Jump Start # 626

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.”

It is amazing to look at each expression in this powerful sentence of our Lord. We often call this passage the great commission. It was charged to the apostles and fulfilled throughout their lives. We understand that the going, the making, the baptizing and the teaching are all essential today. We cannot give up on this. Churches cannot be satisfied with what they have nor where they are. We have settled into simply going to worship services as all that God requires of us. Not so. “Go tell it on the mountain” is the plea of every generation. This is not the sole work of preachers. The more a church is engaged in telling the story, inviting friends, passing out cd’s, articles and material, the more the word of God gets into the hearts of the world. You have contact with someone that most likely no other Christian does. You are their bridge to Christ.

The next expression in this sentence that we are looking at is, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”  Baptism. It’s important. It’s essential. It’s necessary. Jesus wants every person baptized. He wants all nations baptized. Most of our readers in this fellowship understand this. Most outside of this fellowship do not. The religious community has shelved baptism as not being that important. We’ve been told that merely accepting Jesus is all that you need. We’ve been told that baptism does not save. We’ve been told that baptism is merely an outward sign of an inward experience. Somehow those thoughts were not held by Christ nor the apostles. The defining act of commitment to Christ is baptism.

• Acts 2:38 Peter told the audience to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins
• Acts 22:16 Saul of Tarsus was told to arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling upon the name of the Lord
• 1 Cor 6:11 the Corinthians were “washed”, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus
• 1 Peter 3:21 Peter said that baptism saves

Then there are all those specific examples of baptism in the book of Acts: those gathered at Pentecost (Acts 2), Samaritans (Acts 8), the eunuch (Acts 8), Saul (Acts 9), Cornelius (Acts 10), Lydia (Acts 16), the jailer (Acts 16). There is no example AFTER the resurrection of Jesus of anyone being saved without water baptism. There is no Biblical exception to this. I must be baptized if I want Christ. I must be baptized if I want to go to Heaven. That’s the conclusion.

The conclusion is overwhelming. If I want to be saved, I need to believe the gospel message, repent of my sins and be immersed (baptized) and then follow Christ. That’s where the Scriptures take you. This is not hard to see. Denying baptism is as catastrophic as denying repentance or even faith. Does water save us? It’s Jesus that saves. He says, we do. He sets the conditions, we follow. Why do we repent? Because Jesus said so. It’s hard to follow Christ on the inside while we are chasing sin on the outside. Doesn’t work. Why do we have to be baptized? Jesus said so. It’s humbling. It is an act of obedience. It ends the old life. Down in the water is like down in the grave. Up out of the water is like up out of the grave. It’s a new life the Romans were told. It is a resurrection to a new way. It’s not simply a second chance to do what we did before. That didn’t work. That got us into trouble with God. It’s a second chance to do things right. God’s way.

What if I don’t want to be baptized? What if I decide to just love the Lord, believe in Him but leave the baptism part off? Why if I died before I was able to be baptized? Why do we fight the Lord with these questions? Why are we being selfish and not obedient? Why do we want to do what we want to do? Jesus said be baptized, here in this passage and also in Mark 16:16. Becoming a disciple begins with “denying self.” It’s not my way, but His way. Why fight Jesus? Why argue with Jesus? He doesn’t have to save you. This is a gift and I’m fussing about it? Come on! What are we thinking? Had Jesus said, “learn a foreign language,” we’d get the books, start practicing and learn the language. Why? Because if that’s what Jesus wants, we will do it. If Jesus said be baptized, why fight this. Do you know who fights this the most? Preachers do. Amazing. Read the Gospels. Read Acts. You cannot walk away from those books thinking that a person is ok by just accepting Jesus. No way. Maybe it’s the only way to get a crowd? Maybe it’s just the way they were taught in school? Maybe they just don’t want to see it.

Is baptism the only thing I have to do to go to Heaven? No. Why else do we have the rest of the N.T.? It shows us our responsibilities and conduct as Christians. We must walk with the Lord. We must do what He wants.

