Being Deployed Is Being Dependent

Have you ever felt worn out? Have you ever felt overwhelmed?

​Have you ever felt like giving up?

​I’m going to assume that you would answer yes to all three of these questions - I definitely can.

I think each of these things have a common culprit, and it is a lack of dependence on Jesus.

In Acts 18, Jesus comes to Paul in a vision and what He shares I believe can radically change how we are as a church and as individuals.

​The goal of churches, or at least it should be, is to be deployed.

Deployed into the community, places of work, families, other parts of the world. The church of Jesus Christ should be a deployed church.

Jesus said to Paul in a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

A deployed church is made up of Jesus dependent individuals.

There are 5 things that should be true of a deployed church which is made up of dependent followers of Jesus.

1) Not Afraid
Simply, we don’t have to be afraid because Jesus said we don’t. To often we complicate following Jesus and trusting Him.

He said don’t be afraid, so don’t!

A deployed church is a dependent church and a dependent church is not afraid.


2) Continually Speaking Jesus
Jesus knew that Paul was going to remain in Corinth for some time, He knew that it would be a temptation for Paul to grow silent.

Yes, the infamous Paul! Just like us, he could’ve fallen into silence.

A deployed church is a dependent church and a dependent church is continually speaking Jesus.    


3) Hopeful From God’s Proximity
Has God been close to you in the midst of loss? In the midst of pain? In the midst of uncertainty?

I know He has!

God has promised to near leave you or forsake you. This means we have a God that promises to not loose us, leave us, depart from us, leave us behind, drop us, or let us be dishearten.

A deployed church is a dependent church and a dependent church is hopeful because they know God is near.


4) Confident In Provision
I’m so guilty of not trusting God’s provision, even when He has provided for me in the past.

I’m not sure if this is true, but maybe the reason this is so easy is because we are so used to instant gratification.

We’re able to get packages from Amazon Prime in two days. We can watch countless movies and TV shows with a couple clicks of a button. We can order food on our phone and it either be delivered to our door or picked up at the restaurant.

We operate in a world of instant gratification.
 A deployed church is a dependent church and a dependent church is confident in God’s provision.


5) Connected To Others
The Devil has tricked so many believers in Jesus to think that attending a one-hour worship experience is finding community in the church.

This is not true!

A one-hour worship service is not the same thing as biblical community.

We need each other. God has created us to be connected to other people on a regular basis.

You can try to do this life alone, but it won’t last.

 If you want to go fast go alone, but if you want to go far go with others.

A deployed church is a dependent church and a dependent church is connected to others.