Jump Start # 625

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We continue our look this week at the subject of evangelism. Preaching and teaching is the only way that the kingdom grows and it is the only way a lost person finds Jesus. No one just stumbles into Heaven by accident. There is a deliberate action and specific choices made when one learns of Christ through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel. The saved seek the lost. The saved teach the lost. When the lost believe and make a commitment to Christ, they join the saved in this great work.

Evangelism isn’t the job of only the preacher, it’s the responsibility of each of us. Some are better teachers than others. Some know how to answer in kindness and point a person through the Scriptures to the answers they need. Some are not as good as this. Evangelism isn’t a contest. It isn’t a competition. All Christians are on the same side. It’s not about making one congregation larger than another. It’s about building God’s kingdom. Evangelism works well when the saved work as a team. One may be better at inviting than another. One may be better at teaching than another. Use each other. Help one another.

The third expression in our passage that is worth noting is “all nations.” Go make disciples of all nations. That was radical and difficult for the apostles. To obey and fulfill that command meant going to Samaria. Jews didn’t like Samaritans. It meant going to Gentile land. It meant eventually going to Rome, the headquarters of the power that suppressed the Jews. All nations means everyone everywhere. All nations includes those that hate my nation.

That expression carries two responsibilities. First, going overseas. Other nations, means beyond home. God needs those who are willing to travel. Many have and many continue to do this. This is hard. Different cultures, different languages, different people. Preachers today are constantly doing this. God bless them. Preachers aren’t the only ones who can nor should do this. Many ought to. Congregations need to stand behind their preachers and help them go. Support them. Encourage them. Involve the congregation with them. Take care of the preacher’s home and family while he is in other nations. While you may not be in the position to go, you can do much to help those who do go. In time, it may be your time.

Second, all nations also means across the street. Sometimes it’s harder to go across the street than it is to go across the ocean. We see those across the street all the time. Across the ocean are strangers. Going across the street often involves building a relationship of trust, goodness and compassion. Invite the neighbors over for dinner, just to get to know them. Jump in and help them out when you see them doing things. Be kind. Listen. Look for opportunities. If your congregation has a VBS, invite the neighbor to bring his kids. Drop God’s name in everyday conversation by saying things such as, “God has sure blessed us,” or, “Isn’t this a great day that the Lord has made.” Let them know that you are praying for them. Invite them to services. Ask them for a Bible study. Be kind. Don’t condemn. Don’t overload them with too much information. Consider where they are coming from. Be patient. It’s not the church, but Jesus you are connecting them to. If they refuse, don’t avoid them and ignore them. Give it some time and try again.

All nations—across the seas and across the street. Both are needed. Both are important. Both are challenging. With God and with the team (the church) you can do this. It’s being done everyday.

Roger