churchUNIQUE – The Great Commission
by Pastor Bryan
We shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that churches are unique. Uniqueness permeates every part of creation. No two stars are alike. Every planet has its own features. This planet that we call home is full of variety with all of its creatures and features. And humanity itself is the greatest example of uniqueness in that no two people are alike right down to the tips of their fingers and a unique print.
When we look at nature we find uniqueness!
When we look at God’s children we find unique is the only norm!
Why would we expect anything different from his church?
Have you ever noticed that there are 7 letters to 7 churches in the book of Revelation? Why didn’t God just address all seven churches at the same time? The reason: Each church had its own strengths and weaknesses.
The same thing is true of our church. Our church is “one of kind” and I mean that in a good way. God has placed us where we are and given us unique strengths, gifts and abilities to serve him here.
He has also given us our marching orders. These are found in 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.”
So why would we want to make disciples?
The answer is found in verse 18 when Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.”
God has given Jesus universal and unlimited authority and for this reason we are to make disciples. We aren’t supposed to promote Jesus to others because of our need or even because of human need but because of Jesus’ unique worthiness. Whenever we promote Jesus to others it is because we acknowledge that in essence everyone belongs to God anyway.
It’s only because Jesus is worthy of honor that we ever want to make disciples. It’s only because of what he has done for each one of us that we would even consider promoting him to others.
This is essentially what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5: 14-15, 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.