BEARING WITNESS TO THE GOOD NEWS

The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 mandates that every follower of Christ is on mission to "go and make disciples of all nations." Jesus gave this instruction to all His followers, both as individuals and as the body of Christ. We, as a small group and as a church, bear collective witness to the good news of Jesus Christ.

One of Jesus' final instructions to His disciples is found in John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." Note that Jesus did not say people will know we are Christians by how many churches we build, how many Bible studies we complete, how many prayers we say, or how many people come to our church. The litmus test is clear: people will know we are Christ-followers when we love each other the way Jesus does.

Theologian Francis Schaeffer asserted, "Our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful -- Christian community is the final apologetic." Our non-believing friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors are watching and deciding on the validity of the gospel message. We need others to help us live lives worthy of God's calling so that people will see the power of God's love in and through us.

Ultimately, small groups are a way of living out our purpose, both as individuals and as a collective group of believers -- to be the church. We share a common foundation of faith and God has called us to live out the implications of that faith in a relational community, in the context that we call a small group. 

-- Carolyn Taketa in “Making a Case for Small Groups”  

#6059

THE GREATEST GIFT

“God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT)

As we journey toward Christmas, let us reflect on the profound truth that throughout our lives we will inevitably give ourselves to something. People often devote their lives to things they can boast about -- pleasure, possessions, popularity, or power. However, true followers of Christ understand that the highest and best use of a human life is to give ourselves to others, pointing them toward faith in Christ.

Let us remember that the greatest gift we can offer is an introduction to the God who sent His Son to redeem us. If we truly believe in the redeeming and transforming power of God's presence in a person's life, then sharing the message of how to be rightly connected to Him becomes our most significant mission.

As we light candles and prepare our hearts for Christmas, let us commit to being signposts that guide others toward God. May we boldly share the good news of Christ's love and redemption, offering the gift of grace to those we encounter. Let us embrace our calling to point people to the Savior, knowing that in doing so, we are giving the greatest gift of all. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources

#6015

MY EASTER QUESTION: WHY GALILEE? – Part 3 of 3

That first Easter, nobody actually saw Jesus rise from the dead.  They saw Him after He had risen.  They didn't appear to Him; He appeared to them.  Us.  In the Bible, the "proof" of the resurrection is not the absence of Jesus' body from the tomb; it's the presence of Jesus to His followers.  The gospel message of the resurrection is not first, "Though we die, we shall one day return to life," it is, "Though we were dead, Jesus returned to us." 

If it was difficult to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, it must have been almost impossible to believe that He was raised and returned to us.  The result of Easter, the product of the Resurrection of Christ is the church -- a community of people with nothing more to convene us than that the risen Christ came back to us.  That's our only claim, our only hope.  He came back to Galilee.  He came back to us.

In life, in death, in any life beyond death, this is our great hope and our great commission.  Hallelujah!  Go!  Tell!  The risen Christ came back to [your town], uh I mean Galilee.

-- Adapted from a sermon entitled “He Came Back… To Us!” by William Willimon

#5829

 

THE CHURCH GATHERED AND SCATTERED – Part 1

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”  (Matthew 28:16-20 NKJV)

In worship Jesus extends invitation for us to come to Him, He wants us to rest. He wants us to learn of Him and lean on Him. But He also wants us to go for Him. He not only wants us to be the gathered church, He also wants us to be the church scattered.

There is a classic occasion in the Gospels that illustrates the challenge of this truth. It is usually called “The Transfiguration” (see Matthew 17). Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and went to the top of the mountain, where Jesus was transformed before them. Jesus talked with Moses and Elijah. Peter became so captivated by it all that He said, “Lord, we are having such a good time, let’s stay here! Let’s build three booths and stay here forever! Let’s freeze time. Let’s eternalize this moment.” But Jesus said to Peter: “No, Peter, we didn’t come up here to stay. This is a come and go affair. We have come up, but we must go down. There is a distraught father in the valley who needs help. A sick boy needs healing. There is a woman who has been hemorrhaging for twelve years and needs healing. There is an unbelieving, stumbling, and fumbling church that needs better organization. Let’s go down.” 

-- Adapted from “Encountering Jesus” by Zan W. Holmes, Jr.

