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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.”

Matthew 28:18-20

Devotional

Just before Jesus leaves his disciples to ascend into heaven to be with His Father, He declares a very specific commission to His followers. Jesus tells them to “go and make disciples of all nations.” He commands them to baptize those who repent of their sins and receive him as Lord and Savior. He exhorts them to teach the new Christians what he had passed on to them through discipleship, and He affirms that they will never be alone in this task because he will be with them always.

The timing of this command from Jesus should be noticed. It is only weeks before His departure from earth and his ascension into heaven. He leaves his disciples to be seated at the right hand of His Heavenly Father. His message is clear. His directive is specific. The disciples were not confused. They knew their mission was to go and share their own stories of how Christ changed them through his crucifixion and resurrection. He did not ask them if they thought it was a good idea. He simply instructed them to do so. They did. The world would forever be changed.

Christ has given his people at Hillside Christian Church a specific mission, a definite story to tell, and a purpose to live out. This Great Commission is worthy of our deepest commitment individually and collectively as a church family. Let’s go and tell. May we obey the Lord. Never discount your story. To the glory of Christ!

⁷He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:7-8

Reflect

• Have you ever shared the Gospel’s impact on your life with another person who wasn’t a believer in Christ?
• Who in your life do you think Jesus would want you to pray about sharing your story with?

Pray

• Pray for yourself and for one other person that you know at Hillside, that you both would have the courage to invite someone to church, and pray for an open door for both of you to share your stories with them.

Corporate Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us a specific task and mission that has the power to change somebody’s life forever. Please grant our church family at Hillside the courage and boldness to engage our communities with love, grace, and power through your guidance and leadership in our lives. We ask you to open doors that we have no power or control over. We ask that you impress on each of us in this church family a name or several names of people that you want us to invite to church. May You create opportunities for us to have life-changing encounters with those that we love. Compel us to tell our stories of how you changed us forever through the cross. We ask this for every member and regular attendee at Hillside Christian Church.
In Jesus Name, Amen.