What Are We Waiting For?

As we move past Thanksgiving and into Christmas and the close of 2012, there are so many obvious topics to write about, all worthy to engage in.  However, as I sit to share with you all, there is only one message I truly desire to get out.  Before I share what that is though, I invite you all to answer the following two questions:

  1. In the Great Commission, as given in Matthew 28:19-20, we are commanded by Jesus to “Go, therefore, and make ___________________ of all nations…”
  2. As a follower of Jesus, lovingly and joyfully obedient to His commandments, the last three disciples I have intentionally made were named: ________________________,  ________________________, and _________________________.

OK, so how did you do?  Based on a very general understanding of the American church and our ministry team, I’m very optimistic that we did great with question one.  We are commanded to make disciples.

How about question two though?  While it’s not my desire to be pessimistic, I’ll bet a number of you are struggling to name one person, let alone three who you have helped to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior and then helped to grow into a mature disciple who is now also making disciples.

As you read and think about these questions and your answers, assuming you are a follower of Jesus, is there a disconnect?  If so, how do you respond to that?  If there's not, I praise the Lord for your faithfulness in making disciples.  For me though… the disconnect is convicting to say the least.  Jesus, my Lord, my Savior, the One who was tortured and killed on my behalf so that I may experience eternal life, the One to whom I will one day give an account, the One whom I say I love has commanded me to make disciples.  How have I responded?  Not well, at least not most of the time.  To be frank and honest, there is a word for what I have been most of my life… disobedient!  I’m NOT OK with this.  Perhaps you’re in the same boat?

Either way, I now finally bring us back to the message I desire to share.  On November 10th and 11th, Pastors Francis Chan and David Platt hosted a powerful, live, three hour webcast where they invited us, the church body, to respond to the Great Commission.  It was a powerful message, and the recording is now available for viewing via the webcast through December 8th (a video of the webinar will be loaded after that time).  And so, here is my request, invitation, and prayer, that you would gather your family, friends, Huddle, small group, or maybe just yourself to go and watch this webcast.  If you do, I believe you will be moved!

http://www.multiplymovement.com/#gatherings

More will be coming regarding this in future months, but for now, please watch and share the video.  Then go, and make disciples.

For God’s Glory,

Chris


 

Posted on Tue, December 4, 2012 by Chris Anderson filed under

2 comments (Add your own)

1. Marissa wrote:
A few weeks ago, I made a comment cmiparong examples of “great faith” and “little faith” in Matthew.There are two examples of “great faith” that Jesus points out in Matthew (the centurion in chp 8 and this woman in chp 15). There are also two examples of “little faith” (Peter in chp 14 and the disciples in chp 16). I think there might be some similar characteristics between the first two examples that are absent in the other two examples. In verse 20, Jesus again tells the disciples they have “little faith” (NIV). I've always thought I've been like that sometimes that I couldn't do something because my faith was too small However, it doesn’t seem like the Disciples need more or bigger faith, because he explains it with an example of “mustard-seed faith” (which is smallest of small) which could move a mountain. It appears that what makes the disciples faith ineffective in this instance has nothing to do with size, but the instead has to do with the object of the faith. In fact, even faith as small as a mustard seed, when it is faith in Jesus Christ, can do the most powerful things.So, this might also help explain the other references to “little faith” in Matthew. It may be confusing to read that word translated as “little faith” and wonder why we can’t increase the size of our faith do great things. However, It is encouraging to to me to realize that the Power of God working in the world around us is not dependent on the size of my faith, but rather the object of my faith

Tue, December 25, 2012 @ 5:12 AM

2. Julie Strom wrote:
I believe we have great Faith when we want for something and pray about it...it happens to work out so then we think...now that was the power of God working right there. I also think that when ppl go through hard times that are unexplainable they then lose Faith or it dwindles down the the "little Faith"....that's where we "the disciples" come in and re-introduce or reitterate what they have lost site of when it's most critical. We just want instant gratification and when things are not just that the demon steps in and tries to block the Word of God. I am guilty of this for brief moments or longer at times and I don't even know it...God is Great and He knows this is how we operate....He gives our Salvation though....the greatest Love and through Him all things are Possible! Hope this made sense and was a good contribution. I enjoyed reading your comments/Word...you inspired me to get my thoughts out there.

Sat, January 5, 2013 @ 11:13 AM

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