Matthew records a final message from Jesus in what is labeled The Great Commission. Here we are urged to live with Purpose (disciple-making), in His Power (He is always with us with all authority), and with Passion (teaching them to obey).
This means adopting the Lord’s agenda for our lives. It is not easy nor is it intuitive, but it is thrilling. After Peter denied knowing Jesus the Christ three times, a discouraged Peter returned to his former profession. John chapter 21 records how Jesus met him on the shore after a night of fishing.
At dawn, when Peter was told, “It is the Lord,” he hurried back to Jesus. Notice that Jesus did not ask Peter, “Do you know me?” or “Do you believe in me?” The question he asked Peter three times was, “Do you love me?” This is the same question we must answer. Jesus has to wonder; how many times does it take before it dawns on us that His call on our lives is to love Him?
When we are in love, we cannot take our mind off the person of our affection. The best outcomes of our lives take focus when Jesus is the object of our affection. How does this happen? Three ways: 1) Bible, 2) Bible, and 3) Bible. Then the Lord makes a path for our steps. (Psalm 85:13)
Start a Journey with Purpose, Power and Passion by entering a profile on missionnext.org to see how the Lord can use your life-skills at home or abroad to be a part of God’s agenda to disciple Christ-followers among the peoples of His world.
Matthew 20:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
