BREATHE - John 20:21-22

BREATHE - Embrace the NEW John 20:21-22 It’s a New Year; Happy New Year; Personal Story of REST. 2021 – It’s time To Get back in the saddle. ALL THINGS NEW - “Breathe – Embrace the New.” Jesus wants His CHURCH to GO FORWARD with His mission. It was 1st day of the week; the Apostles were huddled together in a room filled with FEAR. FEAR - Religious leaders; Political Leaders; Rioting Crowds. Suddenly, Jesus appears to them and stands in the CENTER. (CENTER OF ATTENTION) v.21 Jesus isn’t concerned about “GOING BACK.” GET BACK IN THE SADDLE. ~IS 43:18-19 - FORGET the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. ILLUS: Russell City ~REV 21:5 - “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Sometimes we want to GO BACK because it’s all we know. ~Numbers 14:3-4 – “Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Jesus has to RE-COMMISSION us = to put back in service. Greeting of Peace – Calm down. Showed His nail prints – Identification; Evidence of Suffering and Death. Jesus says, “As the Father sent me, I am sending you.” That means I am sending you to persecution. Harass/oppress I’m sending you to discomfort. Life’s transitions I’m sending you to ridicule; OTHER to preach; teach; to heal; deliver; save. Jesus RE-COMMISSIONS us, you and I, to GO FORWARD with His mission. Then He BREATHED! WHY DID JESUS BREATHE? Common Thought - BREATHE = to inhale and exhale. But Technically - BREATHE = INSPIRATION AND EXPIRATION. Inspiration Process Expiration is the release of carbon dioxide (waste) from the lungs. That’s why Jesus Breathed and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT... ~FOR INSPIRATION - When you are fearful you need to something to lean on in the weak times; The HS. ~GUIDANCE IN the dark times; The HS. ~COMFORT when friends turn their back on you. The HS. Why did Jesus Breathe? Because in order to RECOMMISION us He has to make a New Creation! GEN 2:7 – God breathed His breath of life. CLOSE: BREATHE – and Embrace the New. 2 COR 5:17 Jesus is recommissioning us. We’re not going back; we’re going forward. You are not alone; The Holy Spirit is with YOU! BREATHE – and Embrace the New.