Going Forth and Making Disciples Commissioning
The Lord has made it clear to us that we need to be much more deliberate about reaching our own Jerusalem...Chatham, Illinois, and the surrounding communities. Since December 29 we have gone back and studied the foundational purpose of our existence as Chatham Baptist Church and prayed, seeking the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Our prayer has been that we would go forth and make disciples with all confidence and no one forbidding us.
We learned that the Church’s greatest power, apart from the Holy Spirit, is prayer. We confronted the Church’s greatest sin, not trusting God. We embraced the Church’s greatest need, humble obedience before God. We have prayed the Church’s greatest prayer, laborers for the harvest.
We established that the laborers greatest tool is a relationship with Jesus Christ. We were reminded that the laborers greatest method of harvesting is a relationship with others. We affirmed that the laborers greatest purpose is a person being led to Christ.
We were challenged to respond more obediently to Christ’s call. Last Sunday the Lord led us through Randy Johnson’s challenge to make a specific commitment to Going Forth and Making Disciples. God’s Spirit led Blake Gilbert and Christopher Jordan be obedient to Christ’s call. Over 60 of you responded obediently to the call of Christ in Going Forth and Making Disciples.
We have come today to implement the commitment we have made by commissioning those who have heard a clear call from Christ to specific ministries in Going Forth and Making Disciples. We will have each of you come to the altar in a little while and we will lay hands on you and on one another and pray.
For the next few moments, however, I want to give you some instruction regarding what to pray.
I. Pray That The Lord Will Empower Each Laborer.
Norman Cates shared the humorous story of a guy who prayed this prayer every morning: "Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat next to him. The bus was nearly empty but this guy sat next to our praying friend. The timid Christian anxiously waited for his stop so he could exit the bus. But before he could get very nervous about the man next to him, the big guy burst into tears and began to weep. He then cried out with a loud voice, "I need to be saved. I’m a lost sinner and I need the Lord. Won’t somebody tell me how to be saved?" He turned to the Christian and pleaded, "Can you show me how to be saved?" The believer immediately bowed his head and prayed, "Lord, is this a sign?" Are you looking for a "sign" to start witnessing?
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Acts 4:23-31 (NKJV)
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.'
27 "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together
28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
God has not called us to do something impossible. Nor has He called us to something in our own power. We are not called of God to use persuasive words, masterful manipulation, overbearing browbeating, or any other human method to reach the lost. He said that when the Holy Spirit has come upon us, we SHALL be witnesses. Our ability is found in our faith and trust in Him as He performs His saving work utilizing our faithful and obedient witness. He prepares the field using us as His laborers so that He can reap the harvest.
II. Pray That The Lord Will Expand Each Laborer’s Influence.
Acts 6:7 (NKJV)
7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
As we are obedient to the Lord, our prayer should be that God would expand our influence by expanding our connections to people. Let us never be satisfied by seeing the few come to Christ. Ask the Lord to broaden our vision that more and more may come to Christ.
Many years ago in St. Louis, a lawyer visited a Christian to transact some business. Before the two parted, his client said to him, "I've often wanted to ask you a question, but I've been afraid to do so." "What do you want to know?" asked the lawyer. The man replied, "I've wondered why you're not a Christian." The man hung his head, "I know enough about the Bible to realize that it says no drunkard can enter the kingdom of God; and you know my weakness!" "You're avoiding my questions," continued the believer. "Well, truthfully, I can't recall anyone ever explaining how to become a Christian." Picking up a Bible, the client read some passages showing that all are under condemnation, but that Christ came to save the lost by dying on the cross for their sins. "By receiving Him as your Substitute and Redeemer," he said, "you can be forgiven. If you're willing to receive Jesus, let's pray together." The lawyer agreed, and when it was his turn he exclaimed, "O Jesus, I am a slave to drink. One of your servants has shown me how to be saved. O God, forgive my sins and help me overcome the power of this terrible habit in my life." Right there he was converted.
That lawyer was C.I. Scofield, who later edited the reference Bible that bears his name.
III. Pray That The Lord Will Convict Those In The Harvest.
John 6:44 (NKJV)
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 16:8 (NKJV)
8 And when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Charles Haddon Spurgeon said “A sinner can no more repent and believe without the Holy Spirit’s aid than he can create a world.”
