May 11, 2012 (2 Samuel 19-20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 NLT
Observation: The final instructions of Christ was to go and teach others about Him. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands that He has given us. Teach them what it means to serve God with a pure clean heart. Preach the message of repentance that will reconcile the lost back to God through Christ Jesus. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The disciples were to baptize people because baptism unites believers with Jesus Christ in their death to sin and their resurrection to a new life. Baptism symbolizes submission to Christ, a willingness to live God’s way, and identifies us as belonging to the family of God.
Application: As with many others things, we have easily distorted the final instructions of Christ. He did not say, ‘Therefore, go and build churches all over the world”, No! He said, “Therefore, go and make disciples.” Somehow we have come to the conclusion that the only way to make disciples is to build earthly church buildings. We have forgotten one very important fact in our quest though, disciples are the church. The only way we can build a church is to make disciples. Church is not a building or a place, church is a people. The people of God. The people that have surrendered to Christ as saviour and Lord. The people that have died to sin and have had their lives resurrected through the power of the Holy Spirit. These are disciples, these are the church. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations and watch God build a church that the gates of hell cannot destroy.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Thank You for Your strong right arm that fights for me and wins! Thank You for Your church, Your people that have died to sin and have been born again, raised in the newness of life in Christ Jesus. Your salvation is amazing and Your love is ever lasting. Father have mercy on America, forgive her for she is deep in sin. May Your will be done, in Jesus name, Amen!