|
Genesis 1:28
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
This is the first commandment God gave to mankind. God wanted to see the whole world filled with his people. Hence in the earlier days that was the main focus for God to see his physical children to fill the earth. Of course, it has been fulfilled now. We have around 600 crores of people around the world. Now God wants us to fill this earth with his spiritual children through Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
As disciples God has given us this charge to fill this earth with true disciples. To accomplish it we need to stay strong in two important aspects of life. 1. Personal Growth 2. Personal Outreach
1. Personal Growth
As disciples God expects us to grow. How do we feel about your Christian life? Do we feel we have grown? As a disciple growth is not an option every Christian is expected to grow and bear fruit. What are the areas we must grow in?
2 Peter 1:5-11
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,
11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
How are we doing, are we growing in these characters or are we diminishing in our spiritual lives. There is no other greater joy than seeing us change and grow. God is not pleased with those who shrink back.
Hebrews 10:38
But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2. Personal Outreach
It was incredible to see the victories, which God has given us since the Church planted. But its not over yet we must fulfill God's vision for us. As a kingdom we have grown in number but yet we are still a drop in an ocean. God has called and chosen with a purpose for this world. God wanted to fulfill His promises through us. If we don't do it we will be replaced. In which way are we reaching out to the lostness around us?
(i) In our jobs / studies are we reflecting Christs love?
(ii) Are we impacting people living around us?
(iii) Will our children accept Jesus as Lord seeing our faith and life?
(iv) How much faith we have that God can use us as a powerful instrument?
God wanted us to be the salt of the earth and light of world.
Matthew 5:13-16
13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
|
