MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS!

MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS!

 

These words are from what we call the Great Commission in Matthew 28:17. Jesus had a meeting with His 11 disciples in Galilee. Jesus came and spoke to them, saying: “I have been given all authority 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.”

I do not believe that this commandment is meant only for the 11 disciples. No, I believe that this is meant for all of us saying that we are disciples of Jesus. He was clear in saying what they should do. They should baptize them, but they should also teach people in how to live. They didn’t need to be afraid because Jesus was with them. He wanted everybody to get to know about Him. Not a single person, nor a single group is excluded from this, the Great Commission.

This commission is usually talked about in connection with mission. One thinks about travelling to other countries. I believe that this commission goes further than that. It says all nations. I believe that we should tell about Jesus to those around us and those we meet. I believe that we all are included in the Great Commission.

I can again hear that some people will oppose me. “I am not called to be an evangelist. I am a pastor, and I am not supposed to go on the streets. I am supposed to be a shepherd for my sheep.” As a pastor you should find the people in your church with an evangelistic calling and help them to fulfil their calling. I believe that a pastor should be a mentor and help his sheep to be more like Jesus.

I am happy that many people are called to go out on the streets sharing the gospel of Jesus. Some are praying for the sick or with those with pain. Others have a stronger focus on getting people saved. They might ask people where they go when they die? Quite a few are seeing people both saved and healed, but many are lacking a follow-up program. They are not making disciples then. They might have some new babies, but they are left without a mother and father.

A new-born baby is getting more love and care than any other person. I think that a new-born Christian also should get that. Jesus says that we should make disciples. That is another word for being a student. You are not a student without a teacher or a mentor.

Some churches have an alpha course, collecting a group of people. They will be taught and get knowledge in basic principles of the Bible. They will eat together and get to know each other. Everybody can come with questions and a feeling of love and security is emphasized. These groups are for people that are curious about Christianity or those that are new in faith and want to know more.

We are today reaching more and more groups of people through internet, television and other social media. Many evangelists are travelling to other countries and might have great campaigns where people are saved, and God is performing signs and wonders. If one wants lasting results, one should work together with the local churches. They should contact the newly saved and lead them to baptism and a church where they feel they have a spiritual home. A baby needs to grow in knowledge and maturity in Christ.

There are people called to move to another country to stay over a longer period of time. They should build a work with new churches and maybe different kinds of practical aids. Most places need both.

In the old days we talked about external mission and home mission. When we talked about external mission we thought about mission often far away. In home mission we thought about evangelization in one’s own country.

I believe that every Christian is called to spread the gospel wherever he or she is. We are therefore seeing groups being formed at schools, in sports, in government, in business and wherever there are people.

I believe that most of us have some non-saved people in our families, as neighbours or colleagues. What has Jesus done for you? It is difficult to deny a personal testimony. You can give birth to spiritual children exactly where God has placed you. That is your mission field. You might start by sowing, but one day you will harvest where you have sown. Allow The Holy Spirit to guide you in both the sowing and in harvesting.

I often meet people with a spiritual calling. They have spiritual gifts, but they have some holes in their character. Our duty is to help them to become more like Jesus.

BECOME LIKE A MOTHER AND A FATHER IN THE BODY OF CHRIST!

 

Mother Else