Matthew 28:19-20
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 you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Christians run about doing this and that. We fill our schedule up with so many things: concerts, events, performances, rallies, parties, camps, outings, and the list go on. Before you point your finger at me and accuse me, I want to get this right; I am not saying all these are bad and no good yea. It is good and I am encouraging that you attend these events. Don’t stop here yet, this is not the ending of this post, read on.

It is really sad to see Christians not doing what they are all called to do. Yes, we are called to pray, to read the Bible, to evangelize, but we lack the understanding of one main call – the call to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)

The Great Commission was the last words of Jesus before he was taken up to heaven. It is found in the ending of the Gospel and was clearly shown in the four Gospels of the Bible. I am going to make this as simple as possible:

The Great Commission has four mandatory commands:
1. Go
2. Make
3. Baptize
4. Teach

Four simple mandates but yet Christians so frequently overlook them. I have more to share with you about the Great Commission; God willingly I will share with you more as I continue to blog and as I continue to learn more about this verse. But for this post, I am going to bring your attention to one main theme in the Great Commission – Discipleship.

Jesus had thousands of crowd following him wherever he went. The crowds came and left but only the disciples whom Jesus chose stayed with him all the time. For three whole years, Jesus spent most of his time with his twelve disciples. He ate with them, he taught them, he walked with them, he slept with them, and he traveled with them and did everything with them. They were a part of Jesus’ life during his three years ministry. Everything that he had known from the Father he taught his disciples (John 15:13-16) and he called them his friends.

Jesus set an example for the Great Commission. Jesus went (go) and chose twelve me. Then he made them his disciples (make). After that he made them as a part of his family (baptize) for the next three years. And Jesus preached to them and taught (teach) them about the kingdom of God.

This next section is a very critical section. You have to really get it. Many do not, but those who do, think about it. Please read carefully:

This is your Christian Goal. This is every Christians’ Goal:
There is only one goal in life. That is to build ourselves up to the maximum that God has intended for us and to reach others to help them achieve the very same goal.

This is the one thing you will do for the rest of your lives. That is what Jesus while he was on earth. All other things are of second importance and extras.
Your paper qualifications, your job, your pay, your financial wealth, your cars, your houses, your positions – all these are extras.

Do what you can to gain the extras but be very careful not to be too obsessed in getting the extras. These extras, for example your position as a general manager in the office, is to allow you to have a bigger influence. As a general manager, you can reach out to people of high positions that you can’t reach out to if you are just a normal office clerk. As an established musician you are able to reach out to other musicians that a ballet dancer can’t reach out to.

Remember to focus your hearts and minds on this one thing – the Great Commission. And always keep in mind that all the others are just extras to help you. Do not get too into the extras that you forget the Great Commission.
You will not be able to bring fame to heaven, you will not be able to bring your Mercedes cars to heaven, and neither will you be able to bring your bungalow nor your guitars or drums. Only two things you will be able to bring to heaven, you and the people that you have successfully reached out to.

Remember:
There is only one goal in life. That is to build ourselves up to the maximum that God has intended for us and to reach others to help them achieve the very same goal.

All the rest are extras and they don’t matter much to God.

Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the Gospel of God’s grace.

Building myself and reaching out to others,
Zlwin Chew