Teamwork is a wonderful thing!

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)

While Jesus said this to His disciples, it has been assumed that this ‘Great Commission’ applies to all Christians. Those who cannot go to all nations are told that their mission field is the people around them. If a believer is not gifted in evangelism, we hear that we must obey this command anyway.

Whatever others might say, it seems to me that this command is not singular in that sense, but it is speaking to the body of Christ. We are to obey it as a unit. That is, some are specifically told to pack up and go while others do their work of obedience at home or in the support of those who are able and active in the work of making disciples. 

As part of the body of Christ, I can financially support those in the mission field, and encourage them in various ways. One couple in a far-away country told me that I was the only one that actually wrote letters to them, a bit of a shock but helped me realize the value of having verbal support as well as monthly dollars.

Also, those who cannot go out but are confined to home by illness, or small children, or a number of other reasons can help make disciples by praying for them. As Paul said:

. . . . take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:17–20)

Paul wrote that from jail, so he was obedient to this ‘great commission’ wherever he was at, yet obviously aware that not everyone was called to take his role and also aware that he needed their prayer support. 

Besides financial support, prayer, and encouragement, part of this task is teaching to others all that God has taught me. Several years ago after a long involvement with a Christian writers organization, I left my very busy role of leadership, partly because it gave me no time to develop writing skills or use them. I asked God, “What next?” And He clearly said, “Publish what I am teaching you in an online blog.” 

I was stunned. At that time, the only blogs I’d read were self-serving rants, so I was a bit horrified too, but now realize this was His way of plugging me into being part of His commission. I didn’t have to go anywhere except into His Word and do what He said to me, then tell others.

Jesus, You know that when we have communion on a regular basis in our church, the sense of being part of a family and a united work force sweeps over me with great joy. I know that You are using all of us to reach out, whether we teach, talk, share our lives, pray, send money or whatever He asks of us. Sometimes my co-workers undergo trials and need extra support and prayer. Most of all, we need to encourage one another to love You and love those around us. Teamwork is a beautiful thing!

 
 

Leaving a legacy…

David commanded to gather together the resident aliens who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to prepare dressed stones for building the house of God. David also provided great quantities of iron for nails for the doors of the gates and for clamps, as well as bronze in quantities beyond weighing, and cedar timbers without number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought great quantities of cedar to David. For David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death. (1 Chronicles 22:2–5)

David wanted to leave a legacy, but not quite the same as a dictionary defines it: “A legacy is money, property, or intangible assets (like traditions or reputations) passed down from predecessors or ancestors. It often refers to a lasting impact, such as a "legacy of leadership" or "legacy software". Synonyms include bequest, inheritance, heritage, endowment, and tradition.”

David wanted the house of the Lord to be magnificent and bring glory to God. He knew that his son didn’t have all it would take so he began a supply of materials for Solomon’s task. 

This strikes me as a picture of disciple-making. No one lives forever in this world as a tabernacle for the Holy Spirit. Even though Jesus said He would build His church and it would last forever, not one member of His body lives here forever. Our faith is to be shared and others taught how to live for God as His representatives on earth. The materials need to be His supply and in qualities both magnificent and of fame and glory.

This means sharing with others what God has shared with me, others who will do the same with others. The supply of materials is massive making the curriculum for a disciple maker enormous. The NT is filled with instructions on what to bring to the classroom.

This list includes: warnings about false teachers, hanging tight to your own faith while sharing it, praying for all people, loving enemies, managing your own life and that of your family, keeping short accounts with God, growing deeper in understanding and living out the will of God, commanding and teaching others, using spiritual gifts, loving relationships and communion with other Christians, how to deal with those who disobey God, how to deal with those who are disobedient, and much more. God says that what I have heard from Him and those who taught me, I will, in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to other faithful believers, who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Thinking of David, he didn’t have a perfect life, nor would his son be perfect either, but both were given grace to do what God wanted them to do. This encourages me to obey what the Lord gives me, and teach others to do the same:

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)

It takes time, and faith, to obey this command. Some are given two or three to pour their life into. Others have larger ‘classrooms’ yet all have the Lord’s presence and grace because we cannot do this by ourselves.

Jesus, You sometimes use formal teaching times and I thank You for allowing me to lead Bible studies for many years. You also use informal times to talk with other Christians with the goal of encouraging their growth. Like David supplied what was needed, You grant me discernment, words, actions that I never would think of without Your Spirit prompting and even surprising me. And the big surprise is that You bring results out of what feels like puny efforts on my part — and feed those five loaves and two fish to others, as only You can.

Who is in authority . . . ?

 

Yesterday was a very good day. The Lord was magnified in my devotions. The message at church was powerful and convicting. In a room of several hundred people, the silence was total as our pastor gave it. Brunch was blessed with joyful conversations. We later relaxed with a movie and a couple of football games on TV. I also did some purging on my computer and made a small quilt for February to hang in the window. Then I got tested.

The nature of the test need not be repeated here, only that I flunked it. Then this morning’s devotions were delayed when I discovered my purging was an error — all my docs/photos were gone. I have a backup, but it took time to restore them and to disengage the drive that caused the problem. All of that has me frustrated, more with myself and some with my computer system. Then I read this:

(God exalted Christ) far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet . . .  (Ephesians 1:21–22)

All things means all things and it reminded me of my mother’s saying: ‘We must need it or we wouldn’t be getting it.’ Did I need yesterday’s blessings? God thinks I did. Did I need the frustrations and tests? God thinks I did. Knowing He is the head over all things turns my thoughts from ‘woe is me’ to how wise and good He is.

The phrase “every name that is named” means any form of authority. This means angels, humans, now, or eternal. Someday every knee will bow before Him, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. However, for now it is my concern that I do it. He is Lord, in my trials and triumphs, in all tests and blessings. He has authority in every thing with the right to tell me what ought to be my main concern:

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)

I don’t see computer files in that command. Nor is there anything about my body, mind, emotions, choices, etc. It merely says “go” and as I am going, to be concerned that all people know and love the Lord. I’m to teach them what He has taught me — a clear implication to keep learning so I have something to say.

This great commandment is not just about what I should prioritize and be doing; it is even more about what He is doing. As MacArthur says, my efforts to obey will bear fruit because they are backed by the authority of Christ Himself. This encourages me to seek and to use every opportunity to share Christ and His Word with others. I represent Christ in whom lies all authority, and nothing can stand in the way of His purposes.

Lord, I know this command is general enough to keep me open to whatever You put in front of me. Yet I also know it is wise to ask You to direct me to specific people that You know need something You can give them through me in some way. I’m thinking of some names even now, and thankful that You are taking my mind off my complaints and issues of today to think more about others and eternal matters. Thank You.

MORE: Read Colossians 1:15–23.  What was Christ’s role in creation and for what purpose? What is His role in the church? In salvation? What place does He hold in my life?