For What I Received I Passed On To You (Mens Cursillo verse Oct. 2019 1 Cor. 15.3)

For What I Received I Passed On To You (1 Cor. 15.3)

(Men’s Cursillo Verse Oct. 2019)

Our mission on this Cursillo is to pass on to others what we have received. This includes both head knowledge and personal experience. The most important take-away from Cursillo is a life-changing experience of Christian community and witness. The experience itself verifies the teaching. This is the pattern of the Bible:

·      Jesus performed a miraculous healing – then he gave a teaching

·      We are all sceptics – need to see it or experience it ourselves

·      Weekend is a series of experiences and teachings

·      Experiences and teachings go deeper and deeper as the weekend progresses

1. What was it Paul experienced?

Paul was the ultimate “hard case” to convert. He had lived his whole life as a strict Hebrew Pharisee. He has risen to the top of his profession as a leader and teacher of Israel. He was the number one persecutor of the followers of Jesus. He considered them dangerous heretics deserving punishment. On his mission to persecute Christians in Damascus he experienced:

·      A blinding light that knocked him off his horse and blinded him

·      The Risen Jesus – he saw and heard Jesus ask him why he was persecuting Him

·      He was told to go into Damascus and wait for instructions

·      Jesus became a real person for him – he realized he was wrong

·      His life was completely turned around - he had died to his old way of thinking

·      His spiritual eyes were opened and he knew the truth about Jesus

2. What did Paul receive that he passed on?

Paul received the Good News about Jesus, forgiveness and right-relationship with God:

·      Jesus was the long promised saviour

·      Jesus did die for the sins of the whole world

·      God did give Jesus the right to forgive the sins of those who repented and came to Him for forgiveness

·      God did send the Holy Spirit to those who invite Jesus into their hearts

·      Holy Spirit is the continuing presence of Jesus with believers who helps them, guides them and heals them

3. How did Paul pass this on?

Paul had modelled the ministry of Jesus by passing on what he had received. He was empowered by Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit in travelling and passing on what he received. He healed people to prove his authenticity as an apostle. In Luke 4.18-19 Jesus quoted Isaiah to explain how this works in practice:

·      The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anointed me

·      To proclaim good news to the poor (those who lack)

·      To proclaim freedom for the prisoners (of ignorance)

·      Recovery of sight for the blind (misguided)

·      To set the oppressed free (deliverance from evil / sin)

4. Our task is to pass on what we have each received

John Sandford made a very interesting comment on healing ministry when we were working on my book. He said we don’t heal people – we slay them. He said we have to slay the old man with the sinful nature and habits and bring a new spirit filled man to life. This is what happened to Paul.

·      By sharing our own experiences of the risen Jesus

·      By sharing what we have learned

·      By sharing the love of Jesus by how we act

·      Ultreya!!