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Why Should You Make the Great Commission Personal? Part 2 of 2
- July 1, 2023
- Posted by: Marcel Sanchez
- Category: Building Teams and Developing Leaders Developing Spiritual Disciplines Spiritual Life
Should you invest time, energy, and resources teaching others about growing their faith or let them figure things out on their own? I think you would agree with me on the first point.
Helping friends, family members, neighbors, and co-workers mature in their faith is a unique privilege. But to make this a reality, you must be intentional, available, and patient.
Continuing where we left off from our last article, today I would like to give you three points to consider as you seek to live out your faith in today’s marketplace with respect to the importance of teaching others.
1. Teach: Show people how to obey and practice God’s Word
"We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me." (Colossians 1:28-29, CSB)
There’s no better teacher than a living example of what needs to be done in action. Jesus did not simply tell his disciples to serve one another. He took it a step further. Jesus modeled the behavior he expected his disciples to follow.
Let’s work to help people mature to the stature of the measure of Christ (Colossians 1:28-29). Let’s not only hope they’ll become more like Christ, let’s teach them how to get there by example and in our teaching.
But let’s take it one step further. Let’s show people how to mature in Christ at work, in the community, at home, while watching sports, and eating at restaurants, and as we enjoy vacations with family.
Let’s make it explicitly clear. Don’t overthink this too much. Reflect back on those who helped you obey and practice God’s Word through their example.
What did you see other believers do that opened your understanding? What became very clear after watching their example of Christlikeness?
Mark each spiritual quality you observed them teach and/or practice.
___ A love for God
___ Prayerfulness
___ Generosity
___ Persevering
___ Godly parenting
___ Kindness
___ Godly priorities
___ Purity of Heart
___ A love for those without Christ
___ Avoids sin
___ Helps the weak
___ Patience
___ Self-controlled
___ Humility
___ Builds up others
___ Hopeful
___ A love for their spouse
___ A servant
___ Peaceful
___ Goodness
___ Self-control
___ A forgiving spirit
___ Gentleness
___ Faithfulness
___ Balanced
“We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.” (Colossians 1:28-29, HCSB)
2. Abide: Teach people how to remain focused on Jesus
Helping people break through the clutter of life to focus on Christ is essential to going on mission with God. People need help releasing past hurts, sins, and offenses. These “weights” slow people down and keep them from finishing their race (Hebrews 12:1-2).
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
We first have to make sure there’s nothing from our past slowing us down and keeping us from moving forward in our faith. If we’re constantly referring to past hurts, sins, or offenses, we’re still carrying “weights” from our past. Confess this to the Lord and move forward.
The Christian life is about Christ. He is our focus. Christ is whom we set our minds and hearts on (Colossians 3:1-4).
So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
Jesus promised, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Separate extended amounts of time to show people how to sit at the feet of Jesus and enjoy his presence. Show them the “How?” and tell them the “Why?” by your using your personal example as a living illustration.
Let them hear your deep love for God expressed in verbal praise and adoration.
Once they’ve learned how to receive from Jesus, rejoice in his presence, and release God’s love to others, the next part of training can begin. This involves helping people learn how to pray, share their faith, minister to others, study God’s Word, and obey God’s commandments.
Don’t assume those you train know how to do these things on their own. Along the way, you may encounter questions such as:
“How to know God?”
“How can I grow closer to Jesus Christ?”
“How can I know Jesus Christ as Savior?”
“Why did Jesus die for me?”
“Why was Jesus buried in a tomb?”
“Why did Jesus have to rise from the dead?”
“What can I do to have eternal life?”
“What do I have to believe about Jesus to be His child?”
“How can I confess my sins to God?”
“How do I study the Bible?”
“What does the Bible say about eternal life?”
“What does the Bible teach about heaven and hell?”
“Why is there only one way to know God?”
“Why do ‘good people’ suffer loss and pain in their lives?”
“Why should I go to church every weekend?”
“Why should I serve in my local church?”
“Why should I participate in a small group at my church?”
“How can I remove recurring sins in my life?”
“How can I forgive someone for hurting me?”
“How can I remove my sins from my past?”
“How can I discover who God is?”
“How can I have a personal relationship with God?”
“How can I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?”
“How can I learn from Jesus’ example of godliness?”
“How can I abide in Jesus every day?”
“How can I worship God in spirit and in truth?”
“How can I grow in my Christian faith and help others grow too?”
“How can I focus my life more on Jesus and obey what He says?”
“How can I consistently experience the fruit of the Spirit in my life?”
Personally walk them through each step in this process.
Remember, show them the “How?” as you tell them the “Why?” in every area of practice.
You are called to obey the Great Commission as you practice the Great Commandment.
3. Fulfill: Make the Great Commission your life’s mission
The Lord is counting on you to “go” and fulfill your calling. The people you know are the people the Lord wants you to reach with the Gospel. But he also wants you to get out of your comfort zone to reach those who are different and those who are far away (Romans 10:14-15).
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15)
If we only hear God’s Word in inaction, we deceive ourselves, and our faith does not grow. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22, NIV).
The Great Commission is for today and it is for you. Stop planning your life around comfort. Plan your life for eternal rewards. Start moving! You have a story to tell. You have people to teach and train. You have a unique purpose to fulfill in God’s kingdom.
What people at your place of work has the Holy Spirit been leading you to encourage and teach?
What culturally diverse people groups has the Holy Spirit been leading you to connect with and help grow to maturity in Christ?
Are you looking for resources to grow spiritually, relationally, and professionally?
My goal is to help you grow in the areas that matter most in life. If you would like to explore some of my print resources, you can find all of my recent books at my Amazon Author Page. You can click on the following link for more information: Click Here to Visit My Amazon Author Webpage
Strengthen Others Today!
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