#5679

USING OUR GIFTS

In His final words to His disciples, Jesus gives them their Great Commission. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

God expects each of us to use our gifts to make disciples: to share the Good News and the Word, to help lives be changed by the Gospel. God desires for the world to believe in Jesus Christ, to call Him Lord, and to follow Him. As a result, God expects His gifts to you to be used to help make that Kingdom mission happen… Your faithfulness in using your gifts will result in changed lives, saved souls, new lives, and transformed relationships. 

-- Allen R. Hunt in “Nine Words: A Bible Study to Help You Become the Best-Version-of-Yourself”

#5471

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR MISSION

When we expect spiritually immature people suddenly to become committed to outreach, we end up asking people to serve a compulsion, not God. Look at the example of Jesus and His disciples. He did not call them and immediately ask them to care for the poor, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, heal the sick, and make disciples of all nations. Instead, He spent the early part of His ministry preparing them. He focused on forming their faith. Eventually He gave them small missions of teaching and healing. When they failed and became discouraged, He encouraged them and taught them how to succeed. It was only toward the end of His life that He gave them the authority to fully serve Him in mission, and it was only after His death and resurrection that He commanded them to go out and share the gospel. Mission and ministry were the result of spiritual preparation and maturation.

In far too many… churches there has not been enough focus on preparing people spiritually for mission. We prepare people for mission by creating an environment of trust, encouragement, compassion, vision, selflessness, and sacrifice. Spiritual leaders recognize the importance of first forming people spiritually for their mission. 

-- N. Graham Standish in “Becoming a Blessed Church: Forming a Church of Spiritual Purpose, Presence, and Power”

#5347

MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST

Jesus said, “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 28:19-20 NIV)

Off the coast of Scotland is a little island where Christianity first took place in the nation. To accommodate the many tourists who want to make a trip across the bay to visit the historic site, there is a rental shop on the mainland where transportation can be obtained. Over the door of the small building, emblazoned in bold letters, is a signboard: “VISIT THE HOLY ISLE.” Then, more to the point, underneath are the words: “WE CAN TAKE YOU.”

In a much more profound sense, those last words express what the church should be doing -- taking people where the saints have trod. In practical terms, this means bringing men and women into the deeper and ever-expanding dimensions of holiness.

Such a ministry does not for a moment minimize the necessity of conversion, for the kingdom life cannot be entered until one is born of the Spirit. But the mandate of Christ is not to make converts, but to “make disciples” -- followers of Jesus -- persons who will develop into the likeness of the Master (Matthew 28:19-20). 

-- Robert E. Coleman in “Nothing to Do But to Save Souls: John Wesley’s Charge to His Preachers”

#5092

IT BEGAN AT PENTECOST

Down through the centuries there have been followers of Christ who were ordinary, run-of-the-mill, average. Nothing spectacular ever happened to them or through them. Then, like Peter and the disciples of old, something happened. They were no longer ordinary, run-of-the-mill or average. They became men and women of God, instruments of power; defeat turned to victory; doubts and fear turned to assurance and joy and faith. They were the ones who “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Cowardly Peter, who denied Jesus three times (you and I have denied Him many more) became bold Peter of Pentecost who preached and three thousand and five thousand believed in Christ and were added unto the church. The early disciples possessed a strange new quality of life, a life of power which transformed the heart of a wicked Roman empire during the first century...

Yes, you guessed it. It began at Pentecost and their lives were changed.. and millions of others through the centuries have been changed into vital, dynamic Christians by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promised in His apostolic commission that the Holy Spirit would give us power to be His witnesses. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) 

-- William R. Bright, from “Ten Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity”

#4852

THOMAS HAD HIS DOUBTS

“One of the disciples, Thomas, ‘The Twin,’ was not there at the time with the others. When they kept telling him, ‘We have seen the Lord,’ he replied, ‘I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in His hands -- and put my fingers into them -- and place my hand into His side.’ Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them and greeting them. Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger into My hands. Put your hand into My side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’ ‘My Lord and my God!’ Thomas said. Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen Me. But blessed are those who haven’t seen Me and believe anyway.’”  (John 20:24-29 TLB)

Thomas had his doubts. Didn’t matter to him that ten sets of eyes had seen the resurrected Jesus. Or that the women who had watched Him being placed in a tomb watched Him walk into the room. Let them shout and clap; Thomas was going to sit and wait…

Thomas was never the same. If the legends are true, he carried the story of God’s love for doubters and deserters all the way to India, where he, like his friends and Savior, died because of love.

