Sunday, June 23rd // Recap

Hit the Road—Week 1

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.”

From this passage we see that all Christians have been called to go and make disciples of all people. Maybe you have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for an opportunity to share your story. Maybe you’ve even been happy to sit quietly by, hoping others would share instead. But God wants to use you to reach others with the Gospel, and He wants to use you to help them grow in a relationship with Him. There is no greater experience in this life than to let God use you to point people to eternal salvation in Him and help them experience fuller life in Jesus. You were made to have an eternal impact.

Jesus told His disciples He had received all authority “in heaven and on earth.” Jesus’ resurrection validated His teachings and proved to the disciples all authority over everything rested with him. Then the disciples knew the true nature of Christ. The scope of Jesus’ authority frees us to share His message with the world, because we realize who is truly in control.

But Jesus has still commanded us to act. We are called to make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching, and be prepared to share the Gospel.

In light of this, there are some questions we should consider to check our hearts when we hesitate to share the Gospel and make disciples. Some examples are:

                  -What is the most challenging part of “making disciples” for you?

                  -How do we teach people to “obey all Jesus has commanded”?

                  -What is the most difficult part of sharing the gospel?

                  -How does God respond when we choose not to share the Gospel?

Consider these questions as you seek to imitate Christ more and lead others to Him by carrying out His mission to make disciples.