for healing miracles? Lots of churches make space for the gift of prophecy, but how many have moved beyond 'I see a waterfall and God says he loves you'? We have to move from armchair belief to the obedience that is the outworking of faith. Faith without works is dead."

5. Telling people about Jesus. Don't beat yourself up about missed opportunities but take the next one that comes along (as it will very soon!)

Questions

  • Would you describe yourself as a Shire-dwelling hobbit or a keen para-glider?
  • Why is it important that we see adventure as flowing from access and intimacy with God rather than personality type?
  • Dave said that the reality of adventure with God is already in us through Christ and the Holy Spirit - did this surprise you? Did it surprise you more when he said that the adventure is mostly worked out in "normal" life?
  • Which of the five aspects of adventure did you find most exciting and encouraging?
  • What do you think may have stopped or slowed you down from following God into adventures?
  • How can we encourage one another to live on adventure with God?