“BECOMING A DISCIPLE-MAKING CHURCH”Matt 28: 18 – 20 & 1 John 2: 6—Preacher: Ps Paw Liang
In my visit to Shechem in 2015, our tour guide told us that the whole population of Samaria only 700 people. Since they did not marry people from other ethnic groups, they have produced unhealthy offspring. Thankfully the High Priest has amended their law and allowed them to marry men or women from other ethnic groups. Likewise, the church might have unknowingly focus too much on the internal affairs (become incestuous) and forgot Jesus’s commission: Go, and make disciples of all nations. The early church were growing well. Acts 2 shows us they were keen in learning the word of God, worshipping and praying together, enjoying the favour of each other. Their lives attract people to Christ, “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Jesus calls us to become His disciples and to make disciples. Disciples means followers, who learn the teaching and seek to emulate the life of the teacher. 1 John 2:6 reminds us, “whoever claims to live in Him. They must walk like Jesus walked.” Have we?
The great commission in Matthew 28 is given to all Jesus’ followers. Go means “as you are going . . .” Every day, as you’re going from home to your workplace, to the school, etc. we need to relate to people in such a way that bring them closer to Christ. These are the people whom God has put within our reach—our family members, colleagues, acquaintances, etc. People whom we meet regularly. This starts when we have the heart of God who cares for the people around us. We observe His Commandment, “love others as yourself.” We long to share the life we have found in Christ with them. We then will make effort to reach out (building bridges) and to care for them. As the Spirit leads, when the opportunity comes we may offer prayers and share God with them. But this opportunity will never come if we do not yet have a good relationship with them. We need to take time to nurture the relationship until they open their hearts to receive Jesus. Who are the people that God put in your heart right now so you can start building bridges to share the life of Christ with them?
Baptizing is helping them to identify their life with Jesus. To see their lives in the light of His grace and truth. And what it means to be a Christian, a disciple and the follower of Jesus. Many times, churches only stop at ‘baptizing’ and making them church members. We need to “teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This means we need to intentionally walking with them, helping and enabling them to do what Jesus wants us to do, including the Great Commission—to make disciples of other nations and the Great Commandment (to love God and people).
This Commission is for every believers: the indicator will be, does my life bring people around me closer to Jesus Christ? Am I praying and making attempt to help them to find the life in Jesus Christ? And you are not alone. Jesus has promised, “I’ll be with you”. As we abide in Him, let His grace work in us, enabling us to live as His faithful follower. Let His authority rest upon us, empowering us to bring others to become His disciples. (PLT)
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