Daily Bread 2010 - Matthew 28
Daily Bread 2010
Sorry, I got a little behind. I was at a Men’s Retreat over the weekend, then a 4 day 3d Ministries Retreat in Torrance through yesterday. Ironically, the whole retreat was about this topic, “How do we create a discipling culture in our churches?” The basis for this focus and the calling card for every church and pastor comes from this passage, commonly known as the Great Commission!
Matthew 28
The Great Commission
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
At its most fundamental root being a Christian means being a disciple. As Jesus bids his disciples farewell he leaves them with these parting words, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Now that is a pretty big task as “nations” means “all people groups”. Literally this means every nation, language and culture. Many estimate there are about 16,000 people groups (usually defined by a particular indigenous language and culture) and about 40% of them have not yet been reached with the gospel. So we have some work to do!
But what does this process of discipleship look like? The two key elements are: baptism and teaching. Sometimes we see Baptism as a one time event, usually in traditional denominations, as parents bring their children to be baptized in the midst of the worship service. The word baptism means to be “completely immersed”. Literally to be baptized, means to be immersed or covered in everything that God is, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” Baptism helps us to know God through God’s coming to us in His Son Jesus. Of course as Mark 16:16 says, “Believe and be baptized and you will be saved.”
As Martin Luther said, “Without faith, water is just plain old H2O, but teamed with faith it becomes life giving water.” Water is symbolic of the cleansing of sin and also because water is life giving, it is a symbol of the life giving filling of the Spirit.
But we all know that unless Baptism is followed up with teaching, it is likely to be in vain. Especially when we baptize infants we need to teach them what this means. So Baptism establishes our identity as children of God, and part of God’s covenant through what Jesus did for us and teaching them help us grow in understanding of what it means to become a child of God. As we grow in obedience to who God wants us to be, as outlined in the bible, we grow up into all God wants for us.
And the outcome of this process of learning to obey all that God has commanded us is that we make other disciples starting with those in our own household. Are you a disciple? Are you growing it what it means to be a disciple and to obey all that God has commanded you as a son or daughter of God? Have you ever invited someone else to be a disciple?
Prayer: God thank you for the invitation you have given us to be a disciple and then make disciples. We know you have given us this beautiful process, and as we engage in this incredible journey, you have made us a promise that you will be with us until the end of the age. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sorry, I got a little behind. I was at a Men’s Retreat over the weekend, then a 4 day 3d Ministries Retreat in Torrance through yesterday. Ironically, the whole retreat was about this topic, “How do we create a discipling culture in our churches?” The basis for this focus and the calling card for every church and pastor comes from this passage, commonly known as the Great Commission!
Matthew 28
The Great Commission
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
At its most fundamental root being a Christian means being a disciple. As Jesus bids his disciples farewell he leaves them with these parting words, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Now that is a pretty big task as “nations” means “all people groups”. Literally this means every nation, language and culture. Many estimate there are about 16,000 people groups (usually defined by a particular indigenous language and culture) and about 40% of them have not yet been reached with the gospel. So we have some work to do!
But what does this process of discipleship look like? The two key elements are: baptism and teaching. Sometimes we see Baptism as a one time event, usually in traditional denominations, as parents bring their children to be baptized in the midst of the worship service. The word baptism means to be “completely immersed”. Literally to be baptized, means to be immersed or covered in everything that God is, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” Baptism helps us to know God through God’s coming to us in His Son Jesus. Of course as Mark 16:16 says, “Believe and be baptized and you will be saved.”
As Martin Luther said, “Without faith, water is just plain old H2O, but teamed with faith it becomes life giving water.” Water is symbolic of the cleansing of sin and also because water is life giving, it is a symbol of the life giving filling of the Spirit.
But we all know that unless Baptism is followed up with teaching, it is likely to be in vain. Especially when we baptize infants we need to teach them what this means. So Baptism establishes our identity as children of God, and part of God’s covenant through what Jesus did for us and teaching them help us grow in understanding of what it means to become a child of God. As we grow in obedience to who God wants us to be, as outlined in the bible, we grow up into all God wants for us.
And the outcome of this process of learning to obey all that God has commanded us is that we make other disciples starting with those in our own household. Are you a disciple? Are you growing it what it means to be a disciple and to obey all that God has commanded you as a son or daughter of God? Have you ever invited someone else to be a disciple?
Prayer: God thank you for the invitation you have given us to be a disciple and then make disciples. We know you have given us this beautiful process, and as we engage in this incredible journey, you have made us a promise that you will be with us until the end of the age. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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