Notes
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.
Genesis 1:31
Then he hung the curtains forming the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar. And he set up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard. So at last Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.
Exodus 40:33-34
Environment matters to God. Both of these verses describe places where God would reside and be present with His people. The environment, the atmosphere, matters.
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10
Anyone can change the atmosphere of a room when they walk in, for good or not. Because we have been exposed to the Good News, because we are image-bearers of the King, we should lift the atmosphere. Our purpose is to bring God into the world.
Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” Matthew 13:3-9 - He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
Matthew 13:31-33
The seed is the Word of God. The different soils represent the different atmospheres of people’s hearts. Though the seed is always good, the condition of the soil determines whether the seed will take root and grow. If the atmosphere isn’t right, the seed won’t germinate and grow into something that prospers.
Atmosphere architects not only spread the seed, but they take the time to prepare the soil. Here are three ways we can be atmosphere architects:
1) Commune with God
Receive! Be filled. You can’t pour from an empty cup. God transforms our attitudes, actions, and abilities. To change the atmosphere, we have to be in continual communion with Him.
2) Know your context
The message never changes, but the method we share it will constantly change. The Gospel is most effectively communicated when we take into consideration the age, generation, and culture of the listeners.
3) Connect with others
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23
There will be times when we need to lean on and depend on others, perhaps more than we would want to. What you are not good at, someone else will be, and vice versa. It takes all kinds of people to change the atmosphere.
Group Questions
- In general, what would you say is the atmosphere in our community right now?
- What does it mean to be filled, or to commune with God?
- What are some examples of how the Good News might be shared differently in different contexts?
- What are your strengths, and how can you use those to help change the atmosphere?
Prayer
We pray for the atmosphere, the environment around us, and that it would be receptive to hear the Good News. Fill us so we can help others be filled. Show us the way to best prepare the soil to hear your word.