Good day dear friends. We had a wonderful time in worship yesterday
talking about "What We Have to Offer," a sermon on evangelism and
how it is we do have exactly what the world needs: The merciful
love of God through Christ Jesus. Our primary text was John 10:7-10
and as we see in our study guide for today, Matthew 28:19-20.
We had Coffee with the Pastor and we welcomed six new members!
We're excited for our church and we ask your prayers for these
members.
Monday: Reread the Matthew passage from yesterday. What in
that “Great Commission” sticks out to you upon this first reading of
the day? Read it a second time and see if you see or sense
something else for your life. Where is God calling you to serve Him
right this minute? Are you able? Are you afraid? Read the verses
again one last time. Notice what Jesus promises at the very end.
Claim this for your life!
This is the Matthew passage:
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and
teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And
remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
To be commissioned means to be recognized and authorized to carry
out a particular work. For us as believers to have received the
Great Commission means we have marching orders to go and do as the
Lord said. The key word is the very first one: go. The New
Testament is filled with God calling folks and telling them to go.
Go is an action word. It means what it says, for us to not sit
around and wonder if indeed we were called or if God indeed intented
for it to be us that He called, it means go! Jesus gave this
initial order to the twelve but it is one we continue to receive as
our own, to share the good news of God's love through Christ with
all the world. The commission says we are to go to "all nations,"
not just ours or those who are allies with us, but ALL nations. We
are to offer them God's forgiveness as referenced in the "baptizing"
part of the commission, and we're to do it in the name of the triune
God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Ours is to be a teaching ministry as well. All that God offered us
through Christ is to be taught, and one of the greatest teachings is
that we find in verse 20: "I am with you always, to the end of the
age."
We stressed in the sermon that our call is to begin right now in
whatever setting we find God using us. We don't have to wait for a
mission trip or a service project; God can use us now. The person
sitting next to us in work or down the hall from our office, or
maybe next to us on the couch may be the person God has called us to
bring a word of hope and love. We start now!
How? Just by sharing what God has done for you. It doesn't require
an elaborate sermon or a fancy prayer, just a simple word of
sharing; "This is what helped me" or "this is what God did for me."
God is with you. We can do all things through Him who gives us
strength!
PRAYER: Use me now, dear God with those Whom you place in my path.
Let me share Your love and hope in a way that serves You. I pray in
the name of He Who gave Himself to us, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
