“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples in ) ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe (obey) all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Ma.28: 18-20
The word nation means ethnic group or tribe.
In Myanmar there are 135, Nigeria 500, Tanzania 120, Kenya 53, Brazil 800....
Do you think they will ever all be reached?
Read Rev.5: 9 The Apostle John had a vision and saw into heaven..
The world is in darkness, we are the light of the world,
Jesus desires a witness of Himself in all nations.
To teach in all nations or make disciples in all nations is a great commission. Our finishing of this command will usher in the return of Christ for His church.
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. " Matthew 24: 14
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. " Matthew 24: 14
Jesus is worthy of the reward of His suffering. It is given to us to finish this Great Commission. I pray we can have the same compassion that Jesus has.
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Then saith he unto his disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.“ Ma. 9: 36-38
Our heavenly Father is well prepared He has it all worked out. We are told how he will do it.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. ” Ef.4: 11-16
Some teach that these gifts are not for today. That is heresy. The gifts are given “until we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man.” Has that happened yet? No way.
This is the fivefold ministry given to the church (believers) that will enable her to carry out the Great Commission. The work that has been given to us to do will bring about our own edification “according to the effectual working in the measure of every part.”
All disciples of Christ are gifted, but the gifts vary, your gift will be revealed as you obey the lead of the Holy Spirit. Those who submit to His leading will enter into the God given gift.
The first gift is...
Apostles meaning sent ones. Christ Jesus was an Apostle sent by the Father. He laid the foundation.
When was this foundation laid?
The Apostles are sent to establish the Church on this foundation. The Rock or Christ is not a religion nor a denomination. Christ is like a Rock in the sense of stable, He changes not He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the chief cornerstone. We do not compare ourselves with one another but we must always be compared to Christ Jesus He is our perfect example.
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3: 11
This foundation was laid before the foundations of the world.
Peter teaches that we are not redeemed with corruptible things.
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;" 1 Peter 1: 18
”But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.
”1 Pt. 1: 19,20 Things of the world are corrutable but the sacrifice was given before the world was created.
In the book of revelations it is speaking about the antichrist but the last part of the verse it speaks of Christ our Lord, we learn something very important.
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, (anti christ) whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb (Jesus) SLAIN (put to death) from the foundation of the world." Revelation 13: 8
Our Lord was not taken by surprise.. He is always prepared.
For God so loved the world. That He gave His only begotten Son. Before we were ever created, how can he love us before we were created? I know this sounds crazy but our Eternal God is marvelous. God has the ability to see the future. He can see the past ,present and the future equally well at all times. Here is a verse that will help us to understand.
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." 1 Peter 1: 2
We are the elect that was chosen before the foundation of the world. In His foreknowledge He loved us, He saw you and I in our lost condition coming to the faith in His beloved Son, therefore He chose us.
"This is how the Lord has been building his Church from the beginning. The promise was given and some believe and some don't. " In hope of eternal life, which God, that CANNOT LIE, promised before the world began;" Titus 1: 2 Once God has promised it is a settled matter. It's as good as done.
The CHURCH was born in the heart of God way back then. We see believers in the first book, the book of Job. Job was written three hundred years before Moses.
All 66 books are inspired and fit together perfectly and make one book. Not two, one. God made his covenant from the beginning and never has changed it. Man tried to make it easy for us and added chapters and verses and because he failed to believe or understand divided the book into two.
“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” Job 1:6-8
This book is the oldest book in the bible it was written about three hundred years prior to Moses, it was Moses who wrote what was is thought by those who are not aware to be the first five books. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ef.1: 3,4
God is not willing that any should perish.
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3: 9
He is not willing for anyone from any generation to perish. All have been given the opportunity to hear the good news.
Read Is.41: 4, Is.51: 8, Ps.89: 4, Dan. 4: 34
We are now all one with them. Isn't our LORD wonderful?
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ef.2: 19-22
Twelve were chosen by Jesus. “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;” Lu.6: 12,13 These were sent out to build on this foundation that was laid by Christ.
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Corinthians 3: 11
The Holy Spirit is still calling Apostles for the establishment of His believers. In the same way he and Barnabas were called out and sent by the church. Read Acts 13: 1,2 Who has ears to hear what the Spirit is saying?
Today we use the Latin word, missionary, which means the same, sent one. The life of an Apostle is not so easy. But a tremendous blessing. It's challenging it will stretch you. The easy life is a worthless life.
Read 1 Cor. 4: 6 & on
The second gift...
A Prophet is a spokesman for God.
Often thought one who speaks of things concerning the future. Which he does but is not limited to that, he will speak the mind of God whether it be present or future.
The ministry of prophecy is so important, the church is in need of this ministry. Prophets bring a lot of direction, exhortation, comfort, correction, and encouragement.
" But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."
1 Corinthians 14: 3 The prophet is used to motivate the Church.
The third gift is...
An Evangelist
All believers are expected to evangelize. But the one who is gifted as an evangelist usually loves preaching the word and is fruitful. The evangelist takes the gospel everywhere, he is not content until he is actively engaged. He Isn't waiting for the people to come to him. He is bold and his passion overrules his fear of men.
The fourth is...
A Pastor
Most people that have taken the title of pastor are not gifted to be a pastor. The one who is gifted to be a pastor loves the flock and most of his ministry is to the saints. He seems to always know when someone is sick and shows up at the best time. He usually is good at bringing a word of comfort to the discouraged. Like a shepherd of sheep he knows where to find good food. Such as a special service or a needed book.
The fifth is...
A Teacher
The gifted teacher is able to take complex scriptures and simplify them. By the way, all five of these gifts are seen in Jesus's ministry. Jesus displayed an excellent ability to teach. He had common ties with the people he was able to bring his teaching into everyday life. He didn't exalt himself, by using special vocabulary.
The teaching of God's word is needed wherever his people gather. The making of disciples requires much teaching. They bring much stability and maturity to the believer.
We are not limited to just one gift. Let's pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit and the heart to obey all He commands.
The Lord Jesus is building His Church and these gifts are enabling us with the spirit of grace to carry out the great commission. We know it will be done, In the vision that was given to the Apostle John of heaven reveals all nations around the throne of God.
"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" Revelation 5: 9
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