“Discipling All Peoples in Our Generation”
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore, all of you, and disciple all peoples, 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 28:18-20
Have you ever felt a burden for a task? When you have felt that burden have you done anything about it?
As members of the Regional Leadership team for The Mission Society (our sending agency) we were invited to attend the Ghana 2013 Global Mission Conference. We were excited to meet others from around the continent and globe. We were excited that we can feel a connection because of a burden to reach people for Christ. We were excited to hear stories that encouraged us and helped to “spur us on”. We were excited to worship in praise of what God, our heavenly Father, is doing and we were excited to hear what others are doing to build His Kingdom.
But, such an experience also leaves many questions. Are we doing all that we can be doing to advance the Kingdom of God? Certainly we are not! Why?? Well, the reasons and excuses are many. Then the real questions come. Are we willing to change? Are we willing to sacrifice? Are we willing to disciple lives and take the time to pour our lives into them one on one? Are we willing to see a vision and know that with God there are NO limits to what He can and will do?
Jesus tells us to go into all the world and make Disciples. Have we been faithful to this assignment? Have we been obedient? If everyone was faithful, how long would it take to deliver the message to the world? Probably not very many years. BUT, there are still at least 800 unengaged, unreached people groups in the world. Just like when you are angry or are hungry, if you do not do anything about it, nothing will change.
We see in Matthew 4:15 that there are people who live in darkness and do not know right from left. Who is light? JESUS! “I am the light.” In order for there to be light in darkness, Jesus relocated. He had to dwell among them. And, he said to them “Follow me.” He did not say, “follow the program” or “follow the directions.” He said, “follow Me.” He did not offer an empty, abstract syllabus, He offered HIMSELF. We must also offer ourselves to others that we see are living “in the dark.” Relocation can just mean leaving your house not necessarily moving to a different country. Now, you can do it!
Will you be challenged? YES! Will you be Blessed? YES, YES!! Don’t quit! Don’t give up! You may never see the fruits but you have planted the seed and God will take it from there. You say, I do not see who I should disciple. If you put your chin on your chest, you will see your shirt. If you pick your head up, open your eyes and you will see the people that need Jesus. Once you see them are you willing to follow the task of intentionally teaching and discipling individual lives in the manner Christ has shown us?
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
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