The Great Commission

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded for you.” Matt: 28:19-20.

The great commission. My church’s purpose echoes it: “to transform all followers into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.” But recently I’ve noticed something disturbing about myself. I’ve been working really hard at making disciples. I’ve been staying up late and getting up early to work on it. I’ve been vocal. I’ve talked about it with people I rarely or never talk to about it. I’ve researched it. I read and think about it every day. And it’s absolutely great! I’ve been meeting with wonderful success. I’ve convinced people to come to church!

You might be going, “well if he’s doing all that, what’s the problem?” Or you may have guessed where I’m going with this, already. I’m working really hard at the great commission…but only if it reads something like this:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Villa and Ronaldo and of Oezil and getting them to watch every game on TV.”

That’s right. At the moment I’m just a touch obsessed about the soccer world cup. I’m loving it and I’m talking about it all the time. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this. I’m not saying that staying up to watch Germany eviscerate England was a sin. I think the problem is that I am very rarely this excited and enthusiastic about sharing the Gospel. Yes, very occasionally I get that way but never for months, and never to this extent. God wants us to be consumed with Him in a way that makes it obvious to everyone else we meet that is how we identify ourselves: in what Christ has done for us. At the moment people who meet me will think my identity is wrapped up in being a football/Germany supporter. Which makes me sad.

I guess my hope and my prayer is that I will become this consumed with God. That my identity in Christ will be obvious to those I meet. How awesome would it be if there came a time when everyone who was obsessing over the world cup was as full of talk, ideas and enthusiastic discussion about the Gospel?

As a prayer request: Our evangelistic youth camp Winter Break is on this weekend. Prayers for safety and good Gospel sharing would be much appreciated. Be blessed!