a 365 day trip through Matthew with a key thought, prayer, focus verse and contextual verses for each day
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God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.People who believe in God's Son are not judged guilty. Those who do not believe have already been judged guilty, because they have not believed in God's one and only Son.(NCV)
John 3:16-18
When the apostles were all together, they asked Jesus, "Lord, are you now going to give the kingdom back to Israel?"Jesus said to them, "The Father is the only One who has the authority to decide dates and times. These things are not for you to know. 8 But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses -- in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world."(NCV)
Acts 1:6-8
"Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)
Acts 28:28-30 |
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December 31
One Last Word - 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.” Full Text
Key Thought
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That last hug.That last kiss.That last look.That last wave.Each of them is very important when you are leaving someone you love, especially if it could be the last time you see them for awhile.But the last word, that one last word, is precious.You try to make it pleasant... you try to make it memorable... you try to make it affectionate... but most of all, you want your one last word to count!
The Great Commission is Jesus' last earthly word to his disciples.While he still leads and guides, this is the message he wants us to remember as his parting command.This is the message that he stresses so clearly is based upon his authority over everyone and everything and everywhere.What is that message?MAKE DISCIPLES!
Notice Jesus doesn't want us running all over the place telling about him without a purpose.Notice he doesn't want us baptizing everyone we see.Notice he doesn't just want us to teach others to follow him.He wants us to do all three!Go, baptize, and teach to obey so they will be my disciples!If we heed these marching orders, if we get out of the shadow of our church buildings and culture, he will go with us!That's it.That's Jesus one last word.It's also our first word!
Today's Prayer
Almighty God, I know you sent Jesus so the world could be saved.I know that means more than just them hearing about Jesus.I know you want people to be true followers, to be disciples.So forgive us, Father, for the times we have procrastinated because we worried the job was too big, too hard, too expensive, and too personally demanding.We will try, I will try, to be more excited and generous with sharing the Gospel with others in this coming year.I know as I do, Jesus will go with me.So may this next year be to your glory and to Jesus' honor and praise!In the mighty name of Jesus I pray.Amen.
Today's Verses with Jesus (key verses in bold)
16 The eleven followers went to Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 On the mountain they saw Jesus and worshiped him, but some of them did not believe it was really Jesus.
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18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. 19 So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.”
(NCV) The New Century Version, (Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing) 1987, 1988, 1991. Used by permission.
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