First Steps – July 16, 2018
What do you believe about baptism? Baptism is a commitment to mission. It does not make sense apart from the practice of evangelism, conversion to Jesus, initiation into the kingdom of God, and the life of discipleship. When Jesus gave the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), he used the word “Go.” It is in the present continuous tense that could be translated, “As you are going… .” It doesn’t mean exclusively going overseas on long or short-term mission projects. Nor does it mean staying to do the same kinds of projects with needy people at home. Rather, it implies that the business of making disciples is something that emerges organically as we go through everyday life and among the networks of relationships we make along the way.
This is what Jesus did. Wherever we might live, the mission field is on the doorstep of our everyday lives. For some of us, going where Jesus sends will mean leaving home and living with a doorstep that opens onto a very unfamiliar world. But for all of us, going where Jesus sends means crossing the threshold as ordinary missionaries into the world around us that needs to hear the gospel.
This week’s reading:
- Monday – 2 Corinthians 11
- Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 12
- Wednesday – 2 Corinthians 13
- Thursday – Matthew 1
- Friday – Matthew 2
Please Pray for:
- Our nation and our leaders.
- Those grieving the loss of loved ones.
- Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
- Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Construction of New Youth Building and rear parking.
