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Up, Down, And Out
These three adverbs have great significance to the Church as far as its mission and mandate are concerned. There is a link between these three; Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church.
If Jesus has gone up to Heaven and the Comforter, the Promised Spirit, the Power has come down, then there is no reason why the Church cannot go out to win every creature for Christ.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
- 1. Christ went UP.
Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Jesus Christ came to this world with a mission to seek and save the lost. He left His heavenly glory and took upon himself the form of a servant. He was faithful to the end and was obedient to the father even unto the death on the Cross. He rose again the third day triumphing over death.
Before He finally went up to Heaven to be at the right hand of God, He gave His disciples and all believers the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
He promised to send down the Comforter, the Holy Spirit after he had gone up. The Holy Spirit would be the power source for the Church in its evangelizing ministry. That is why it is imperative that believers get sanctified and get baptized in the Holy Spirit thereafter.
- 2. The Comforter came DOWN.
John 16:7-11
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
The coming of the Holy Spirit was crucial to the fulfilment of the Great Commission given to the Church. The Holy Spirit has a great role to play in the Great Commission. On the day of Pentecost, He came upon the 120 believers who were tarrying in the upper room. The effect of the Holy Spirit coming down upon the early church was very dramatic. It marked the turning point in the early church. Today, If we thirst, pray, and exercise faith for the experience; if we are genuinely born again and sanctified, we can experience the descent of Pentecost upon our lives.
- 3. The Church went OUT.
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
When the power came down upon the believers, we find them leaving the upper room to go out to the world with the gospel. The Lord expects every spirit-filled believer to go out to all the world; the world around them that’s lost. The early church took their mandate rather seriously. The word “Every” was the guiding beacon for them: they taught every day, in every house, everywhere, and to everyone.
- 4. Essential Elements In Christian Service.
There are essential elements God requires in the conduct and character of those who will render faithful and acceptable service unto Him. The demonstration of these in Nehemiah’s life made him a successful Christian worker and leader. Some of these essential elements include:
- Self-disciple
- Selflessness
- Sacrifice
- Supplication
Besides, we must be zealous, consecrated, committed, enthusiastic, determined and be willing to pay the price of serving the Lord.
