"go to the nations or better yet go next door"

Matthew 28:16-20

In the Bible the life of Jesus is covered in the book of Matthew. Matthew took 28 chapters to cover the birth, life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus. Contained within those 28 chapters are solid wisdom, life changing information, commandments and love. What I like to read though is the last chapter of Matthew because authors tend to save the most important information or restate the main point in their conclusions.

The final bit of Matthew is often called "The Great Commission" essentially Jesus tells the remaining disciples to go and teach others as He has taught them. They can accomplish these goals by making other disciples of Jesus, baptizing them, and teaching them the truth about Jesus, and to follow His Commandments. Jesus reminded them that He would be with them through it all.

Most people read this passage of scripture get excited and want to go to third world countries and tell others about Jesus. Or they want to go to low income areas and do community service while sharing the Gospel. And some even want to start a church and hope it will develop into gigantic ministry. All these are good goals and I see nothing wrong with them except sometimes I think we miss the point of "The Great Commission"

By this I mean, we are willing to spend thousands of dollars and month away from our families to travel to a foreign land and tell others about Jesus but yet we won't spend five minutes to tell our next door neighbor that Jesus loves them. We will go to a neighborhood that is twenty minutes from our house and share the Gospel yet we won't even share the Good News about Jesus with our sister or brother who do not know the Lord. We will try to build a church yet we don't take the time to build the people in that community. We will invest in s church building fund but yet we will not invest the Word of God in our own children.

The point I am making is this when Jesus said "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" He was talking about your neighbor, brother, sister, cousin, friend, co-workers, etc. These people are the nations as well. This does not mean we should stop sending out missionaries, building churches, or the community service but it does mean that we need to look at our immediate surroundings as the mission field in our lives. Start with where you live, work, or stay. Tell those around about Jesus, make them disciples, baptize them, and teach them to live their lives for Jesus; fulfill the commission. Stay focused, you can do this.

"In His JOY!"

Here I am Lord, a Disciple and not a Pharisee

Matthew 10:1, 1 Corinthians 1:26-30

It's a great misunderstanding as to whom God sends out.  Our education, up bringing, status in life, title, etc.  does not decide whom He chooses to spread His message.  We must first all realize that God has called us all to share the Gospel and make disciples  (Matthew 28:18-20).  This is charge and commandment to everyone who calls themselves a Christian.  Secondly please remember that God looks at the heart of a man and not the outward ( 1 Samuel 16:7). I say all this because when Jesus sent out his twelve disciples they were not well-educated men.  They where not Scribes, Pharisees, or Sadducees.  They were doctors, fisherman, and tax collectors.   There was nothing special about them except they had spent time with Jesus.

Sometimes we think that only the Pastor, Religious Professor, or the Elder are qualified to speak and teach about the Gospel.  Spending time immersed in the Word and Prayer is what qualifies you.  Gaining  true understanding of the Word and getting wisdom from God qualifies you.

You may not be the brightest light bulb in the bunch and you may be lacking in public speech techniques but this does not mean God cannot use you.  In fact you are exactly who God wants to use (1 Corinthians 1:26).   Jesus could have used the a Pharisee because they rigorously kept laws.  He could have used a Scribe because they knew ever law.  Or He could have used the Sadducees because they had status.  No instead He used a fisherman named Peter, who at times struggled with his faith, He used a tax collector named Matthew who was known as a sinner, and He used two brothers named James and John whose mother wanted them to be famous.  Jesus saw something in these men that He did not see in the religious leaders.  He saw a heart that wanted to see the Will of God done.  He saw men who sat at His feet and learned what the Good News was all about.  He saw men that could recognize Jesus as God and not see Him as an enemy.  He saw disciples. What He looks at you what does He see,a Disciple or Pharisee? He can use anyone friends, so let him use you.


Stay focused, you can do this!

"In His JOY!"