<----BACK

 

 

This was the priority. It still should be the priority.

 

Do you really understand the mission which Jesus actually gave His followers? Was the command just to win new converts?

 

Did He challenge them to conduct city wide rallies and build great church buildings?

 

Did He tell them the priority was feeding and clothing the poor?

Let us read His instructions:


Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:19-20)

The priority was going to all nations, teaching them the Gospel, baptizing them, and then providing further follow up teaching on all Jesus had commanded.

This was the priority. It still should be the priority.

You can spend our life in many different ways. You can do good works such as helping the poor, feeding the hungry, etc. But you must do one thing if you are to fulfill the mission of Jesus: You must participate in the reaching of all nations with the Gospel message. All other activities - such as reaching out to the poor, - are valid only as they contribute to this priority.

Jesus could have spent all His time feeding and clothing the poor. He could have built a big church building in Jerusalem. There are many methods He could have used. But Jesus chose the greatest key of spiritual multiplication. He knew that by investing His life in a few faithful men a multiplication process would begin that would never end. His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes, but with men capable of reaching the masses.

Jesus did not teach through verbal instruction alone. He demonstrated what He taught. He taught healing and demonstrated it by healing the sick. He taught the authority of the believer over Satan and demonstrated it by casting out demons. He taught concern for the poor and illustrated it by feeding the multitudes.

The disciples were not only students, they were eye witnesses to the demonstration of God's power. They later said they were teaching "That which we have seen and heard" as "eye witnesses" (I John 1:1).

Jesus taught by example. He demonstrated what He said by how He lived and ministered. He said: For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. (John 13:15)

The demonstration of God's power makes people listen to your message:
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (Acts 8:6)

Paul spoke not only of the truth of the Gospel (Galatians 2:5) but of the power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). He declared and demonstrated the Gospel (I Corinthians 2:1,4).

Mere knowledge is not enough. To be effective, knowledge must be applied. There comes a time for action. The disciples not only listened to the teachings of Jesus and observed the demonstrations of power, they also participated. Teaching a subject is not enough to assure learning. Teaching alone is like trying to learn brain surgery by reading a book.

Disciples must have actual experience in what they are learning. They must gain experience in how to share the Gospel, how to pray for the sick, how to cast out demons, etc. Jesus provided such opportunities for His disciples. Read Mark 6:7-13 and Luke 9:1-6

Jesus sent His disciples out to experience what they had been taught. Make sure your disciples become doers of the Word and not hearers only.

When the disciples of Jesus returned from their ministry trip, Jesus evaluated their efforts (Luke 9:10). Throughout the entire training process Jesus supervised His disciples. They were not left alone in their struggles. He was there to correct, rebuke, and encourage them.

You cannot assume that the work will be done merely because you have shown a willing worker how to do it and sent him out with glowing expectations. You must supervise. As disciples meet frustration and obstacles, you must teach them how to meet these challenges.

Supervision is sometimes called "follow-up.” Paul supervised or "followed up" his disciples:

And after he had spent some time there, he departed and went over all the country of Galatia, and Phyrgia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
(Acts 18:23)

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)

 

Read: Creative Ways to Share Tracts

http://www.christfirstministries.com/articles-31/Creative-Ways-To-Share-Tracts-4302

 

 

 

Return To Main Menu