matthew-28:19-20

To be successful in God's eyes, it is essential that a minister understands the goal that God has set before him. If he doesn't understand his goal, he has no way of gauging if he has succeeded or failed in reaching it.[1] He may think he has succeeded when he has actually failed. And that is a grea... Read More

Let's go back to Matthew 28:18-19. After declaring His supreme lordship, Jesus then gave a commandment: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you" (Matt. 28:19-20a). ... Read More

Before we move on, let's look once more at Matthew 28:19-20, the Great and General Commission that Jesus gave to His disciples, to see if we can glean any other truths from it. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spiri... Read More

The minister's goal of making disciples should shape everything he does in ministry. He should continually be asking himself, "How does what I'm doing contribute to the process of making disciples who will obey all of Jesus' commandments?" That simple test question, if asked honestly, would eliminat... Read More

Have I perhaps misinterpreted what Christ taught about money, possessions and stewardship? If I have, a study of what was taught and practiced by the apostles and early church would reveal my error. Did the apostles encourage their disciples to "believe God" for more material things so they could po... Read More

Imagine a person taking a block of wood and carving it to look like a bearded man in a robe. At the bottom of his wooden figurine, he carves the name "Jesus." Finally, each day he bows before it in worship. Does that make him a Christian? No, that makes him an idolater. He is worshipping something t... Read More

Provocative communicator Tony Campolo has been known to begin sermons with the following words: I have three things I want to tell you. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 children died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a sh**. Then, afte... Read More

Because today's chapter in Colossians is a little sparse in content compared to the previous chapter, I'd like to begin today by returning to something Paul wrote in chapter 3: Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns ... Read More

As I mentioned yesterday, it is generally better to simply be awed by the glorious scenes which John describes in the book of Revelation rather than attempt to comprehend everything that he mentions in those scenes. In today's reading, John witnessed what all believers can look forward to participat... Read More

Today's reading illustrates God's favor upon sincere seekers. He goes to great lengths to make sure they hear about Jesus. He still does today. Cornelius, a Roman army commander in charge of 100 men, was stationed in Caesarea, a strategic Roman port on the Mediterranean Sea. His sincere faith was ma... Read More