ODJ Friday August 29, 2008

the call

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Matthew 28:16-20:

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Do you prefer not to take phone calls? Do you cringe with every ring? There's a guy somewhere in New Zealand who wished he hadn't taken a call.

He answered it, only to hear a police officer telling him the house was surrounded and that he had no choice but to walk out his frond door with his hands held high. The man obeyed the authority and carefully followed his instructions. He stepped out the front door with arms held high to the sky.

But no one was there to greet him. No police. No nothing. The police officer had dialed the wrong number! The man waited a few moments, looked around (feeling a little silly), and then lowered his arms and walked back into his home.

Believers in Jesus have received a call that is not a wrong number. The command from the Supreme Authority tells us we're to go to people around the globe. There's no mistaking what Jesus called us to do (Matthew 28:19-20):

Go: Use your gifts, talents, and resources to reach out to people who don't know God's forgiveness.

Make: Come alongside people to help them become obedient, growing disciples.

Baptize: Encourage new believers to publicly proclaim their belief by being baptized.

Jesus is calling. You're wrapped up in a comfortable lifestyle with lots of things to do. The phone's ringing. You may be busy and have a task list a mile long. The phone's still ringing.

You've been called- commanded- to reach out and extend God's truth and love to the people of this world. Don't act as if Jesus dialed the wrong number.

- Tom Felten

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Isaiah 6:8:

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom Shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Isaiah 52:7:

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Acts 1:8:

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

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."

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What opportunities to tell others about Jesus have you had recently? With whom will you share your faith today?