From the PASTOR
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”.
When Christians today hear these words of Jesus, there is a real temptation to think they are only directed to others; to the first disciples, or missionaries – you know – Christians who specialise in this kind of thing – groups and individuals who are equipped with all the training and knowledge and who have time and money to travel to different places like Asia, China, and many other countries to preach and teach the gospel.
But Jesus is speaking here to EVERY Christian. We are not only to BE DISCIPLES, we are to make disciples. And since it takes one to make one, we first have to know what a disciple is. In its most basic form, a disciple is a person who places his or her faith in Jesus Christ as their personal saviour; and there begins the LIFELONG process of learning from Jesus and living under his grace and authority.
You Christian reading this, live your discipleship everyday – so others may see that your life has purpose and direction AND be directed by YOU, to Jesus your teacher. The following direction is an upcoming sermon series on discipleship. See if you can get to the following:
It all starts with God. we can not know or love God if it were not for his loving action towards us. Our lives, faith, discipleship all starts with God’s love for us in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ sacrificial love assures us of forgiveness of sins and Jesus’ resurrection assures our eternal life; his Spirit calls, we follow.
When Christians today hear these words of Jesus, there is a real temptation to think they are only directed to others; to the first disciples, or missionaries – you know – Christians who specialise in this kind of thing – groups and individuals who are equipped with all the training and knowledge and who have time and money to travel to different places like Asia, China, and many other countries to preach and teach the gospel.
But Jesus is speaking here to EVERY Christian. We are not only to BE DISCIPLES, we are to make disciples. And since it takes one to make one, we first have to know what a disciple is. In its most basic form, a disciple is a person who places his or her faith in Jesus Christ as their personal saviour; and there begins the LIFELONG process of learning from Jesus and living under his grace and authority.
You Christian reading this, live your discipleship everyday – so others may see that your life has purpose and direction AND be directed by YOU, to Jesus your teacher. The following direction is an upcoming sermon series on discipleship. See if you can get to the following:
It all starts with God. we can not know or love God if it were not for his loving action towards us. Our lives, faith, discipleship all starts with God’s love for us in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ sacrificial love assures us of forgiveness of sins and Jesus’ resurrection assures our eternal life; his Spirit calls, we follow.