Go And Make Disciples For Jesus
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:16-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:16-20
What is God's purpose for establishing the Church? Why did Jesus die on the cross? Why did Peter, Paul and the other apostles give their lives for the Gospel? Why did the early Christians stand so strong and unflinching in their faith that they were willing to be thrown into arenas with wild animals and allow their bodies to be lit up at night to light the streets of Rome?
Was it so that you and I could enjoy the grace of God and name things and claim them as we wish? Was it so that we could "seek first our personal kingdoms and comforts" and then add God's kingdom to it at our pleasure? That seems to be the case in many churches today. Our focus is on ourselves and our comfort. All our prayers are about ourselves, our families, our jobs and our situations. We hardly pray for God's kingdom agenda. We are hardly concerned about making disciples for Jesus! Many of us never bother to share our faith in Jesus.
When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, the order of the prayer was rather instructive: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread." Jesus was teaching the disciples that our priority in prayer and action should be to focus on what God desires to be done on earth. Jesus buttressed this when He said in Matthew 6:33 that we should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the things we need will be added to us as well.
The final words Jesus gave His disciples was to go out into the entire world and preach the Gospel to all people groups. Our calling as Christians is to witness to people about Jesus and bring them into the Church to be taught and discipled for Christ. Many are dying and going to hell without Jesus. We have the responsibility to let them know that Jesus died for them, that He is waiting to receive them with open arms and to empower them with His Spirit, and give them wisdom and hope in this present world.
So, question? Has Jesus really made any difference in your life? Are you truly blessed from being a child of God? Can you imagine your life without Jesus? Can you imagine not having Jesus intercede for you before the Father? Can you imagine living your life without the Word of God and the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit? Can you imagine not having access to God through prayer? Can you imagine going to hell because you do not know God through Christ?
That is the whole point! Jesus wants us to invite everyone who does not know Him to give their lives to Him and enjoy the same blessings and privileges you and I have. That is the reason why Jesus gave His life. That is why the Church exists! That is what God has called us to do. Telling people about Jesus is our most important responsibility as Christians. God will bless us and add all other things to our lives if we do. Let's go and make disciples. We must GO, not sit.
Was it so that you and I could enjoy the grace of God and name things and claim them as we wish? Was it so that we could "seek first our personal kingdoms and comforts" and then add God's kingdom to it at our pleasure? That seems to be the case in many churches today. Our focus is on ourselves and our comfort. All our prayers are about ourselves, our families, our jobs and our situations. We hardly pray for God's kingdom agenda. We are hardly concerned about making disciples for Jesus! Many of us never bother to share our faith in Jesus.
When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, the order of the prayer was rather instructive: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread." Jesus was teaching the disciples that our priority in prayer and action should be to focus on what God desires to be done on earth. Jesus buttressed this when He said in Matthew 6:33 that we should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the things we need will be added to us as well.
The final words Jesus gave His disciples was to go out into the entire world and preach the Gospel to all people groups. Our calling as Christians is to witness to people about Jesus and bring them into the Church to be taught and discipled for Christ. Many are dying and going to hell without Jesus. We have the responsibility to let them know that Jesus died for them, that He is waiting to receive them with open arms and to empower them with His Spirit, and give them wisdom and hope in this present world.
So, question? Has Jesus really made any difference in your life? Are you truly blessed from being a child of God? Can you imagine your life without Jesus? Can you imagine not having Jesus intercede for you before the Father? Can you imagine living your life without the Word of God and the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit? Can you imagine not having access to God through prayer? Can you imagine going to hell because you do not know God through Christ?
That is the whole point! Jesus wants us to invite everyone who does not know Him to give their lives to Him and enjoy the same blessings and privileges you and I have. That is the reason why Jesus gave His life. That is why the Church exists! That is what God has called us to do. Telling people about Jesus is our most important responsibility as Christians. God will bless us and add all other things to our lives if we do. Let's go and make disciples. We must GO, not sit.
Prayer: Father, please help me to fulfil my reason for being a part of your family. Help me to boldly share Christ with the lost. Help me to GO and not to sit. Amen.