Why are we here

This week’s memory verse actually puts an exclamation point on this week’s study. From Matthew 28:18-20. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Pay close attention to this idea. It is instructive that, as part of His last words to His followers, Jesus didn’t say: • Love one another. • Do not judge lest you be judged. • Follow me. • Lay up your treasures in Heaven • Do not commit adultery. • Sell all your possessions and give to the poor. . . . or any of a thousand things He could have emphasized from the things He had been teaching. What did he say and why? Recognizing that God had fulfilled the law, and that He had now provided everything necessary for His followers to live in a healthy family relationship with God as the father and provider, Jesus with all authority is telling us that there is only one thing left that should concern us. “Let others know that what God has provided for you is available for them, too.” “As you now are able to live in peace, in rest, in love, in grace, with every one of your needs guaranteed to be provided by the Creator, let others know that they, too, no longer need to live lives of stress, of striving, of fear, desperation, overwork or burnout.” Pretty simple. As the ultimate authority about what things are, what they mean, and what makes life work, Jesus tells us to help others live immersed (baptized) surrounded by encompassed in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to pay attention and believe (observe) all that I commanded you (including but not limited to “seek primarily the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and let Him take care of all the things you need on earth.” Matthew 6:33) Giving some context, Jesus is saying, “While you’re out enjoying and resting and rejoicing in your new live created by God and for God, (as you go) show the people you encounter from all over how they might be equally at peace.” (Make disciples of all the nations.) You should read this a couple more times before moving on. So what’s our problem? Simply this. We made the gospel and discipleship about religion. And we’re focused on survival. Centuries removed from Jesus’s simple and profound teaching, we’ve covered the gospel by layers and layers of religion, doctrine, rules, manuals, buildings, seminaries, laity and clergy, programs, missions, dos and don’ts, rights and wrongs; the pure simplicity and impact of God’s gospel in Jesus Christ, been hidden from the majority of Christians and replaced by work. To add insult to injury, we don’t even remember that God has taken care of everything for us already. He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Rom 8:32) It makes no sense that the Creator of the universe would willingly give us what is most precious and valuable to Himself, as the total provision for our eternal life, and an unimaginable eternal reward in His presence in heaven and then leave us alone with our inadequate resources to flounder and fend for ourselves on earth. It makes no sense that God would do so much to take care of everything only to leave us here and expect us to focus on irrelevant details or crumbs as if they were the main things. But this is exactly what we do. We give the vast majority of our time, of our money, of our effort, of our thoughts and focus, even our care and concern to that which God, as Father, has the responsibility and the ability to provide. We take God’s work as our own. When things don’t work as we think they should, we work harder, stress out, and become worried and anxious. As a result, we are too busy and distracted to disciple. We’re mostly too busy, or so it appears. And even when we do, we don’t usually provide a convincing example of how well God has made our lives work, demonstrated by our rest, our joy, and our peace. Instead, we make following Him a chore. Religion. Another burden. We make discipleship about disciplines, doctrines, behavioral requirements, and other burdens we cannot keep delivered through a stress filled life that misses almost all of the rest, joy and peace that is central to the discipleship message. Want some very good news? This is all going to change for you. Over the next 5 weeks, we will examine how it is that we can actually live lives filled with joy, certainty, peace, and rest. We’ll think about and talk about God’s Glorious Salvation. Over the next few weeks, you’ll have the opportunity to learn exactly what God did to bring you life, why He did it, what He intended by it and what that could mean to you. Please try to listen without “religious ears.” Try to understand words like “redemption, salvation, reconciliation, and grace” without “religious” baggage. Look them up in a dictionary. Illustrate them with physical concepts. Strive to be able to communicate them in concrete terms, terms that make sense to you. Belief = Absolute Certainty A belief is not something you know, as in something you ascent to; a belief is something about which you are absolutely certain. A belief “feels true.” Over this year, challenge yourself in these terms. As you read the scriptures and answer the questions, ask yourself, “Am I absolutely certain that this is true?” “How would I be, how would I feel, how would I act, if I was absolutely certain about what I’m reading, thinking and saying.” “Does this feel true?” If you’re not sure, pray. Ask God to reveal what He wants you to know. Then listen. I promise this: The degree to which you will walk in the provision, and peace, and rest of God, is directly proportional to the degree to which you are absolutely certain about what He reveals in His word. These next 5 lessons can change your life. Make the most of them. Committed to demonstrate Jesus.