We started LifeApps several years ago to take what we learned on Sunday to home, school, and work on Monday.
Easter is the “poster child” for LifeApps. What we find in the story of Easter demands an application in our own lives. Each of the gospels ends with what believers call the Great Commission. Matthew’s gospel gives the most explicit statement of the Great Commission. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Each of the four gospels ends with this command of Jesus to take the gospel to all nations.
In Matthew, the emphasis on the nations is enhanced by where the command was given. Galilee was “Galilee of the Gentiles.” Many non-Jews lived in this area of Israel. By giving this command, Jesus intended to lead His disciples to make Him known to all the nations of the world. The gentiles in Galilee needed to hear the message.
How do we do this?
First, make this the normal part of your life. Matthew 28:19-20 literally says, “As you go, make disciples.” The only verb here is to “make disciples.” God intended for us to use the normal events of life as the avenue for sharing our faith in Christ.
Second, tell what you have seen and heard. We all like to hear the stories of people’s lives. The resurrection of Jesus is the disciples’ story. The disciples simply told what they had seen and heard.
As you tell how God has blessed your life, you help other people hear the story as well.
Third, let others see the difference in your life. After the resurrection, the disciples experienced radical change. They lived bold lives, taking the gospel to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Because they had seen Jesus, they placed their faith in Him above all other relationships and responsibilities.
Finally, take every opportunity to make Christ known. The Apostle Paul called it “redeeming the time,” that is, making the most of every opportunity.
This week we will go back to school and to work. Our normal lives will take us to many places, both close by and far away. Let us help those around us experience what God has done in our own lives.
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4 Responses
This is not a message for fools.
In other words, There is a Great Debate, each one has a part in the Debate. There is the Author and Finisher of the Debate. Each has an opportunity on the stage of Life to participate. Each should not miss their opportunity. The world is drawn to Light. When one is winning the Debate, their Light Shines. Darkness will turn away from the Light as it says in the first Chapter of the Gospel of John. It is the natural reaction of evil to attempt to cover the Light, to limit the debate. It takes a Body to push back those attempts. Thus it is not always possible for the debater to know by immediate results ones standing in the Debate of His Kingdom. Watching the ends of the Disciples on “The Bible,” History Channel presentation, brought the message home.
Each should check themselves against the definition of a cult and the teaching of Scripture regarding The Relationship it Requires. Difficult, perhaps to let prejudicial scales fall from our eyes, especially where flesh interests are concerned. That is where Godly fellowship must come into the picture. Not so easy to find or realize as one might expect. In the midst of the crowd, one may be alone.
This is where it gets challenging for all those individual points of Light. Each debating with the others about who is greater, brighter, more enduring. Alas the messages of Ecclesiastes on vanity and seasons is upon the Body/Bride.
What shall we do? If we Love not through the provision of the Father, what kind of Love have we? “Though I be crucified in Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but…” “…Prove what is that Good, Acceptable and Perfect (Complete) Will of God.” Basic steps to get to Romans 12:5 to be realized to effect those realizations that follow in the Design.
Thank you for a wonderful walk, talk and reminder of Whose we are and Why we are to be His. That morning by morning, new mercies are there to be seen. The answer to the “What Happens Now,” is available.
AMEN.
Blessings.
A sweet young lady said “I wan’t Christ to come live in my heart” yesterday at MC! The first of many as MC “takes every opportunity to make Christ known”. Thank You Jesus!
Praise God!
Check out A-12 Sunday March 31, 2013 and please note who paid for the ad.
A-15: I remember being in the studio of Angela Hill when my son was with her on set. She was a very nice person on and off the set. I remember Alec Gifford speaking at the petroleum club in the 70’s. I had the pleasure last year to assist his family with him at the East Jefferson Wellness Center. Another genuine person who expressed themselves well. Time marches on, interesting. I continue to pray as reminded for Garland. “The Think Tank” is a good place to consider Sunday’s message by Dr. Bailey. From time to time the subject comes up. With God all things are possible, Good Things.
Blessings