This is the Lord’s task and only the Lord can do it correctly and effectively. Pray before you go, pray while you go, pray after you go.
IV. Pray That The Lord Will Protect the Integrity of His Laborers.
Matthew 10:16 (NKJV)
16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Romans 13:12-14 (NKJV)
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NKJV)
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Charles Stanley said, “The time you spend alone with God will transform your character and increase your devotion. Then your integrity and godly behavior in an unbelieving world will make others long to know the Lord.”
Before the Lord, before believers, and before the world, our integrity must be protected. The enemy cannot remove or destroy our salvation, but he can remove and destroy our integrity, thus rendering our labor ineffective. Hold one another up in prayer and ask the Lord to protect our integrity and our unity.
V. Pray That The Harvest Will Reproduce.
John 17:20-21 (NKJV)
20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Acts 18:24-28 (NKJV)
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:8 (NKJV)
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out.
While our prayer should be that people come to Christ, our greatest prayer should be that those coming to Christ will mature and share their faith with others.
My Great-great- grandfather and grandmother, William Alan and Amanda Bost, had a large family. That family now exceeds over 3000 people...not because William Bost fathered them, but because most of them grew up and had families of their own.
The commitment Chatham Baptist Church to fulfill the Great Commission cannot be temporary. It must be on-going and it must have as it’s goal to be perpetual.
Father, let it be said that Chatham Baptist Church was faithful to go forth and make disciples and that those disciples went forth and made disciples and that those disciples went forth and made disciples until You stood up and said, “It is done!” and our Lord descended.
Before we commission these laborers this morning, let me ask if there are any others who will make a commitment this morning. Maybe you weren’t here last Sunday and have a commitment card to lay on the altar. It may be that you were not sure about such a commitment last Sunday and now you are and you have a commitment to make. Then again, you may be like Blake and Christopher and realize you need to yield to Christ’s call to repent of your sin, seek His grace and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. You may hear Christ calling you to be obedient in becoming a member of Chatham Baptist Church. Will you now respond to Him?
Going Forth and Making Disciples Commissioning
This morning, we commission those whom God has called to go forth and make disciples. Will each of you now come forward to the altar as we commission you to go forth.
PASTOR MILTON: The Bible declares that God has commissioned every Christian to make disciples of all nations. Our Lord instructed us to pray for laborers to go out into the harvest. We present these laborers before you, O God, as those who have responded to Your call and are dedicating themselves now to help fulfill Your commission.
LABORERS: We commit ourselves to your service, Lord, in response to Your call on our lives.
CHATHAM BAPTIST STAFF: We, the Staff of Chatham Baptist Church, commit ourselves to equip, strengthen and encourage these laborers in fulfilling the Great Commission and Acts 1:8 for the glory of Jesus Christ and the spreading of His gospel. We will pray for the Holy Spirit’s continued in-filling and empowering as we serve together in this holy work.
CONGREGATION: We as the congregation of Chatham Baptist Church, committed to God’s mission in our own community and throughout the world, pledge ourselves to pray for each of these laborers as they serve.
We will join together in supporting you as you obey the commission of God. We will pray that God will expand your ministry and your number.
LABORERS: We acknowledge that we can do nothing without the strength of God, and we pledge ourselves to following His will and commands as we go forth and make disciples.
STAFF AND CONGREGATION: May the grace, peace, and wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you as you serve.
LABORERS: Use us, O God, for Your service.
ALL: God our Father, as disciples of Jesus, we accept our commission from you to invest our lives in others. Give these laborers in your harvest the power, wisdom and courage to boldly live the Kingdom life in all the places of your choosing.
May Jesus be seen in their lives and may they always and everywhere model the life of Christ with authenticity and great zeal. Give them eyes to see the path of service you desire for them and ears to hear the cry of the world’s needs that you have equipped them to meet.
Father, as your Son modeled for us what it means to be a servant by washing the feet of the disciples, may they exhibit a servant attitude in all they do. May you be their Lord, light, and guardian in the work you call them to. Grant them perseverance when tired, that they would not grow weary in doing well.
We commission them into your service, in Jesus’ name. Amen
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