We Are on a Mission: Equip

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Matthew 28:18 - 20: And Jesus came and said to the them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am will you always, to the end of the age."

What do you think of when you ponder on the word, "Equip?" If you would like, please comment what you think "Equip" means.

I am taking the aspect of, "get ready for something." For example, if you're going on a trip, what do you need to do to get ready for it? If you're taking a test, what do you need to get ready for it?

The Christian Church is on a mission from God. In our verses today, we have been given both our mission and the means to equip to Church for her mission.

Our mission is, "make disciples of all nations." Wherever we go, in whatever situation we find ourselves in, we have but one mission. Jesus commands us to make disciples of everybody. That is a monumental mission. Jesus wants everyone to be saved and come to believe in Him as their salvation and life. And how are we equipped for this calling?

We have Holy Baptism. It is a gift from God uses that ties us to Jesus. We are baptized into Jesus' death and resurrection. We are washed clean from sin. We are linked to the forgiveness and life that Jesus gave when He died on the cross and rose to new life. We give this gift as part of making disciples.

We also have everything in hand that Jesus commanded for us to keep and follow and put into practice. We have the Bible, God's inspired and inerrant Word. With God's Word we are equipped to go forward. And God's Word is more than "an instruction manual." It is the means by which my life is changed. My life was changed by the power of the Holy Spirit who works through God's Word. God equips me with the realization that I am a sinner and that I am incapable of doing all Jesus commands. I also believe that I am a saved man through what Jesus did. I realize that God's grace is poured out to me through the Word. I know about Jesus by means of the Word. I am equipped to be a disciple. My mission, along with the entire Church, is to make disciples of all people. Dear Holy Spirit, continue to equip us through Your Word so that we move forward in mission, Amen.