Commit to the Commission: God Gifts Us – Part 2

Scripture Reading:  Ephesians 4:12-16

Key Verse:  Ephesians 4:11

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers

Our scripture for yesterday and today lays out God’s plan for His church.  Each believer is gifted by God to contribute to the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.  All gifts were given because all are needed; all are important and valued by God.

Evangelism focuses on the first steps of accepting Jesus into a person’s life.  All believers must pray and have a real burden for this first step.  All of us want to take any opportunity to contribute to this first step.  However, after the first step, there must be follow up and shepherding of the new believers.  The goal is spelled out in Ephesians 4:14, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the weaves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”

Committing to the commission means that we are committed to the full development of God’s Word.  The commission was to go into the world and make disciples.  We must never be too focused on one aspect of the disciple making process.  Making disciples will take an evangelist, but it will take many other believers and their gifts to grow them up into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Father, I am committed to your plan to win the world over to the Good News of the Gospel.  Continue to show me how I can contribute to that plan.  I ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.