Go! (neighborhood Watch)

by Pastor John Mateos Ong

This series shows us that God looks at everybody equally. Every one is precious in His eyes. Ebeven the person you hate - that you wish would attend a different church. God loves them. Even your enemies. God loves them. We have a need far greater than our physical, intellectual and emotiona needs.

Before Jesus went back to heaven, He entrusted something to His disciples. This is the Great Commission. The book of Acts tells of everything the apostles did after Jesus died

Matthew 28:16-20 says, “Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, “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.”” It is good to help people physically, socially and emotionally. But there is a greater need for we are not only flesh and blood. Primarily, we are spirit. So why do you worry too much about your physical health if your spirit is ignored? But in this world, when you have a problem, what would you ratehr have? Financial help or the gospel of Jesus? If a person tells you that they will pray for you, will that help? Others might even think, “What will I do with that prayer? That cannot buy food.” But in verse 20, when Jesus gave the commmand to go and make disciples, He told them not to worry because He has full eternity. He will be with you and will never leave you.

Andy Stanley wrote a book entitled “Deep & Wide.” Wide is the going and making disciples. Go is the wide. Go and share the gospel and evangelize. Wide is the making of disciples. Whenever you share the gospel, you risk not being liked by some people. But it is in sharing the gospel were you can show what is important, which is the Lord and not the opinioon of others. Whenever we share the gospel, we risk our relationships with other people. The bible says the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Be a worker. Go deep and wide.

Romans 1:8 says, “Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world.” The hope of a discipler is to see his discple leading others too someday and building a church. During this time, Paul was far away from Rome but just hearing about the good things happening in the church brings him great joy.

When asked what the greatest commandment is, Matthew 22:36-40 says, ““Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”” The most important among all the commandments are to love the Lord and to love others. Everything else hangs onto those two. You don’t have to memorize the 10. If you can love God and others, everything else is encompassing.

Terry Barbers once said, “If our greatest need had ben information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness of sins. So God sent us a Savior.” As we become good neighbors to others, let us think of their greatest need always. They will not admit it but as believers, we can see it. Man’s greatetst need is a savior. If you have helped someone in all aspects but have failed to introduce Jesus to them, then you have failed. Because one day, all that help will be lost and fade. But if you introduce Jesus to them, that’s it. You can already move on to help other people. Matthew 8:36 says, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

What is the greatest need of someone who has not eaten, has stage 4 cancer, or a billionnaire who alrady has everything? Jesus. Everyone needs Jesus no matter what.

Love God. Love others. Follow the great commission because it is our purpose in life. The reason that God has not taken you yet is because you have been diligent in keeping yourself healthy or because you are still young but because you still have a purpose.

1. Going is a natural result of faith. Mark 1:43-45 says, “Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.” Matthew 9:30-31 says, “Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region.”  People who see and experience Christ cannot help but talk.

2. Discipleship is a command. The great commission is not a request and is not optional. Whan Jesus asked us to make disciples, it us actually a mandate. Baptism is not a requirement for salvation. But if you profess you faith in Christ, why won’t you declare it outwardly? Discipleship is also teaching them to obey all that Jesus has commanded. But before you obey, you have to know. Read the word of God. Discipleship is a command and a journey. Believe in Jesus, belong to a small group, become better in Christ, ad buil your own church. Discipleship guides you in the journey.

3. Going and making disciples should be a lifestyle. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age,” says   Christ will never leave you. Why do you leave Him? Matthew 13:49 says, “This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous.” Jesus has given you authority and He will be with you until He comes again. It says in Revelation that you are going to receive a crown. That crown comes with authority and honor.

4. Disicpleship is not a program. Galatians 4:19 says, “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.” Discipleship will entail progams but that is not an end all and be all. Discipleship is life on life.

Discipleship is a ourney to Christlikeness. That is the goal. It is only for a season; not for a lifetime. Praise God for the time you spent together. Discipleship is based on love. Your disciples have to know that you love them. Discipleship is also filled with grace. Some disciples are hard-headed. Just like how children are to their parens, be ready to accept your disciples as they are. Do not forget that you need to go and make disciples.