First, an apology. I thought this was scheduled to go up yesterday. Just realized it was not. My “I’m on vacation bad.”
We are on the verge of July, and while I know this is very cliché, I feel like I am always in disbelief that we have already come through this much of summer.
My family and I are visiting our
This week I would like to ask a very simple to state but tough to fully answer question.
Ready? Hang on, its coming in just a minute.
“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 the 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.’†Matthew 28.18-20 NLT
Likely, everyone that is reading this post has heard this one before. Go and make disciples. And yes, that is the jist of it. But let’s unpack this a bit.
When Jesus spoke to his followers, his learners (that is what disciple means) he had lived his life here on earth without sin, had laid his life down and submitted to one of the most gruesome death processes that world knew, had taken the entirety of the weight of our human rebellion (past, present and future) upon himself and finally, had physically risen from the dead.
As a result, God the Father had given God the Son authority over everything. Jesus had access to all the power of the trinity and had reign over everything.
So when Jesus said,“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth,†he meant it. It would be like your boss getting a huge promotion at work and they tell you, “I have the power to bring you up with me, and I am going to do it.†They have been given power and they are telling you how they intend to use it.
Jesus is very much doing that. But not to give us a higher salary and a nicer office. If our life right now were all that we will live, then yes, that would be a great thing. If prestige were all that mattered, then great. But Jesus is constantly calling us to realize that our lives are worth more than just as a means of acquiring for ourselves, and our life now extends eternally after death. This life is just the start of what we will experience. James refers to it as a “puff of wind†or a “breath.†We are here just a moment. But even that moment can be filled with incredible meaning.
So, what Jesus is doing is much better than using his pull to just get us better jobs that allow us to drive around in better cars. He is telling us that because of the love he has shown to us through his life, death and resurrection, he is drawing us into what his mission was. Jesus is saying, “I am giving you the chance (really the challenge) to continue what I started.†He is giving us the chance to have more meaning pour out of our lives than we could ever produce on our own.
We already know he has equipped us, because anyone who asks Jesus to guide them through there life and reconnect them with the Father has received God the Holy Spirit. Jesus actually said it was better for him to physically leave earth so that the Holy Spirit could come. Jesus said he will guide us into all truth and strengthen us for the challenges we will face.
So, Jesus laid the groundwork. He showed us what our mission is – by living it. He made it possible for us to join him on his mission – by dying in our place and coming back to life. He has guided us in life to where we can care enough about humanity and the rest of creation to where we would want to live for others – by showing us how it is done and carefully speaking into our souls. And he gave us the ability to accomplish our part of it – by sending God the Holy Spirit into our souls as a strengthener and a guide.
So… the hard work is done. Now Jesus says something very simple. He says that we have the job of living out Jesus’ mission in our world today. To make the mission of Jesus our mission.
And that is the first question. Is Jesus’ mission yours?
Are you living your life according to the Matthew 28 set of verses that were listed before? It was Jesus’ challenge to his learners then and it is his challenge to those of us that follow him now.
Are you approaching your faith in God as a hobby? Maybe even an elaborate one? Something that takes time but really isn’t central to who you are. It is better described as one of the things that you do. Or is it more?
Jesus was focused on accomplishing his part of God’s redemptive plan for our world. And he is calling on us to have the same focus.
The first part is simple. Do you have anyone who is a learner of yours? Do you have any disciples? People that you are guiding in their relationships with Christ and people that you are guiding into a relationship with Christ.
Jesus said, I have been given the authority and I am passing some on to you. Love people enough to help them see that they are loved by the Father and are able to live a life guided by me. Jesus told us to go.
It is a simple question that is hard to answer…. Have you gone?
You don’t necessarily go anywhere different from where you are, it is more your purpose when you are wherever you are. It doesn’t mean that you go up to everyone you see and offer to tell them about Jesus’ love for them, but that as you go wherever you go, you are willing to go to anyone and do that. It isn’t that you you do everything that needs doing in the church, but that you are actively pursuing God about what part of Jesus’ mission you are responsible for.
So, this week. Let’s reflect on Jesus’ challenge to all of us. I would suggest committing it to memory if you don’t already have it in there. It is just a great reminder of what we are really here to do.
Then let’s reflect on the question of what our role in Jesus’ mission is. Now, I am not asking you to know for certainty what it will always be, but rather for the next six months to a year, how are you going to make disciples?  If you aren’t sure, start talking to God about it.
If you still aren’t sure, comment that or email me and let’s chat about how that can happen. If you are more sure, definitely comment or email that back as well so we can see what God is calling you to do.
Every single one of us that has asked Jesus to guide our lives has been given both the challenge and the ability to do our part in his mission. Let’s help one another do it.
Greg Gates said...
1Your questions about whether or not we’re approaching our faith in God as a hobby really resonated with me, and that’s something I’m definitely going to have to think and pray about. I’m afraid I might be guilty of treating my faith this way more often that I would like to admit. Maybe the community of mostly Christian hobbyists I find myself in has something to do with that, but you’re right that we’re called to have disciples of our own so maybe this is an opportunity to educate myself and others about how to start changing that attitude.
I don’t know that I really have any specific disciples currently, but that is something that I have been trying to change this summer. I started a book study based on “Should We Fire God?” with the college-age ministry of my home church and each week there are about 7 people that show up. It has definitely been a learning experience for me since I haven’t led a group like this before, but I hope that it has also been fruitful for the people that have attended.
I’ve also enjoyed giving sermons at the couple opportunities that I have had (various youth/college Sundays, and once at a church in Kenya)so I asked my pastor if there might be a weekend over the summer when I could cover for her. It turns out that she will be away at the General Assembly meeting of the PCUSA this week, and I am going to be giving the sermon at our Saturday night service. I’m really excited about the chance to talk again, and I’ll definitely be taking some inspiration from this study and the comments that people have posted.
