The Power of His Presence
To Build the Church
January 29, 2023
Rev. Matt Mahla
Timothy Ruf teaches from Luke 9 that Jesus' consistent, welcoming presence is the source of power for disciples to proclaim and enact God's kingdom—with words and deeds—even in tasks that seem impossible, and calls believers to return to that presence rather than be overwhelmed.
Summary
Preaching from Luke 9 (connected to the story of the apostles in Acts), Timothy Ruf emphasizes that the power behind kingdom proclamation is Jesus' consistent, available, and welcoming presence. Jesus calls his disciples to testify to his kingship through both words and actions, exemplified when he sends them to feed the 5,000 and places them in situations too big for them so their dependence on God is exposed. The sermon invites believers to see their lives as meant for kingdom proclamation, to rely on Christ's presence for strength and courage, and to come back to him again and again instead of giving in to fear or forgetfulness.
Key Points
- Context: Luke 9, connected to Acts and the apostles
- Main point: Jesus' presence is the source of power for kingdom work
- Kingdom proclamation includes both testimony (words) and kingdom actions
- Example: the disciples forgetting miracles and being asked to feed 5,000—God places us in situations too big for us
- Purpose: such situations expose dependence on God and invite reliance on Jesus
- Invitation: return repeatedly to Christ's presence; don't be overwhelmed or feel rebuked
- Closing: a prayer asking God to help forgetful, afraid people respond faithfully
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