I have to do WHAT ??
sermon by Manfred Schreyer

We have talked a lot about eternal life for the past few weeks.

Jesus speaks about eternal life in the Gospel. He talks that we must believe in him. That he did not come to judge us, but to bring us eternal life. And He pleaded with us to come home to our God where we belong.

Just before He left to go back to His Father He left the disciples in the world as just just read to us.

He urges them to make disciples of all nations!

I find that interesting, because by any human standard all odds were against them. They lived in a country where many had misunderstood the will of God for them. A people that had experienced the works of God and the recent works of Jesus and who had asked for Jesus to be killed. . .and therefore denounced his claim to be the Son of God. They also were surrounded by countries and people who either worshiped so called "living gods" or gods of legends.

Now when Jesus spoke to his disciples He did not say to tell everyone about God, He told them specifically to make disciples of them. The KJV version translates this word matheteuo: with "teach." Either translation is fine, but it identifies what the disciples are instructed to do.

By any imagination, can you just for a second imagine how much faith it must have taken to take that action. In an age of no ads, commercials of any kind, no computers, where written documents are reserved for the privileged and where most people could not read or write these 12 people were instructed to teach the nations. . .NOT a nation.

Can you, just for a second imagine what must have gone through the disciples mind? Did they think: "Now, how are we to do that? How are we suppose to teach nations. . .? How are we suppose to go from door to door, from kingdom to kingdom, etc.? How do you want us to do that? And then how are we suppose to teach all of them on top of all of that? Jesus. . . .that seems so impossible."

When I talk to Christians about their effort of discipleship, they often say that they are not well equipped to spread the Gospel, that they are not good communicators, that they believe that their action should convince others of God, etc.

Well, if you have given your life to God, there should be no excuse that you are not well equipped. (a) become well equipped (b) seek a mentor (c) share the Gospel of salvation and then refer the person to a church that believes in the word of God.

If you are not a good communicator, forget this obstacle, there are numerous individuals who gave that argument to God and God chose them anyway. So. . .trust God that He will guide you in your conversation.

Your actions should convince others? Well anymore that is very hard, because in a pluralistic society, everything has become acceptable and your actions of kindness do not stand out anymore. Though that maybe a great paradox to us, but that is the way it is.

There was a time when others could see a difference in others, but decade by decade society has become ever more humanistic in their understanding and approaches. Many Christians have even bought into that concept of "understanding others where they are" and that truth and/or faith are relative. Out of that your actions become just that. . .actions. Very few people will ask for the motive of your actions, but rather follow their desire of receiving without gratitude but with expectation.

The fact is that good actions are done by those who do not believe in God. Will their actions also verify their understanding of their God or their atheist understanding?

Think for just a moment: Although actions are connected to one’s faith and are the fruits of one’s faith, never but never will actions alone save you from eternal damnation.

To be saved, one must ask for forgiveness and then believe in that Jesus Christ died for us on the Cross. . .for our sins and that He rose on the third day to return to our Father.

You see, none of the arguments or excuses of not being well equipped, of not being a good communicator, etc. count in the eyes of God.

What some of us really are saying is that we do not trust God that He will be with us in teaching others.

Allow me to go back to my original story. . .so here are Jesus’ disciples. I have no clue what was said after Jesus spoke, but the actions the disciples took speak louder then any words I can speak. They took the command and they just did it. And the word spread, from person to person, and God provided for them and great teachers became involved who worked tirelessly to spread the word.

We think that it is difficult for us to spread the Gospel? How about punishment of flocking, stoning, jail time, etc.

No, we do not have an excuse that we do not talk to others about the Gospel.

Finally, you may say. ..the people I am with are all Christians. I visited recently the local food bank and talked to Brenda Mason. She told me an amazing story: She mentioned that many of her "visitors" are in search of a place that could provide hope for them. Many of them have given up on hope.

Is it possible that those who say they are only in touch with Christians are at the wrong place? Is it possible that we could reach out to those who need the Gospel?

Are we looking at the wrong places?

All of the disciples looked at the right places. They went on and followed the commandment.. . .which was meant for them and for us.

Finally Jesus tells them that should teach all to obey God’s will and commandments. Why does He mention that? I must believe Jesus urges us to believe that life is not about accepting what everybody believes is right. In fact it is not the message of accepting everybody "where they are in their understanding of the will of our God" Jesus says: "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you"

And then Jesus says that he will be with us until the end of time, until the very end of age.

To know that gives me a feeling of security. It not only gives me hope, but it gives me eternal security so I can make it on my passage of life.