EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP ARE NOT MUTUALLY ESCLUSIVE Then said Jesus to those Jews which BELIEVED on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my DISCIPLES indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32) When did we ever get the idea that making DISCIPLES is to be separated from our call to EVANGELIZE?? The person who has the TRUE FAITH working within their heart will evidence the fact that it is GENUINE by expressing a desire to FOLLOW ON with the Lord. Regardless of how minuscule those initial baby steps of faith may seem, they will be evident and they should be encouraged!! SEEDS CONTAINED IN THE FRUIT And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding SEED, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, WHOSE SEED IS IN ITSELF, upon the earth: and it was so. (Genesis 1:11) Within creation (which speaks of Gods ways and the NEW CREATION). God created life, with seed contained inside of itself in order to reproduce after its own kind. Similarly, the seeds of discipleship should always be present within the FRUIT of the Gospel message being presented. Any fruit that contains NO SEED (to reproduce itself) is a hybrid of man and mixture of some sort. THE GREAT COMMISSION The two passages that spell out our GREAT COMMISSION are related, while demonstrating TWO different emphasis: MATTHEW: The GOAL OF THE COMMISSION: Produce Disciples Go ye therefore, and teach (disciple) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE (obey) ALL THINGS I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20) MARK: The MIRACULOUS MEANS OF THE COMMISSION: Supernatural Ministry And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and CONFIRMING THE WORD WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING. Amen. (Mark 16:15-20) In both cases, THE LORD WENT WITH THEM. To the BELIEVER who will seek to demonstrate Gods power as they answer the call to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES. THE LORD WILL GO AND WORK WITH YOU!!
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 16:34:52 +0000
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