“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'” — Matthew 28:18-20
Regardless of the sports team, from little league to professional sports, goals are set at the beginning of the season. The question the team asks is, “What is our purpose this year?” Winning conference? Winning the championship? Improving as a team? Making the playoffs?
Every Christian and every church has been given its purpose by our Head Coach, Jesus Christ, in Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus tells us that He has been given all authority in Heaven and on earth (v. 18); in other words, Jesus has “got us.” He also tells us He will be with us always (v. 20); in other words, Jesus has “got our back.” Our purpose is to make disciples of all nations or ethnicities. We are to make committed student-followers of Jesus Christ who are transformed by His teaching.
We partner with the Holy Spirit in taking people along the spiritual journey of growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ and becoming more like Him. We see people go from spiritual death to life when they trust the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. When they are born-again, we take them from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity, just like parents help their children go from babies to adults.
Making disciples is a command, not a suggestion, and Jesus tells us how to make disciples with three participles: going, baptizing and teaching. So who are you discipling? If you aren’t, pray about who God wants you to disciple.
— Ikki Soma, Houston Rockets chaplain
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