Heart for the House DevotionalSample

Day 6: The Scattering

Thought: Read. Think. Pray. Live.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

More than an organisation, the Church is a living organism. Yesterday, we reflected on the importance of the Church gathering. Today, we will consider why the Church also needs to “scatter”. The Church is not an insular organisation, keeping itself to itself. No. It is an outward facing, loving, inclusive people who are in love with Jesus and committed to sacrificial mission. The Church is called to go “out” into the world and make disciples of all nations. We each have a part to play, a sphere to reach, a people to love and a community to help. 

The historic objective of Jesus’ Church has always been the transformation of people and of society. Reaching individuals, yes, but also nations. Followers of Jesus are encouraged to be a missional presence wherever they go, asking the question “where is God working and how can I join in?”. The beauty of the gospel message is that we are filled with Christ’s spirit, empowering us to be a light and an ambassador in our own spheres of influence. Ed Silvoso writes that “Jesus’ objective was not to reproduce or expand religious institutions. It was to see nations discipled by inserting the leaven of His Kingdom into their social fibre though His Ekklesia.” The Church is a discipleship movement, and discipleship is the future of the Church.

The kicker is this. We are all called to make disciples of people and nations. This isn’t just a select calling for pastors or theologians. As Christians, we are all equipped to reach people. It’s a calling that confronts the idea of “consumer Christianity” where the Church is just a place where you come to be entertained or to have your needs met. Rather, we are all on mission - to reflect and demonstrate the love of Christ to a lost and broken world and to lead people on a journey of spiritual formation into the beautiful likeness of Jesus. Are you up for it?

“A scared world needs a fearless Church” - A.W. Tozer

Prayer and Application

Meditate on the “mission of the Church” today. Why does the Church exist? Why are you a part of it, and what role do you think you are called to play?  

Pray for specific people in your world today who do not know Jesus. Ask God to use you to reach them.