07/6/10 6:22 AM | Comment Link
Cory said...
2“And to the fans, I’ll never let you down again, I’m back”
Yes, that was from Eminem’s new song, Not Afraid. Relax-that song is tight-period.
That kind of is how I am feeling. God is moving in my heart-thank you Jesus! I’m not 100% fully where I want to be, or even 75%, but so much better than the 10% I was at. I love percentages!
So, do I have disciples, currently no. You need to get your shit straight first before you can do that. Over the next couple of months I hope to be back to having that again.
Like I have said before, there is this vision that God has given me. A Christian man that doesn’t let the world effect how I follow Him. I feel I am getting more and more on track with that each week. And I LOVE it!
Keep up the good challenges Jim and keep them coming!
Journey well.
Cory
07/6/10 1:54 PM | Comment Link
Steve said...
3I posted my thoughts on our family blog…http://steve-amy.blogspot.com/2010/07/been-while.html
07/6/10 6:43 PM | Comment Link
Candice said...
4After a few years of thinking very near sighted, the prospect of graduating soon coupled with other recent experiences has made me think about the quickly approaching future. I have been pretty good about saying yes to God’s mission in the short term. However, I recently realized how little I have consulted Him on any long-term goals for my life and career. So this summer has been a time of discovery. I’m changing what I thought I wanted to do (notice all of the “I” in that phrase) and focusing on what He might be calling me to so that I can serve Him better. Thankfully I can see that God’s hand in all the short-term ways I carried out His mission are now equipping me for the long-term mission. I am thankful to have people discipling me on this journey and to be discipling others as well. The Lord is so faithful and I’m trying to be faithful to Him even though the next year will probably be pretty interesting!
07/7/10 9:33 AM | Comment Link
jim said...
5wow candace… sounds very exciting! how are you seeing him guide you? what are you noticing? i think we would all love to hear more about your journey!
07/20/10 1:11 PM | Comment Link
jim said...
6interesting post steve, and brava on bouncing the question on my blog to yours. the blog to blog jump hadn’t been attempted yet. well done.
I would also love to hear more from you on what your next steps will be in discerning God’s call to you and how that relates to your making learners. your reflections would likely bless us all. thoughts?
07/20/10 1:14 PM | Comment Link
jim said...
7first, you are right, it is a tight song. i also like love the way you lie. intense.
also very excited to hear more about your journey back and your increasing percentages! 🙂 let me toss a couple of thoughts, let me know what you think about them.
you will never be on top of it enough to have learners if your goal is to be at whatever point first. all you need is honesty and a willingness to share what you have and learn from what they have. the other point would be i would love to hear more about your dream to be a Christian man that doesn’t let the world effect how you follow him. how do you see that happening? i would love to hear some thoughts on this…
07/20/10 1:21 PM | Comment Link
jim said...
8Greg! Wow! I have had some computer issues, I just saw this! How did it go?
I would also encourage you to, well, be encouraged. Your small group is absolutely a piece of the discipleship idea. And hey, having SWFG? as the book you are going through?! 🙂 I think I know the guy that wrote it.
I loved your quote “the community of mostly Christian hobbyists…” I def think you should come back at the end of the summer and be a loving challenger to that perspective. You may also like the series we are doing this summer at [nlcf] on Hosea and Amos. It speaks to those issues a great deal as well. Praying for you as you come into the final weeks of summer!
07/20/10 1:26 PM | Comment Link
Caroline R said...
9I know this comment is a little late but this post really got me thinking.
Like Candice (above), I am also fast approaching a new era in my life. I have not chosen where this new era will lead me yet. I am very thankful that I know I want Jesus mission as my mission and I want to go and make disciples. I’m glad I know that now as opposed to once I’m already in the next stage of life. I feel like God could call me anywhere. I’m excited for what the future holds but also fearful I may choose my own path over His. I want to make disciples but where is His mission going lead me? oh My! It’s kind of scary. I ask for your prayers for me and the rest of the graduating body of VT as we try to decipher God’s calling on our lives.
Thanks for this post Jim!
07/26/10 12:07 PM | Comment Link
Cory said...
10OK-nice.
Jim you say,”you will never be on top of it enough to have learners if your goal is to be at whatever point first.”
Maybe I took learners differently. I thought of learners as people who look up to you, mimic you, kind of do what you do, see things you are doing and think ohh he does that it’s cool. So if you take learners as I did, I do think you kind of need to be with it somewhat.
I guess I took learners as being a leader. In general I don’t think you have to being anywhere “first” to be able to share with others or have others share with you. That would be silly. I can learn as much from a five year old as I can from a 95 year old.
And for the second part on the Christian man thing-just living like JC as much as possible. Going out to places where Christians scare away from and have fun while being able to bring up Jesus at anytime. It’s just being proud to know that JC is it.
I feel that that world has brought be away from the heart of Jesus. It’s easy to let happen actually. At some point you have to stand up and fight for what you know deep down to be the way.
Journey well.
07/27/10 5:56 AM | Comment Link
jim said...
11Makes sense… like what you have been sharing this summer Cory. You have helped me as well.
07/30/10 5:43 AM | Comment Link
jim said...
12Caroline, love your heart in all this. Yes you are coming to a key point in the path of your life. But, what I love about connecting with Christ is that he very well knows not just how to speak with you so you can hear, but what you need most right now. So, be confident he is with you and will speak. It may not be the way you would prefer or even expect, but I have seen him come through so many times, I have learned to watch for it. Thanks for posting where you are! 🙂
07/30/10 5:48 AM | Comment Link