January 6, 2014

The Fellowship.

Today I would like to share a few words on a topic associated with the work we do. Foundation Ministries Inc. is a mission ministry, serving the heart of Christ as commissioned through the scriptures. Recently I was speaking at a fellowship and when finished I was faced with a situation I have never faced before or even considered. The fellowship (with dear people) had never had a missionary present to them a call to the nations and ministry outreach outside of the USA. So I would like to share a little on this if I may.

In Matthew 28 we read:
18* And Jesus came forward to them and spoke to them, saying: "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
19* Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;
20* teaching them to observe every command, which I have given you: and lo! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Here we begin with what many of us know as or call "the great commission." Jesus begins by stating by what authority he is about to speak with. His quantification is in the three-letter word "all." Jesus is saying there is no disputing my right to say what I am about to say, where, "In heaven or in earth." How can He make such a boast? It is because of who gave Him this authority, the one who said let there be light and there was light! Jesus had received His authority from the father God the creator of both heaven and earth. Why is this important? Because it denotes the authority that is relegated to any and all who will hear and do what He is commissioning.

What is this saying to us? That we are to "go into "all" the world and make disciples." Jesus commissioned us to go into all the world to compel others to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Notice the word make. It is important to note that a disciple of Christ is made and not born. To make is a word expressing creative power. Disciple simply means someone that is instructed or educated within a chosen field. The word denotes an investment of personal and intimate interactions in building character or ones nature associated within the discipline of the topic. How are we to do this?

First is to baptize them in the name of the "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Many take this as a simple act of taking a person to a river or baptismal and dunking them under water. We need to examine the context of this passage. You are creating or building something, it denotes the very active work of submerging them in the character, nature, and truth of the message you are presenting. We need to invest in their lives through continual fellowship, in being an example, teaching them, and supporting them as we disciple them in all we have learnt. Our personal investment is so we may impart and they may partake of all that we have come to know within Christ. Baptism is so much more than just a moment where we use water as a ceremonial oblation. It is a transforming experience that solidifies our commitment into newness of life with Christ.

Impart is a word meaning to pass on like an inheritance. If we understand that new believers are children or babes in Christ. Reflecting their stage of growth as an infant, requiring their siblings and parents to nurture, train and introduce them into their inheritance. This was and is a normal practice within the eastern cultural. It is reflective in scripture in Galatians 4:1-6. When as a babe they are under such teachers until the time of the Father. When the Father recognize they have matured and are ready to partake of their inheritance. So often in today's church social structure, the child is left to their own devises subjecting them to every wind and doctrine, thus producing prodicial children. Such children require or demand their inheritance, and with lack of maturity or training have it stolen by the enemy. Why is this happening? Because the body ministry has been neglected, and this responsibility rests solely with the Pastors, who are unable to perform such tasks for all the children. Governors and teachers were trusted members to impart or disciple the children in the ways of the Father or family.

So many say unto themselves how can I do this? But remember the words of Christ and His ending promise. "All authority" or undisputable right to do, is transferred to any who will hear and answer this call. Your ability should be centered in Christ that His power or mastery may rest upon you when you are weak or unable to do. The truth is, none of us is capable outside of His enabling. These passages promise you of that enabling and goes one step further. "Lo I am with you always." Jesus says I will never leave you, but be right there by your side, to help you when you are struggling or defeated. Such an encouraging promise, we do not have to do this alone, but have His presence and assurance every moment, of every day, in "al"" things. So let us all look unto the field, it is ripe, and we are called to be laborers for the harvest of these last days. I pray that each of you allow this short message to speak to your spirit and be an encouragement to you that you are chosen to present His life saving message, in example, teaching, service, and most of all through fellowship in love in "all" the world.

Devotion

John 13: 36Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

These verses to me are very encouraging! What a promise from the Lord to Peter, "You cannot go now, but you shall follow me afterwards."

God promises us, His children, many wonderful blessings when we choose to follow Him. There has been many times in my own life when the Lord has said to me, "Not now, but later." We as believers should not be discouraged with these times in our own lives and get caught in the "NOW" trap.

As we look at these verses, We get an understanding that God sees where we do not. Jesus told Peter, "Not now, but later," Peter then ask the question most of us follow a statement of "not now" with. "WHY NOT LORD?" We then read where Jesus knows something about Peter, that Peter didn't know. Peter wasn't quite ready to lay his life down.

Be encouraged that the Lord knows all things and the times in our lives where we hear, "Not now" is really a blessing from God.