--  Max Lucado in “Come Thirsty”

#4828

FULFILLING THE GREAT COMMISSION

Jesus said, "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 28:19-20 NIV)

We are to go -- whether it is next door or to another country -- and make disciples. It is not an option but a command to all who call Jesus "Lord". We are not all evangelists in the formal sense, but we have all received gifts that we can use to help fulfill the great commission. 

-- from the “Life Application Bible”


#4535

THE GREAT COMMISSION… GOD’S PORTRAIT

You have been commissioned by God to paint His portrait for all to see. Your assignment (should you choose to accept Him) is to reveal in your life God who cannot be seen and to awaken in others the desire to know Him personally.

The canvas is your life. You design what goes on it with your body, mind, and soul; with what you do and refrain from doing; with what you say and refrain from saying; with how you deal with your successes and failures; with your love and compassion.

Choose your colors and brush strokes carefully. Do not rush. It will take a lifetime to paint the portrait because it requires such faithful dedication. In order to succeed in doing justice to the Subject, it is necessary to gaze at the Model often, until God's image is reflected in your life for all to see.

Like Christ, you are "the image of the invisible God." (Colossians 3:15) You are the portrait of God -- a work in progress.

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson

#4351

OUR ASSIGNMENT

God has been stirring His people. His people today have heard Him give this charge: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Such an assignment seems impossible to achieve, and so it is with [human beings]. But with God it is possible -- and so the task and calling remain before us, confronting us all. Each person and church must respond.

When Jesus gave the disciples His assignment to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, He added this promise: “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) God’s call is not a program, but a Person to be followed, a Person who has given His personal command to be obeyed.

-- Henry Blackaby in What the Spirit Is Saying to the Churches

#3948

THE WORLD IS OUR PARISH

I want to suggest that the cutting edge of mission in our time, especially for churches in North America, is to reclaim John Wesley's vision that “the world is our parish.” Wesley came by it naturally, because Christianity is a world-embracing religion.

+ It is a faith founded on the presuppositions that God created the whole world and pronounced it good.

+ It is a movement whose call is understood in terms of the call of Abraham and Sarah to be a blessing to all the nations.

+ It is a community of moral discourse centered in the prophets who reminded the Israelites and who remind us that justice and righteousness are at the heart of what God calls us to be about.

+ It is a faith centered in John's announcement that God so loved the world that He sent His only Son (John 3:16).

+ It is a witnessing fellowship centered in Jesus Christ who gave us the Great Commission to go into all the world and to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:16-20).

+ It is a church, born at Pentecost, only when people are gathered together from every language and tongue and nation.

+ It is a faith community that sent the disciples out to turn the world upside down for the Gospel (Acts 17:6).

-- Clifton Kirkpatrick in Perspectives, February 2005


#3616

GOING TO ALL THE WORLD

“Then Jesus told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.’”  (Mark 16:15 NLT)

The church can no longer fling open the doors and expect the crowds to rush in. We are no longer a “come here” organization as is evidenced by the large number of people who will not or no longer “come here.” But what is the alternative? The answer to fulfilling our call to reach the world is to go to the world. Jesus didn’t instruct the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the world to come to them; he instructed them to go to the world. Though our going will look different from that of those first disciples, the command still stands.

-- Bryan Collier in The Go-To Church: Post MegaChurch Growth (Abingdon Press, 2013)


#3513

DOUBTING DISCIPLES

Biblical scholar Frederick Dale Bruner says, "The Christian faith is bi-polar. Disciples live their life between worship and doubt, trusting and questioning, hoping and worrying."

Then Jesus gives the disciples what is called the Great Commission, sends them out to be His agents in the world. Jesus looks at these worshiping doubters and says: "You go! You doubters, go. You risk your lives for Me. You change your world for Me. And you will find as you go that it is your own doubts that are healed. You doubters are included, too."

Disciples are not people who never doubt. They doubt and worship. They doubt and serve. They doubt and help each other with their doubts. They doubt and practice faithfulness. They doubt and wait for their doubt one day to be turned to knowing.

-- John Ortberg in Faith & Doubt


#3108