What would Jesus Say?

March, 2006

by: Tim Carnes

Have you ever wondered what Jesus would say to Calvary Bible Church if we were included in the list of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3? Would we be commended or rebuked? Would we be encouraged or exhorted? Since the writing of Scripture ended with John’s prophecy in the late 90’s A. D. there will be no Revelation II with our church’s name in it. But, it is something I often ask myself. What would Jesus say? Would He be pleased with how we are doing as a church or disappointed?

I would never presume to know what He is thinking or what He would say, but He did make it clear to the leaders of the very first church what His purpose for His church was to be. His Great Commission to the Peter, James, John and the other eight disciples was clear:

“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 lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

There it is. In two words (one if you’re looking at the original Greek), Christ summarized the mission of the church. We are to make disciples. “Go therefore” carries the idea of as we are going. That is, in the course of life we are to be constantly about the task of making disciples. But, what does it mean to “make disciples”? Christ gives the answer by saying we are to be “baptizing” and “teaching.” Making disciples means bringing people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (their faith being demonstrated in water baptism) AND helping them to be more like Christ (by teaching them all He has commanded from His Word).

How was this mission to be accomplished? Were the disciples to scatter around the face of the globe proclaiming the Gospel and then having Bible studies in every town and city? This would have been an impossible mission for these eleven men to carry out. Acts 2 reveals God’s amazing plan to accomplish the task – the birth of the church. The Holy Spirit used Peter’s first sermon to bring thousands to Christ. As people were saved they gathered together. “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:41-42). The Great Commission was happening. The Gospel was going forth, people were being saved, and the believers were coming together to help one another grow in their relationship with Christ. Just listen to the impact that the first church was having on its community:

“Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:43-47).

Wow! Wouldn’t you like to be a part of something like that? I sure would. Wouldn’t it be incredible if our church was described like that first church in Acts 2? Well, that Commission has been passed down through the ages, landing at the doorstep of Calvary Bible Church. How are we doing? How are you doing? Is your mission the same as Christ’s command? Are you involved in purpose of the church to make disciples? Do you see every interaction with the lost as an opportunity? When you gather with fellow believers, whether here on Sundays or in your home with another family or at lunch one-on-one, is your mindset to help your brother or sister in Christ become more like Him? As Jesus looks at your life, what would He say?