The Key to the Missionary’s Work (1) 10-14-2010

October 14th, 2010 by JDVaughn Leave a reply »

The Key to the Missionary’s Work (1)

October 14, 2010
 
Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ’All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . .’ —Matthew 28:18-19
 
 

The key to the missionary’s work is the authority of Jesus Christ, not the needs of the lost. We are inclined to look on our Lord as one who assists us in our endeavors for God. Yet our Lord places Himself as the absolute sovereign and supreme Lord over His disciples. He does not say that the lost will never be saved if we don’t go— He simply says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . .” He says, “Go on the basis of the revealed truth of My sovereignty, teaching and preaching out of your living experience of Me.”

“Then the eleven disciples went . . . to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them” (Matthew 28:16). If I want to know the universal sovereignty of Christ, I must know Him myself. I must take time to worship the One whose name I bear. Jesus says, “Come to Me . . .”— that is the place to meet Jesus— “all you who labor and are heavy laden . . .” (Matthew 11:28)— and how many missionaries are! We completely dismiss these wonderful words of the universal Sovereign of the world, but they are the words of Jesus to His disciples meant for here and now.

“Go therefore . . . .” To “go” simply means to live. Acts 1:8 is the description of how to go. Jesus did not say in this verse, “Go into Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria,” but, “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me in [all these places].” He takes upon Himself the work of sending us.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you . . .” (John 15:7)— that is the way to keep going. Where we are placed is then a matter of indifference to us, because God sovereignly engineers our goings.

“None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus . . .” (Acts 20:24). That is how to keep going until we are gone from this life.

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October 14, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

I want to know God’s will for my life and hear His direction clearly. If I know it is God’s voice directing me, then I can and will go forward with eager anticipation and confidence.

And God says…”You come to know My voice by listening closely as you pray, study the word and focus on Jesus. When you do not hear Me it is not because I am not speaking to you, it is most often because your mind and heart are cluttered with issues of the world, and your concerns about tomorrow. Once again you have your answer; pray without ceasing and listen without ceasing, remember that prayer is a dialog. Focus on Jesus, and when you hear my voice, trust and obey immediately. As you learn to trust and obey, My voice will become clearer and you will learn to recognize my voice at every opportunity.”

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  John 10:27 

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