SEE Part 3

S.E.E. - speak. empower. engage.

To FULLY live the Victorious Life, we must SEE like Jesus.

And as we do, our ability to S.E.E. in this way, changes every part of our lives. We find that God SPEAKS to EMPOWER His people in order to ENGAGE the world.

Remember that Jesus uses instruments of human reality to call people to faith in him and draw people into relationship with God.

This week we’re talking about a name, an association, an identity. So, I want you to think of a few of the things that come to mind when you read the name ‘Apple’, or ‘Chiefs’, or ‘Navy Seals’? Now, what if I tell you I am a part of one of those organizations? What do you think about me? Whether you like the brand or company, there would be assumptions made that I am skilled in some part of its program, intelligent in aspects of the business, and privy to inside information.

And the way I rep the brand may change your perspective of the company entirely, or maybe just change the way you think about me. But, I take on that name as part of my identity.

When I started CrossFit RWOL, my identity became attached to that place and all things about it. When I chose to move to Hermosa Beach and join Guidestone Church at their invitation, I took on the DNA of the church’s brand. The things I do, say, post, etc are a representation of the brand name. This is the power of a name and it’s just as true for you in all your roles and connections. I want you to have this in mind as we look at the scripture this week.

In the synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, there is the story of when Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector. Matthew (also known as Levi) was sitting at his booth, working when Jesus invited him to follow him.

Levi (aka Matthew) invited Jesus to a banquet with a bunch of colleagues and friends who were known by the religious elites of the day to be notorious sinners. The pharisees saw this and questioned the disciples of Jesus about their leader’s choice of companionship.

Jesus pushed back and shared that he did not come to call those who are self proclaimed righteous comparing them to the sick in need of a doctor.

Then he says, “Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Here he quotes from an old testament prophet that they would know very well but apparently missed the intent.

The main takeaway from this week is that Matthew AROSE from his seat at his job at the invitation of Jesus. This is the same way the gospel writers talked about Jesus resurrecting from the dead.

And in this, he took on a new identity. The fact that Mark and Luke refer to him as Levi here and then everywhere else he is Matthew, indicate a transformation took place here. There was a shift in identity and he saw himself differently.

He finally saw himself the way Jesus did, the way he was created. And how he saw himself changed how he wore his name.

How do you see yourself?

Is there a part of your present reality that has been defining you and you’ve just become that when it wasn’t who you were created to be in the first place?

#SpeakEmpowerEngage

#SEE

#RestoringWholenessOfLife 

Brett