“Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS (pas: a primary word; all, any, every, the whole) THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Many of us who believe in Jesus assume that pretty much everyone in the world knows at least a little about who Jesus is and what Jesus did. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The Joshua Project (https://globalfrontiermissions.org/start-here-gfm-website/) estimates that over 3 billion people in the world are unreached. Unreached people lack followers of Christ and resources to evangelize their own people. If we were born into one of these areas, it is quite possible that we would live out our entire lives and never hear about Jesus. So, if we are to obey this great commission issued by Jesus, we have our work cut out for us. Here is the promise, “…whoever shall call on the name of the Lord WILL BE SAVED.” How then shall they call on Him in whom THEY HAVE NOT BELIEVED? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they HAVE NOT HEARD? And how shall they hear WITHOUT PREACHING?” (Romans 10:13-14)
All believers need to learn of Christ and to be grounded in the Word of God, for God wants all people to be saved and also to come to a knowledge of the truth. It is a fact that all disciples of Christ are believers in Him, but not all believers in Christ BECOME HIS DISCIPLES. That’s why we are to, “Go and make disciples…” Jesus said, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will PROVE TO THE WORLD THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES.” (John 13:34-35)
WHERE DO WE GO TO FIND A POTENTIAL DESCIPLE?
- FAMILY MEMBER: Jesus said “Your love for one another will PROVE THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES.” Living a holy life before you family is a strong witness.
- FRIEND: Tell your friend all about what Jesus has done for you, share with him about Jesus’ atoning work on the cross for the forgiveness of sin. Pray that GOD WILL SHOW HIM his sin and reveal Himself in glory to his darkened heart. Invite him to go with you to church.
- CO-WORKER: I was saved while working on a very important project at work and I shared with everyone who knew what a wretched man I was, how Jesus saved me and delivered me from drugs and alcohol. I stared having bible studies during lunch.
- RANDOM PERSON YOU MEET: Pray for the Lord to connect you with someone and give you just the right words to say, “Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” (1 Peter 3:15)
Paul’s testimony in Acts 26 is a biblical model you can follow in sharing your own personal testimony. Paul’s format in Acts 26 is: Lead-In — Verses 2–3 Before — Verses 4–11 How — Verses 12–20 After — Verses 21–23
Your personal Pastor -Bill Stockham