The Method of Missions 10-27-2010

October 27th, 2010 by JDVaughn Leave a reply »

The Method of Missions

October 27, 2010
 
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . —Matthew 28:19
 
 

Jesus Christ did not say, “Go and save souls” (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God), but He said, “Go . . . make disciples of all the nations . . . .” Yet you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself. When the disciples returned from their first mission, they were filled with joy because even the demons were subject to them. But Jesus said, in effect, “Don’t rejoice in successful service— the great secret of joy is that you have the right relationship with Me” (see Luke 10:17-20). The missionary’s great essential is remaining true to the call of God, and realizing that his one and only purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus. Remember that there is a passion for souls that does not come from God, but from our desire to make converts to our point of view.

The challenge to the missionary does not come from the fact that people are difficult to bring to salvation, that backsliders are difficult to reclaim, or that there is a barrier of callous indifference. No, the challenge comes from the perspective of the missionary’s own personal relationship with Jesus Christ— “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (Matthew 9:28). Our Lord unwaveringly asks us that question, and it confronts us in every individual situation we encounter. The one great challenge to us is— do I know my risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough in God’s sight, but foolish enough according to the wisdom of the world, to trust in what Jesus Christ has said? Or am I abandoning the great supernatural position of limitless confidence in Christ Jesus, which is really God’s only call for a missionary? If I follow any other method, I depart altogether from the methods prescribed by our Lord— “All authority has been given to Me . . . . Gotherefore. . .” (Matthew 28:18-19).

Journal 10 27 10 DJR
Good morning, Lord. You have been surprising us by how you’ve been preparing us for the unexpected these days. It has been good to realize our preparedness and see your hand in getting us ready. I would guess that you’ve been being there for us that way all along … but we just didn’t see what was happening.

Both are true. I have been there and will always be there … but it is also true that the more you connect with me, and the more you show yourselves ready to deliver my words into the world … the more I will send your way and use you. You remember I said, “Who can I send?” Isaiah said, “Send me.” So I sent him. As you say, Send Me and prepare yourselves thru our connection, I will indeed send you.

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