Called and Equipped

The calling to share Christ does not go out to only a select few. God has called His Church to bear His Name t0 the nations... that means that all of us who love & follow Him are meant to share His love, teach His Word... to make disciples. Jesus tells us: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” We're called to join together in total abandon to His purposes, living our lives for the sake of His glory in the world. That is our driving force: His glory. Our God deserves to receive praise & honor & glory from every people group in the world. It has been said that Matthew 24:14 is the most important verse for the Church today: "And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." We have a specific task, to share the Gospel with every people group in the world.

"And he had given them one command as their commission: make disciples. Do with others what I have done with you, Jesus had said. Don't sit in a classroom; share your lives. Don't build extravagant places; build extraordinary people. Make disciples who will make disciples who will make disciples, and together multiply this gospel to all peoples. This is the simple command that was to drive the church. And this is the simple command that is to drive each of our lives." (from Radical Together by David Platt)

In Revelation 7:9-10, John tells of seeing a vast crowd "from every nation and tribe and people and language" standing before the Throne, worshipping. This is the picture that God has given us, and through His grace He gives us the priceless gift of being His witnesses to the world. God has given this Commission to His Church, the Body, and every member of the Body has a key role. Take a few minutes today and go read Exodus 35 & 36. It is a beautiful picture of how God equips His people for His purposes. He had given the Israelites specific instructions for how to build the Tabernacle, then He told Moses to take up an offering from all who had "generous hearts". God provided everything that was needed to build the Tabernacle to His people. Then they had the incredible opportunity to offer it all back to Him. God also gifted certain people with the skills that were needed to make all the things for the Tabernacle. Because everyone freely and willing gave of the materials and talents that God had gifted them with, there was more than enough. The same is true today... God has generously gifted His Church. He has given us all that we need to fulfill His Commission. He has provided the resources and gifted His people to do the work. Maybe you feel like you're not gifted enough or qualified enough to serve effectively and be used in the building of the Kingdom. Don't let Satan keep you locked in fear. "You have the Word of God before you, the Spirit of God in you, and the command of God to you: make disciples of all nations." (Radical Together)

"God has called us to lock arms with one another in single-minded, death-defying obedience to one objective: the declaration of his gospel for the demonstration of his glory to all nations. This is God’s design for his people, and it is worth giving our lives to see it accomplished. It is worth it for billions of people who do not yet know that Jesus is the grave-conquering, life-giving, all-satisfying King. And it is worth it for you and me, because we were made to enjoy the great pleasures of God in the context of total abandonment of his global purpose." (Radical Together)

So I invite you (and myself) to spend some serious time with the Father and ask some radical questions. How has God gifted you specifically? In what way is He inviting you to be involved in His global purpose? What are you holding on to that is keeping you from being fully abandoned to Him?

If you haven't already, check out David Platt's books Radical and Radical Together at www.radicalthebook.com.