It never ceases to amaze me what comes up and out on Sunday mornings. You would think that Pastor Michael would preach messages that would attempt to win people to CFAN and the vision. However it seems that the harder the word the more entrenched people seem to become. Last Sunday he spoke about the vision. He spoke about our purpose. He spoke about reaching “one at a time”. Churches in general however seem to follow a pattern that want to get people involved in their ministries but have no desire to fulfill Christ’s Words in Matthew 28:18-20. So I was convicted to teach in Source Group on this topic. Mat. 28:18-20; Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” That is what is commonly called “The Great Commission”. I have to chuckle though because as I see it, it looks more like the great omission! As we dissect the verses we find that it is not a suggestion it is a command. God’s authority has been given to Jesus and He in turn gave that same authority to us. It is our job to GO and make disciples of all nations. That means everyone no matter what they look like, how much money they have or what their choices are in college football teams. Okay maybe that one is stretching it a bit. A disciple is one who has disciplined him or herself to be a student of His Word and His Ways. A disciple doesn’t just know the Word but is so immersed (baptized?) in Him that that same power that raised Jesus from the dead is resident and visible to all. I think we believe it’s hard. I think we get fearful when people reject our witness. It’s not about us. It is and always has been about Him! The last verse says “I am with you always” That means His presence is going to be with us. How hard is that to understand? His presence means we have privilege, He is the King and we are His own. His presence means protection, no weapon formed against us will prosper. His presence means we have power, we accomplish all in His name. His presence means we have peace, the peace that passes all understanding, the understanding that the church is His, His work not ours. You are the future. You are the beloved and there is room for many more. Sorry I am a bit preachy but I feel the urgency of the moment. Take these scriptures with you as I finish. 1Cor. 3:7-9 “It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.” Plant and water, how hard is that? So, GO!
November 15, 2007...9:10 pm
GO!
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November 20, 2007 at 2:50 pm
You are right as rain Pastor! The more Pastor Michael says” If your not about reaching the lost we need your seat”, the more it makes people grab on and buy in to the message and the vision cause it’s definately the real deal!