The Church
As we have seen all through this quarter, God calls us as disciples to do many things: spread the gospel, minister to the outcasts and the needy, make disciples, and on and on. And this should be happening in every nation around the world. The question is: How are we supposed to do this?
How do the following texts help answer the above question? Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 12:14-22; Eph. 4:11-13; Col. 1:17, 18.
Jesus was indeed a disciple-gathering teacher. He used every opportunity to call, train, educate, and nurture disciples. He was never too busy to help a needy soul. Disciple-training was at the center of His ministry.
We believe and suggest strongly that just as the tasks of disciple-making, teaching, training, and nurturing were central to Jesus' ministry, even so they must be central to the mission of every church in the twenty-first century.
Yet, no one can do it alone. That is why there is the church. Nor is that task limited to pastors, Bible workers, elders, deacons, and other church officers. It is the task of every member; Jesus' commission excluded no disciple. Christ's words, "Go ye" (Matt. 28:19), means you.
Some members may feel uncomfortable with this idea because they lack training. Yet when Jesus called fishermen for discipleship, they were untrained. He had to train them. Likewise, every church must make provisions for the discipling of every member. Each new member should be placed in a discipleship class for training and nurture. Advanced classes for seasoned disciples must be instituted, and every trained disciple should be put to work for the Master.
Before departing, Jesus gave His disciples the mission to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19, NIV). This command has not changed. This gospel of the kingdom still must be preached in all the world before the end comes (Matt. 24:14). Unless Jesus were to make the stones cry out to complete the task, He has no other agents than His church to do the job.
How involved are you in the work that Jesus has called us all to do? Or are you too busy doing your own thing? When are you going to make the changes you know in your heart should have been made long ago?
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