Goin Fishin!

Goin Fishin!

I’ve heard people say "Why do Christians go all the way to ______ (Africa, China, India, etc.) to adopt kids or do missionary work when there are kids that need adopting and homeless people right here?"

The answer has to do with obedience to what Jesus commanded.  When Jesus called his first disciples he didn’t ask them to simply believe in Him as the Christ. In Matthew 4:19 we read that Jesus said, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men/people." Jesus' plan for the advancement of the kingdom of God wasn't evangelism, but discipleship. Evangelism is most certainly an integral component of obedience, but so many individuals and churches have unfortunately made evangelism (or small groups, great music, entertaining preaching, etc.) their primary/exclusive focus – rather than doing what Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples…”

Discipleship is key.

Jesus did not save us and graft us into the Body of Christ (i.e. the Church) only for our personal salvation/redemption. He did it to make us part of His exclusive vehicle of redemption (the Church), and allow us to participate in the His glorious story!

The idea of discipleship is so important that it was literally the last thing Jesus addressed before His ascension, "...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses (disciples making disciples making disciples…) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Historically the Church has referred to Matthew 28:18-20 as “The Great Commission.”  Today many people consider it to be "The Great Suggestion."

The Church (universal) and church (local) are not institutions, but the living, tangible manifestation of Christ on earth.  Authors Earley & Dempsey note that if Jesus had only sought to produce believers and not make disciples then Christianity "probably would have disappeared soon after the first generation of believers passed away." Jesus died to reconcile lost humanity with God - not so we could practice religion, burn incense and candles, and kneel in large groups.  Those things aren’t ‘bad,’ but for many Christians – that seems to be the extent of their involvement.

God's plan has always been to redeem humanity.

That’s why Adam & Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden isn’t the end of the story!

The cool, amazing, wonderful thing is that God not only saves us – but THEN He invites us into the story of redemption! That's the very heart of the Church/church and discipleship.

God’s story of redemption is the inevitable, unrelenting, tidal wave of divine grace driving forward through human history.  He invites busted people like Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Ruth, David, Jonah – and US – to participate in the story and make the limited time we have on earth have an ETERNAL impact.

Jesus said “Go!”

Are you going?

Jesus said “Make disciples.”

Are you discipling anyone?

Jesus said “Baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit.”

Are you baptizing anyone?

Jesus said “teach ‘them’ to obey everything I commanded.”

Are you teaching anyone?

Jesus said that in doing all those things He’d be with us always.

Are you relying on you power, skills, and abilities or Him & His?

Jesus demonstrated obedience to the point of death on a cross to reveal the Father’s will.

Jesus invites His true disciples to follow His lead because that’s what disciples do.

To keep us from getting lost in ‘religious’ or ‘spiritual’ activities, ceremonies, and man-made traditions – Jesus gave us clear instructions:

Go.

Make disciples of all nations.

Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit.

Teach them obedience to everything I commanded.

Rely on the power of God – not yourselves.

To make sure we wouldn’t get caught up in the ‘experiences,’ Jesus made sure to tell us that it wouldn’t be the people doing miracles, casting out demons, prophesying, etc. who would enter the kingdom.  He did this in saying, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"

He blesses us with the gift of faith and eternal life so that – this side of eternity – we can participate and be “fishers of people.”

So what do you have planned for tomorrow?

I’m goin fishin?

Wanna go?

Blessings,

-Kevin