Matthew 28:19, 20
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NLT)
“So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age." (NCV)
"God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." (The Message)
As many of you know LIFT Student Ministries (LSM) began an international work last year in London, England. Dan lead a team of students and adults “over the pond” to do what we do ~ find students, love them and direct them to the cross. As they landed and began preparing they hoped the 50 bed facility would soon be filled to the brim with British students. To their surprise and God’s glory 56 students came to experience this “LIFT” thing led by the visiting Americans. If you were to speak to anyone who broke the “AirLIFT” ground in England they will tell you that although it was one of most challenging weeks of their lives it soon became one of the most amazing weeks of their lives. Of the 56 students attending, 32 of them came to know the Lord as their Savior. LSM believes the Great Commission is our directive from the Almighty and we strive to accomplish it with passion and integrity.
So what does it mean to fulfill the GREAT COMMISSION? As Christians we are all “commissioned” ~ so what is expected of us? Let’s see…
1. We are to make all people believers…
The “making” referred to in the New Living Translation (NLT) does not involve forcing, pressuring or threatening. It has to do with introducing people to who Jesus is, what He did for them, what He can do for them, then having them accept the free gift of salvation.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Romans 6:23 (KJV)
One of the easiest ways to explain the process of salvation is by using the “ABC’s”:
A ~ they must ADMIT they have sinned, done things in which God does not approve
"There is no one who always does what is right, not even one.” ~ Romans 3:10
“Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard” ~ Romans 3:23
B ~ they must BELIEVE the Gospel – the death, burial and the miraculous resurrection of Jesus on the third day
“If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead you will be saved. ~ Romans 10:9
C ~ they must CONFESS or plead guilty to their sin and acknowledge their need for a Savior
We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved.” ~ Romans 10:10
D ~ encourage them to DO it now…DON’T wait…
“…Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” ~ 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)
2. We must teach baptism…
Salvation does the work – baptism is the outward demonstration of how Christ changes our life through faith when we accept Him. We clearly see that in the account of the 2 thieves crucified on either side of Jesus. The one believed and was promised eternity by the Savior. His belief saved him. He did not have the chance to follow in baptism. Baptism is symbolic of the transformation made by Christ in us at the time of salvation. Our immersion symbolizes the burial of Jesus (we die to the control sin has over our lives) and our raising out from the baptismal waters demonstrates our new life in Christ.
“When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and you were raised up with him through your faith in God's power that was shown when he raised Christ from the dead.” ~ Colossians 2:12
3. We must teach them ~ disciple them…
Salvation…Baptism…Discipleship…
What is discipleship? Why is it so important? When we disciple a new child of Christ, we show them to what it is to know, love and follow Christ. Salvation is just the beginning. It is there the new child meets their Father. Now they must get to know who their Father is, what He expects and what He desires for our lives.
You remember how it was when you first started dating that special someone. I know, for Dan and I, we talked on the phone for hours (imagine that), we spent as much time together as we could afford, shared favorite pastimes, thoughts for the future and memories from the past. We wanted to know each other as completely as possible. The same thought goes with discipleship ~ we must spend time with God to know who He is. What do we need to teach a new Christian?
…the importance of daily Bible reading
…the importance of prayer
…the importance of finding a Bible believing/teaching/preaching ministry to plug into
…the importance of pursuing those things which are pure, good, kind… (Philippians 4:8)
…the importance of finding an accountability partner to help stay focused
The GREAT COMMISSION starts with going. For LSM it means going to…
· LIFT Central, Cedarville University
· LIFT East, Harrisonburg, VA
· LIFT Midwest, Siloam Springs, AK
· LIFT Middle Midwest, Springfield, MO
· LIFT Southwest, Longview, TX
· LIFT Northeast, Langhorne, PA
AirLIFT…
o LIFT UK, London, England
§ LIFT Brazil
· LIFT Fiji
o LIFT Botswana
§ LIFT Jamaica
We will go. We will teach. We will baptize. We will disciple.
Will you go? Will you teach? Will you baptize? Will you disciple?
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