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Message from the Director
"If this is the work Christ has given us to do, in order to bring God glory, why are there so few involved in it?"
As Christians, we were created to bring glory to God (Isa. 43:7). Jesus shares with us one way we can do this. It is by completing the work which God has given us to do. Jesus brought glory to God by completing the work which God gave Him (Jn. 17:4). What was this work that He gave Him? Jesus was referring to the work of making disciples(Jn. 17:1-19).Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and earth, has called His people to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Mat. 28:19 NIV)
The Lord's command involves three phases: Going to every nation - Evangelism baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - Conversion Teaching them to obey everything Christ has commanded us - Discipling The question can be asked, "If this is the work Christ has given us to do, in order to bring God glory, why are there so few involved in it?"
The answer to this question is found in the Gospel of Luke. The parable of the minas (Lk. 19:11- 27) . Notice that each servant was given a mina. Just so, each of us has been given an equal opportunity to invest our life in service to the Kingdom of God.
The command to share the gospel and to make disciples has been given to us. In the passage there were ten servants but only three are present when their master returns.
What happened to the other seven? We can only speculate. Perhaps they took the money and spent it on fruitless living. Perhaps they did not think they would ever have to give an account. We do not know. What we do know is that they did not even come into the presence of their lord. Let us look at the three that are mentioned in more detail.
The first servant made ten time the original amount. Knowing this, we know that he possessed the following character traits:
- He was hard working
- He was trustworthy
- He possessed wisdom
- He was aware of his accountability
- He wished to please his master
The second servant, made five times the original amount. Though this servant increased his allotted amount, he was not as hard working, or wise as the first man.
The third servant hid his allotment. The lord on his return called him a wicked servant. Yet the man's lord did not disown him! However it appears that this servant was lazy, foolish, unjustified in his fears not really seeking to please his lord.
If we look at the first servant in the context of the great commission, we could say that this is the servant who is:
Sharing his faith on a consistent basis making every effort to win souls (Prv. 11:30b) Is trustworthy in the things the Lord has given him to do. Demonstrates his love for God by diligently carrying out His commands.
In the case of the second servant, we can say that this is a servant who does not live up to the full potential he has in serving Christ. He shares his faith when it is convenient for him.
As for the third servant, it is obvious that he is a type far too common. He spent little or no time in the presence of the Lord. As a result of this lack of fellowship the servant totally misunderstands the character of God, seeing Him as harsh and unfair. Though this type of person is a believer, it is a relationship based on fear rather than love.
God desires to have disciples, servants, who will invest their lives in the work which He has given them to do. The Lord desires that His servants know His true nature. He desires that they will allow the Holy Spirit to work through them freely. God desires willing servants who have counted the cost and are willing to carry out His work in their lives.
-- George Baarschers, General Director