Out of Dry Ground
Whenever the verses from Matthew 28:18-20 are taught, the question always comes to mind, for whom are they written? No matter what chapter in my life I recount, one central theme is sure to be in view. "Go, therefore, and make disciples."
Jesus spoke those words to His Apostles who were standing before Him; however, they went on to be with Him two thousand years ago. Some think they are reserved for preachers, teachers, pastors, or maybe even elders, but are they?
Whenever a person comes to Christ, the first burden of their soul is to share their testimony with others. Sometimes the fire never really goes out, but too often than not, the fire too soon dwindles and burns out here in America. Sometimes we hear of a story where a person rescues another from death, and they remain by their side, always ready and willing to serve them out of gratitude. When Jesus saves a person, He saves them from eternal punishment, which translates into eternal gratitude. So why let the fire die in such a short while.
The mid-eighties brought much in self-evaluation and likewise re-evaluating of the Churches we proceeded to attend. It is all too easy to become complacent and not care what goes on around us. Church leaders give themselves to serve, and they must know what to do. As long as our children are taken care of, they are friendly, and there are no obvious sins, everything must be okay. Right?
After experiencing the stumbling that I did through the hands of a mission board, in my mind, the people who must care the most about what they do, I could not become complacent. One of the first lessons I learned in the Church was that it would be better to have a millstone hung around your neck and cast into the sea than make one of these little ones stumble. Jesus said it, and I believe it.
Complacency is a stumbling block. Likewise is timidity, weakness, lovelessness, and no discipline.
"For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelled in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. For this reason, I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." (2 Timothy 1:5-7)
If you want to hear more on this subject go to godlyincrease.org and listen to this week's podcast That They Might Know in the "Not I but Christ" series, "Jonah the Conflicted Prophet."
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