By Andrew Williams – January 30, 2022
In the church that was at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them to.” Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.
Acts 13:1-3 HCSB
Good morning fellow disciples.
Matthew 28:19-20 HCSB states that we should: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
In Acts 13:1-3, we see four men who had left their country of origin to go to Antioch to spread the gospel and to help grow the church there. When we look at the Great commission given by the Lord Jesus Christ we could say that they had gone into the world to make disciples.
However after being there for a while we see that God had other plans for two of them. During one of their fasting services Holy Spirit spoke to them telling them to release Paul and Barnabas to go to other areas to spread the gospel and make disciples.
Have you gone into the world to make disciples for Christ?
Have you made disciples for Christ where you are living?
If you have, is God calling you to go elsewhere to make more disciples for His kingdom?
Are you in the habit of making disciples wherever you go?
Our primary mandate as disciples of Christ is to make other disciples. The Great commission that Jesus gave in Matthew 28 has not changed. We need to be continually making disciples for His kingdom wherever we are!
Prayer: Father God, help us to redirect our focus to making disciples. Let us not get comfortable in church and forget about going out to make disciples.
Father God, where I have failed in disciple making, I repent. I pledge to now go out into my community, my workplace, and the world to make disciples for Your kingdom. Amen