Now we come to the key point of all of this. Have you been baptized into Christ after being taught the gospel of Jesus? This is not being baptized by a baby. No. This is hearing the gospel taught and then choosing to be baptized. Babies don’t make that choice, their parents do. Babies do not understand the gospel. Have you been baptized after being taught the gospel? Why not? Don’t you want to obey Jesus? Don’t you want what He offers?

If you would like free CD’s or articles explaining further what the Bible teaches about baptism email me (Rogshouse@aol.com) and I will send them to you. This is important. This is what the Lord wanted His apostles to go and tell the world. This is what we must tell the world. Jesus saves. Jesus is to be believed. Jesus wants you to be baptized. Jesus wants YOU to be baptized.

Roger

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

Jump Start # 623

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.”

Evangelism—telling the story of Jesus to others. This is important. Recently I was with a congregation and taught a VBS adult class on evangelism for an entire week. This week, my home congregation is having a VBS. The adults are studying evangelism. (If you are in the area come and join us this week. Details are on our website). Congregations understand the value and importance of evangelism. For a few days I want to look at this passage.

First, let’s be honest. Many Christians are not comfortable talking to others about Jesus. We find it difficult to be natural. Jesus was so smooth. We are so awkward. You are not alone in your feelings. What do I say? How do I bring up the subject? What if they object? Common concerns.

Second, we must learn how to tell the story of Jesus. Evangelism is the only way the kingdom of God grows. Preaching and teaching God’s word, whether publicly or privately is how growth takes places. Every person comes to Christ the same way—they are taught. No one is born naturally into the kingdom. No one buys their way into the kingdom. No one inherits it. Everyone one, one by one, is taught and they believe and they make a commitment to God. If all Christians stopped repeating the story, the kingdom would cease to grow. Evangelism is important.

Third, there are many ways and methods of starting a spiritual conversation. Look at the various ways Jesus did that. Nicodemus came to Jesus with questions. The Samaritan woman was asked to draw some water for Jesus and that turned into a conversation about living water. People are different. We are different. Different backgrounds. Different pasts. There is not a one size fits all formula for evangelism. Begin where people are. Some have a good background understanding of God and the Bible. Others are not sure there is a God. Others still are not sure the Bible is God’s only book. Begin where people are. Evangelism, like the parable of the sower, is getting the seed or the word of God into hearts. For some, all they need is an invitation to come to church services. That’s a great place to start. Others, are uncomfortable with that. Possibly handing them a CD of a sermon or even copying a Jump Start will be all that you need to have something to talk about. For others, answering a question that leads to having a Bible study is the key. Many ways. Many tools.

Fourth, our passage begins with a valuable word for evangelism, “GO.” Jesus used the same word in Mark 16. “GO.” Those who have been saved are to go to those who are not. Those who have been taught are to go to those who have not been taught. GO. Remember the movie, “Field of Dreams,” about the Iowa farmer who built a baseball diamond in his cornfield? Ancient ballplayers from long ago would appear and play ball. The famous line from that movie was, “If you build it, they will come.” I think sometimes we have that thought among us. Build a nice church building and people will come. Keep the grass mowed, the carpet clean and people will show up. Some do. The thrust of our passage is “go.” Go to where they are. Don’t wait for them to come—go to them. That means I have to turn the TV off, get out of my chair and go. That means I seek them. That means I am thinking of others. That means I am praying, planning and going. We can be like a football team that spends all of it’s time in the huddle. We can talk, plan and discuss great plans. Sooner or later, we have to execute. We have to “go.”

Evangelism works best through relationships. The better a person knows you the better they will listen to you. Think about the people you know. Think about the people who need Jesus (everyone does). Make a list. Pray about those on you list. Begin by looking, listening and finding ways to connect spiritually. Jesus often connected with hurting people. That’s a place to start. Those who are going through difficulties. Show compassion. Let them know that you are praying for them—and do it. Invite them. Ask them to study. Offer a cd of a lesson. Then don’t get discouraged. Don’t give up. It takes time.

Go—this is where it all starts. Give it a try today. Look at the people today that you meet. Some you work with. Some in the neighborhood. Some in stores. Everywhere people. Everywhere, folks needing Jesus. Some are looking for Jesus. Others need to and need a little help. You may be the only person they know that is a Christian. Show them Jesus. That’s important.

Roger