"The Great Commision"

[Buddy2]

The Great Commision was given by Jesus to His disciples.
And to us?

Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Luke 24:47
"and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

Are there as many ways to carry out this 'job' as there are christians?
Does it include the building of churches? Or just going home to home?
If we attend a church, is donating to the mission fund the right thing to do?
Or maybe getting involved in mission orientated organizations? Going yourself?
How 'bout opening our livingroom for Bible Study and keep on inviting everyone we meet? Is that still okay without an affiliation to a particular church? Just asking for as many scripture based answers as possible.

The reason I ask is because 'how do we know if what we do is right in God's eyes?'. Some say church and tithing to support a pastor, staff and projects is the way to go, while others say no church group is needed or only a particular denomination will do. And other possibilities.

I know from experience that while holding home bible studies with no official affiliation and a pastor that was just travelling through, all of us grew in the Lord. That pastor never asked for support. Then he moved on and another took his place. The new pastor registered the group as a church with a particular denomination. After that it slowly fell apart. People started having opinions about the pastor and money also came into play destroying the fellowship.

In these days, what is God asking of us?
Is there any scriptural proof of what direction we should go?

 

[Faithful Son]

Hi there Buddy2, I moved your thread to the Church and Sermons forum, I think it's more fitting here.

God bless
teraside

 

[Word of Life]

Not sure how to answer your questions, because there has been several questions that go through my mind about all this, what God likes and what God doesn't like, where do we go and what we should do for Him

Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Now Joh 3:8, when reading this scripture before, I thought about it, I went quiet to see if I could hear the wind bloweth and to see if I could hear any kind of sound and of course I couldn't, does this mean I am not born in spirit, if I can't hear the wind.

Can anyone else hear the wind? The answer to this question I would really like to know about.

Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Regarding the above, I just don't see enough of Christians going out there making disciples of people. Sorry I just don't see it, spoke about this at my cell group this week too, most Christians seem to be ashamed of God and this is sad.

Luk 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

This is another scripture I feel God has led me too,

Mar 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Now this man followed all the commandments but didn't do this one thing that Jesus had said, and that was sell everything he had and give to the poor, take up the cross and follow Him.

Now this scripture always comes too me several times too and what concerns me, I don't see Christians selling all and taking up the cross for Jesus.

 

[Faithful Son]

Can anyone else hear the wind? The answer to this question I would really like to know about.

Hi there Word of Life, I'll try to answer your question.

Let's look at the NIV translation of John 3:8

8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

I believe when you are baptized or born with the Spirit, Jesus makes it clear what the experience is going to be like, I don't want to sound silly or anything, but I have read the book of John and never really paid attention to this verse, it's the way I read, and it didn't have barring on what I was thinking at the time. I saw this verse a few weeks ago when I read my Bible and started to ask God about it, I believe the answer is a simple one.

Like I said at the start, when you are baptized in the Spirit, you are born of the Spirit, then you will hear the wind, but you don't know where it's coming from, or where it is going. Now, this brings new questions to my life, I profess to be saved from about 1999, but I clearly, clearly remember having this sensation as a child of about 6 or 7 years old. I heard the wind, while no wind was blowing and I didn't know where it was going! I felt a feeling like I have never felt before. I know it sounds funny, but why would I remember that day, that experience if it didn't mean something?

I believe that being born of the Spirit is quite the same and could be compared to water baptism, except, Jesus baptizes by the Spirit, not man. But what I'm getting at is that the experience, that it's something natural, but yet, spiritual, that feeling is the same.

Sorry for not answering your questions Buddy2, I just don't have the answers you are looking for.

God bless you all
Much love
teraside

 

[Word of Life]

Thanks for your explanation teraside, for Joh 3:8

Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (KJV)

but I clearly, clearly remember having this sensation as a child of about 6 or 7 years old. I heard the wind, while no wind was blowing and I didn't know where it was going! I felt a feeling like I have never felt before. I know it sounds funny, but why would I remember that day, that experience if it didn't mean something?

Can't say I have experienced this, like you have described above. I did have a think about it, but can't recall anything like that.

Now, after reading that scripture again, this is how I see it now, the wind bloweth and we hear the sound of the wind, but we don't know where it comes from or where it goes?

Right now since I have been born in spirit, I can only say that I don't know where I am going, nor where I come from. (bit like the wind) In fact I feel lost in this world really, I don't feel part of it anymore.

Does anyone else feel the same?

Sorry Buddy for hi-jacking your thread onto another topic.

