There are two “sending” statements in the New Testament, directly from Jesus, that applies to every single born-again Christian. Sure, He sent out the disciples… He sent out the 72… but twice… He’s sending US out.
The first of these statements I believe would be from Acts:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8
We are to “witness” or to “testify” the Good News. He told us to plant these seeds in abundance… don’t worry about the soil you plant it… just keep planting and leave the germination to God.
However, once God has drawn them in… and made them a believer… we’re once again called into action. Once God has brought the believer to the table… it’s our job to make them a disciple.
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 28:18-20
Being a non-believer is your default position for humanity… we’re all born there. At some point in our lives, we feel the tug from God and respond. That moment we respond to Him… accept His punishment for our sins… we are saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit. That’s ONE moment in time. From that moment forward, we are called to grow our relationship with Him… by witnessing His Good News… and raising up disciples.
The command to Go and make disciples, starts with ourselves. Are WE a disciple or a bench warmer. To be a disciple means daily disciplines to be in the Word. To be a disciple means serving and loving His flock. To be a disciple means striving every day to be just a little more like Jesus… and that ONLY happens by relying on self… less… and the Spirit, more.
The moment you are a born-again Christian… Acts 1:8 is your command… to go and be His witnesses. Testify what the Lord has done for you and proclaim His good news. But the second call, to make disciples… assumes you are already a disciple. This means YOU are the first mission field. As they say in every flight during the safety briefing… put your O2 mask on first, and then assist others.
If you’re not “breathing in” the very Word of God… then the first disciple you need to make… is yourself. Once you are regularly breathing in His word… then you are able to help others do the same.
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