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Matt. 28:19-20
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. This is the second half of the message centered around the dedication of our new addition. We have learned God has given us a Mandate that instructs us to humble ourselves, to pray, to seek His face, and to turn from our wicked ways. Now we are going to see how God instructs His people to plant and water so Christ Jesus can build His church. We have studied God’s mandate, now let’s turn our attention to:
III. GOD’S METHOD. We believe God will give us the people He has planned to bring to us, but He will only do that through our cooperation with Him. Here are a couple truths you need to remember:
- You remember God never asks us to do anything He knows we can’t do, right? He may ask us to do something we have never done before, and that may be hard, even very hard, for us; but if God prompts us to do anything, rest assured it is something we can do!
- God also never asks us to do anything without giving us specific, clear, and often detailed instructions.
Read Matt. 28: 17-20. Those verses are Christ’s instructions for us to plant and water, so HE can build HIS church! So what is God’s Method for Planting and Watering?
- TO BE GOING! It is stated in the Septuagint, which is the Hebrews OT written in Greek, all human life is a journeying, or going. How often have you read where God says, “if you walk in my ways, walk before Me, walk with Me?” All those phrases and passages indicate that people are always moving from one place to another throughout their lives. Today we often use the phrase, we are constantly on the “go!” To walk in the ways of Yahweh, or to follow His commandments, is fundamental for the faith of Israel. For example Dt. 8:6 = So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in His ways and by fearing Him.” In the NT the concept of “go” has to do with the mission of Jesus Who “goes” to Calvary for the salvation of His people, and all people of all time. Jesus tells The 12 to go to the lost of Israel preaching and teaching the Gospel. Here is the point: Jesus expects us to be involved in all parts of Kingdom work all the time. One reason we are to be continually on the go doing the work of the ministry is:
- TO MAKE DISCIPLES. Making disciples can be considered the goal or end-product of teaching. One author says, the main command of Christ’s commission is “make disciples.” The root meaning of the word used for “make” is to be, or to become – a pupil. So one might say a disciple is a person who becomes a student of the Word so they can learn to be a person of the Word. Every member of the Body of Christ responsible for becoming and making disciples. Next, disciples are to:
- BE BAPTIZED. Baptism by immersion is a public testimony and declaration of spiritual rebirth into eternal life as an adopted child of God. If you call yourself a Christian and you have not followed The Christ Who saved you in baptism by immersion, you have not yet begun to follow Him! NT baptism by immersion is also in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. It is The Father Who chooses and calls to salvation; it is The Son Who redeems; and it is The Holy Spirit Who indwells and guides. Commitment as a true Christian is to all 3! Jesus also tells His disciples to carry on His own mission of:
- TEACHING. It is vital we see and understand what Jesus told His disciples to teach all those who become God’s children. Disciples are to be taught – (ESV, NKJV) to observe ALL that I have commanded you; (NIV) to obey everything I have commanded you; (KJV) to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Earlier I said a disciple is a person who becomes a student of The Word so they can learn to be a person of The Word. Teaching them is how they become a person of the Word. We teach them to be a man or woman of prayer, study, God, which in turn makes them a man or woman of power.
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
