By Michael Adekoya – Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:19-20)
Dear Reader, pick up any newspaper, especially financial newspaper or any magazine, and you’ll realize that big corporations rise and fall on one thing…”leadership”! But leadership is crucial in all areas of life like marriage, business, ministry, church, community, school and government to mention a few. Each of these areas requires God, vision, mission, plan, strategy, initiative, focus, wisdom, faith, trust, discipline and integrity. Those who don’t demonstrate these qualities usually end up helping others fulfil their dreams.
My friend, if Jesus’ only goal on earth was to die for our sins, why didn’t He go directly from His Baptism in the Jordan River to the cross? It is because for the next three years after His Baptism in the Holy Spirit, His intention (ministry or mission) was to plant the seeds of godly leadership in the lives of those who would ultimately carry His message (His Gospel) to the world. And because of the principles that Jesus taught, His disciples grew into maturity and they were fruitful in their respective ministries long after He had departed.
The Gospels are Jesus’ training manuals, which He used for the intense preparation of those who spent every day talking, sleeping, eating, walking, praying and travelling with Him. They didn’t miss an opportunity to learn about their mission and the methods needed to fulfil it. Jesus commanded and commissioned them and said, “Go…and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…” Jesus did not command them to go and make ‘converts’ who are simply “believers.” He did not command them to go and make ‘church goers’, neither does He commands us for the same purpose today. He commanded them to go and make ‘disciples’, just as He’s commanding us today, especially this last day!
My friend, do you know that ‘all disciples are believers but not all believers are disciples.’ Today, our churches are full of ‘converts’, ‘church-goers’ and ‘believers.’ Listen! I know you love Jesus, you pray and teach about prayer, you come to church, pay your tithe and give offerings but what is the next step? In these last and closing days, Jesus is calling us (Christians) to go and make disciples. That is the mandate given to every Christian, either you are an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, Bishop or church member (read Eph. 4: 11-16).
My friend, if you are a Christian leader, Jesus did not call you to pamper or lord over the saints under your leadership He didn’t appointed you to use them as instruments to finance your personal kingdom. He did not bring them so that you can use them to facilitate your egocentric, self-centred and selfish lifestyles, all in the name of God. God has ordained you (if you are ordained) to teach them, build them, equip them, lift them and feed them in the Word to grow and prosper. They’ll finance the Gospel to reach other parts of the world. Equip them and release them for the work of ministry…to go and make other disciples. That is where your success in ministry lies.
My friend, in case you are ignorant of this truth…Jesus wants you to use the gifts and talents He has given you, not just to shake up your kids’ and grandkids’ generations but your own! Your best contribution to the future generations is the inspiration of watching you slay your giants, move your mountains, and be an instrument in the hand of God to intercept the lost and dying souls around you who are on their way to hell and bring them to Jesus! That’s the way to pass on the baton or torch to the future generation so that when it comes to their turn, they can pray with confidence and say, “Father God, You’ve done impossible things in the past and You can do them today.” What a legacy! Don’t miss it! Don’t mess it up!
My friend, Jesus is calling you and me to radical, no compromise Christian living…whatever it costs godly lifestyles. The first century disciples of Jesus Christ turned their world upside down. They lived the Christian life as it was presented to them personally by Jesus and they passed it on to us. We too can participate in this ‘true discipleship’ lifestyle and pass the torch to our next generation, as long as Jesus hasn’t come back.
Jesus said: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35) My friend, are you able to see the “fields” as ripe and ready for harvest? Difficult—even dark—times, whether on a personal or a national level, are some of the best times to reach out and touch people’s lives with the message that really matters. As God’s people, whom Jesus calls the light of the world, we should be most effective in dark and perilous times.
My friend, can you see the possibility of people, including your loved ones, being reached by Christ? Can you envision the potential they might have in God’s kingdom if they became believers? And can you see yourself as having a very real and practical part in the reaching process? Listen! Are you able to imagine how harvesting might look in your sphere of influence? Can you see everyday encounters, conversations and even the most routine situations developing into divine opportunities to have an eternal impact on someone’s life? If you can, you’re ready to begin reaping the harvest starting from this month of harvest. Pass on the baton to the next generation! Remain blessed!
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