The Great CO-mission
There is one thing that most followers of Jesus agree is really important yet most do not really seem to take very seriously. What is it? Jesus' call for us to, "Go and make disciples..."
Here is the well known passage from Matthew 28:16-20:
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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."
*Let's break this down a little bit...
1. The disciples went where Jesus told them to go. One of the things we say in Legacy Leadership all the time is to keep our eyes on Jesus. This is so important - we have to be looking to Him, listening to Him, and doing what He says to do!
2. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. What a moment that must have been when they saw so clearly Who He was, the living God, the great I AM - they worshipped Him. Was there any doubt as to whether or not Jesus was God? No.
3. But some doubted. They were all worshipping Him so what was it that they were doubting? They were doubting THEMSELVES. They knew all the things that had taken place and they knew that Jesus was leaving and was expecting them to carry on without His physical presence there and they were not sure if they could do it. Have you ever felt that way?
4. All authority has been given to Me...Therefore... It's like Jesus was saying, "Don't worry guys, I got this! It's not gonna be just YOU - I've been given the authority to SEND you. You are on a mission from God!" So therefore....
5. Go and make disciples. There are two parts to this - a) we need to be willing to "go" first of all. That means getting out of our comfort zone, praying, asking the Lord to lead us and being willing to obey and go. b) we are called to "make disciples" - this is different than "fishing for men" (helping people to find Jesus). Making disciples involves walking with them, teaching them how to follow Jesus and helping them to learn how to do the same - making disciples who make disciples. This is the plan to reach the world.
6. Baptizing them. Help them to get fully immersed in Jesus, find a church/group of believers who will walk with them.
7. Teach them to obey. They need to learn what it means to really walk in a relationship with Jesus. They need to understand the Bible and what God is calling us to do.
8. I am with you always. Yes, we are on a mission from God to change the world. But it's scary. Even the original eleven doubted. Jesus knew this. But this is HIS plan and He told us not to worry, He sent us His Spirit to be WITH us and IN us! He did not leave us on our own. In fact, our call is to be part of the great CO-mission with Jesus!!
Amen!!! Let’s do this. Contact us if you would like help to become a disciple who makes disciples…
