Jesus, in His Great Commission, tells us to, ‘Go and makes disciples of all nations…’ (Matthew 28:18-20). This speaks of movement - it will only be fulfilled by those who are walking with God and are prepared to go wherever He leads. The logic seems to be that if Jesus’ church was genuinely open to what the Spirit was saying, we would go and make disciples of all nations! The Great Commission will only be fulfilled by Christians that work with God, together in churches, and work together in movements.
Readings and reflections
1. Together, we are to fulfil the Great Commission. We will do this by raising leaders, impacting communities, reaching more nations and planting churches. Covid is not to put this on hold, no, God is using these Covid circumstances to fulfil His purposes!
‘I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 1:3-6)
What does this text teach us about ‘partnership’ (Koinonia) with apostles of movements?
Churches and groups of churches can become focussed on many things; what, principally, is Paul’s partnership focussed on achieving?
2. Churches and families of churches are to be captivated by a vision of what the church is meant to be. We are to allow the future to pull us forward, rather than allowing past or present disappointments to immobilise us. Here are some of the things we are to get excited about becoming as we walk with God,
“You are the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13)…You are the light of the world, a city built on a hill (Matt. 5:14)… The joy of the earth (Ps. 48:2…A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9-10)…Being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit (Eph. 2:22)… Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it (1 Corinthians 12:27)…A house of prayer for all nations (Matt. 21:13)…’
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