June 27

“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 everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

—MATTHEW 28:19-20

If the church does not have a disciple-making agenda as its central thrust, then we are simply rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. When the ship goes down, all lives will be lost. That’s why we have to get back to the fact that lying behind the agenda of making disciples is the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ. Why we are to make disciples is because Jesus has commanded it, and as the One with all authority, He has the right to tell us what to do.

In John 8:31, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” This involves knowing His teaching in three ways: cognitively, emotively and responsively. Cognitively is to read the teachings of Jesus, which can be legitimately extended to the whole of Scripture, and intellectually we understand it and believe it to be true. Emotively expresses how His teachings affect us. They move us, sometimes frighten us, challenge us, comfort, inspire and penetrate us. These are active ingredients of the Word of God in our lives. 

Responsively is that the Word of God confronts us with decisions we have to make. Are we willing to come under the Lordship of Christ? This is the point where many cease to become disciples. Though we read Scripture, feel its impact, and are willing to discuss and debate it, we don’t like some of it because it’s inconvenient to our lifestyle or the demands are more costly than we are willing to pay. The problem is not our information, but the activation of the Word of God in our lives.

Jesus ends His commission with, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of this age.” His presence that is promised is not a nice finishing touch to encourage people. It is the essential ingredient. Though we may have doubts as to our ability, the antidote is obedience. John Stott, author of “Basic Christianity”, said, “Preach what you can trust and be willing to go beyond what you can trust on the grounds this is what the Bible says.” It isn’t intellectual rhetoric that will make disciples for Christ, but it is the Holy Spirit at work and the power of the Word of God penetrating the hearts of people.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I can’t imagine anything more worthy than to become a disciple for You. May your Holy Spirit lead me into many opportunities to introduce You to people, and that they will be led into becoming disciples. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: Am I taking advantage of opportunities God gives me to lead others to Christ?