Pastor's Blog

Jesus is the risen king and has defeated sin, death, and Satan. He, therefore, has authority over all heaven and earth. He follows this declaration with a command, Matthew 28:19, “therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”

The way this command begins has been used to make people think of overseas mission work. After all, it is the missionary who “goes.” But the word does not mean leave where you are and go somewhere else, it actually means as you are going. Not just as the missionary goes, but as every follower of Jesus lives.

Jesus has the authority and we are to make disciples as we go about our life: When we go to the grocery store. When we go to school. When we go to work. When we go for a walk around the neighborhood. When we do anything we are to be doing it to make disciples of Jesus. Disciple-making is not a job or a program. Disciple-making is a lifestyle.

The second imperative is just as important, “make.” Disciples do not just pop up out of the ground or fall from the sky. They are made. This requires current disciples to be intentional and bold. As Paul says in Romans 10:13-14, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

Every disciple is made beginning with someone saying something. Now I understand, as Paul did, that this idea of preaching is frightening. But preaching does not have to be done from a platform or on a street corner. Preaching is simply telling other people how great Jesus is, and we can all do that.

Here is where I would start if I were you. First, start praying for opportunities. Ask God to open doors for you to talk to people who are close to you but far from God. He will do it. Second, don’t start with a sermon instead look for opportunities to pray for people. If you are talking with your neighbor and you notice the woman is pregnant, ask if you can pray for the pregnancy and the baby. If your friend or neighbor talks about how they are concerned about Covid-19, ask if you can pray for them. And pray with them right there. It is extremely rare that even non-believers turn down prayer. Let's be bold and pray with our loved ones. It all begins with prayer.

In Christ,
Pastor Michael Covey
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:15