Tag: make disciples
“Greetings!”
Scripture reading for August 24th: Isaiah 14-16, Matthew 28
Matthew 28: 5-10 “But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus Who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. See, I have told you.: So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.””
Matthew concludes his Gospel with the best news ever! Jesus, after three days in a tomb, is no longer there! He is alive and on the move again. He is giving instructions to the women who first visited the tomb. He first sent and angel, but then personally greeted them and told them the same message. Fear was their first response followed by great joy! They ran to tell the message to His disciples. Later, the disciples gathered together and Jesus appeared to them on a specific mountain and there declared to them their mission and an assurance that He would be with them as they went into all the world with this good news!
Matthew 28: 16-20 “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Prayer: Father God, thank You again for the personal appearances of Jesus to those early followers, both men and women. Thank You that You gave a simple and clear mission of going into all the world and making disciples of all nations. You are no respecter of persons, sexes, or nationalities! You promised us the Holy Spirit to live in us and lead us each day to fulfill Your mission. Onward and upward!
Isaiah 16: 5 “. .then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David One Who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.”
Jesus Alive, Now and Forever!
Scripture reading for February 7th: Matthew 28, Psalm 28, Proverbs 28
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:17-20 “And when they saw Him they worshiped Him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew records Jesus’ final words to His remaining eleven disciples. This instruction is known as the “great commission” and is really a continuation of Jesus’ mission to seek and save lost people. Jesus will now complete His mission through those who worship Him and keep faith in His death and resurrection. Jesus promises to be with them always, in every place and circumstance, right up until He returns!
Faith’s confession: Lord Jesus, I believe in Your coming to earth as a man, Your sacrificial death, and Your amazing resurrection from the dead, crowned with all authority in heaven and earth. Help me to obey Your instructions as I know that You are with me always! Amen! Action step: Ask the Lord to give you opportunity to share the Gospel with someone or show the love of Jesus to an unbeliever.
Psalm 28:8-9 “The Lord is the strength of His people; He is the saving refuge of His Anointed. Oh, save Your people and bless Your heritage! Be their Shepherd and carry them forever.”
Thankful for Christ’s Total Authority!
Scripture reading for October 20th: Matthew 26-28, Mark 1-2
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20 “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.”
Jesus concluded His teaching ministry with a final command before He was taken up to heaven. He stated that He had been given all authority in heaven and on earth. He directed those under His authority to fulfill His will: making disciples of all nations! God’s world- wide family would be gathered from the nations as His inheritance and the ends of earth would be His possession. No one will stop Christ’s total authority!
Thankful for Christ’s authority: “In my vision at night I looked and there before me was One like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will never pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)
Strengthening the disciples!
Scripture reading for May 30th: Acts 18
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 18:23 “After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.”
Paul, the great missionary and church planter of the early church recognized the need to follow up on those who had become disciples of Jesus during his missionary journeys. He understood that believers needed to grow in knowledge and have fellowship with those gift people that God had called to equip them for the work of ministry and teach them the ways of Christ. With this in mind, Paul decided to visit each place where he had preached and there were disciples and to spend time with them. His teaching and example would strengthen them and multiply the ministry of reaching all men with the gospel.
Observations for over-comers: God has called us to make disciples, not just converts! This requires spending time with those we have helped to find a relationship with Christ, teaching and allowing them to see our lives as examples. “When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and the only child of my mother, he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.” (Proverbs 4:4-6)
Therefore, Go!
Scripture reading for February 9th: Matthew 28
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20 “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 end of the age.”
Jesus gave simple and clear instructions to those who had trusted in Him. He declared that all authority had been given to Him, in heaven and on earth! Because of this authority and the Father’s heart of love behind it, His followers were sent into all the world to every people group in every land. Their mission was to make disciples, not just get converts! They were to baptize them and teach them obedience to Jesus’ commands. It wasn’t difficult or hard to understand or especially hard to do. It did require faith and an ongoing personal relationship with Jesus during the process. Jesus promised His presence with them at all times.
Observations for over-comers: Humble disciples of Jesus recognize His authority and heart to reach the lost of all nations and make disciples. Go! “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)
Jesus the Risen Lord!
Scripture reading for February 9th: Matthew 28
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He is risen, just as He said.”” (Matthew 28:1-6) This angelic visitation brought a violent earthquake and terror to those soldiers guarding the tomb! The stone was rolled back while they were ‘like dead men’. This angel spoke to the women who had followed Jesus and told them not to be afraid but to tell the disciples!
As they hurried away, Jesus Himself met them with a greeting! They fell at His feet and worshiped! He also assured them and calmed their fears, sending them to the disciples. The guards, however, ran to the chief priests and told them what had happened. They devised a plan and a story to cover up the angel’s appearance and empty tomb! The lie was widely circulated and even today is believed by those with hard hearts!
Matthew records Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples: “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.” (Matthew 28:18-20)