 

[Faithful Son]

Well, Word of Life, there could defintely be two meanings to that scripture, I tend to lean towards the literal, but we know our Lord, He spoke in parables. I have not been born of the Spirit, which I know of as a believer, except that experience which I mentioned above, which is in fact a literal confirmation of Jesus' words.

I like your explanation and I must say, yes!, I feel the same way you do, I don't know where I'm headed in life, but I hear God's voice, I know He's everywhere, I know He's here by my side, but I do know where I come from (we differ here), but I feel lost in the world too, to be honest, God, Jesus, Talk Jesus is my rock, my place to turn to for comfort, although I feel a bit lost.

God bless you Word of Life, thank you for this conversation.

 

[Buddy2]

Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (KJV)

Now, after reading that scripture again, this is how I see it now, the wind bloweth and we hear the sound of the wind, but we don't know where it comes from or where it goes?

Right now since I have been born in spirit, I can only say that I don't know where I am going, nor where I come from. (bit like the wind) In fact I feel lost in this world really, I don't feel part of it anymore.

Does anyone else feel the same?

Sorry Buddy for hi-jacking your thread onto another topic.

This is actually the same topic, so no hijacking here.
I used to know/hear God more distinctly than I have recently, I feel.
I have done or been involved in so many 'Good' things that after a while fell by the wayside. I now have an unsure attitude towards Godly activities. Other than my wife and I having daily Bible study. we're going through Psalms at the moment. And we're attending a church (for only the past 6 weeks or so) that I like but am suspicious of various 'building' projects. I just don't know if that is really the direction that God wishes His Church(us) to go. Seems like trying to keep up with the Jones' instead of just preaching in the street. Know what I mean? I just don't know what's right anymore.

 

[Word of Life]

Yes Buddy, I hear you. I feel the same, I have terrible times not judging these churches, I know its wrong coz that's Gods job and He has told me so. He is the judge and I am/was trying to be a little god. I am doing my best to stop it, but it aint easy.

I do agree with you that its all about competition, who has the best/biggest/largest crowd sitting in the church type of thing. Now for example, I have only started recently gone back to church, I don't feel comfortable with going, but I am sticking it out for a while, asking God if its okay, or maybe He will lead me to another one. But this church can hold 2,000 people 3 services are done on a Sunday and various other activities are held during the week. Now when I go to the 10am service this place is not full to capacity, I would say it's 80% full. Well guess what, the pastor said he had a vision from God, (which I can't dispute about, coz I don't know), that God wants him to build a bigger church. Now this vision was to have 7 candlesticks on the top of the building of the church and is to seat 5,000 people. But I just can't see why you need to seat 5,000 when the church is never full to capacity, this to me is a big question mark? Also the pastor said people will see his church when all the candles have had there laser light installed or whatever you call them, will be able to see this from a distance of 60 kms away.

Personally, when I go to church, this is not my true worshipping time, this period of time when I am there is for my pleasure. My true worshipping time, is when I am alone with God, whether I am in the car driving, sitting in the bath/toilet or other places I am totally alone. Church in my eyes, is for us to be with other believers to strengthen each other. All I got when I went, well not all, coz he did say a wonderful prayer for me which really did help me, I went to see a pastor for counselling this last week, yes he helped me, but he did keep making a point about going to the centres Bible college. And I believe and will not budge from this one, the Holy Spirit will teach us,

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

God knows our hearts, He knows when we haven't picked something up and it still needs to be corrected. I have asked God to change me and discipline me completely, so I can be more like Jesus Christ. Its been a huge and painful battle. But for me to be the disciple for Jesus, I do need my whole character changed and submit to God totally. I can't go out there to witness and work for God with this worldly character, I have at the moment, coz I certainly won't be doing what God requires me to do.

I think this scripture may answer your question more about the churches

Mar 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

Anyhow got to go now, God bless you

 

[TheAJKMan]

Regarding the above, I just don't see enough of Christians going out there making disciples of people. Sorry I just don't see it, spoke about this at my cell group this week too, most Christians seem to be ashamed of God and this is sad.

Now this scripture always comes too me several times too and what concerns me, I don't see Christians selling all and taking up the cross for Jesus.

Agree with the first part as I know I was never properly discipled. Too much of the modern church relies on programs/books etc to "disciple" folk. Whereas the bible teaches a very differnt way to that. Folk in that day and age knew what it meant to be a disciple because there were many "mystery" religions around at the time, all of whom had "disciples" and an obvious discipling method. Very few of us in the church come alongside a new believer and teach them the fundementals of the faith and let them see CHrist at work and in action in and through us. Therein lies many a woe of the modern church.

TheAJKMan