Introduction
What’s the purpose of being a Christian – the purpose of your life? What’s your gift? What are you good at?
Whenever we look at our lives, read the Bible, and walk with God, we must always ask ourselves, “Is there more to it?” The Word of God is living and active; therefore, we can expect more from the Bible than we see at face value.
My walk with the Lord began when I was very young. I grew up with a traditional church in South Africa and loved the Lord as far back as I can remember. Even at primary school age I thought much about the character of the Lord, about Biblical truths and Biblical reality. I remember how I would stand during Sunday service prayer, adding my stuttering prayers to those of the grown-ups.
Yet I was searching. One day, as my family drove past a few cattle in a meadow, I thought; you cattle have such a boring life. It’s just eating, drinking, and sleeping all the time. Then it occurred to me: How’s my life any different? It’s just eating, drinking, sleeping, playing, and working . . . and then death. What comes after that? What’s the purpose of my life?
My parents’ church didn’t preach salvation through rebirth. Therefore, in my teenage years, I couldn’t understand why I always felt so guilty during Sunday services and forever had to repent of my sins, only to have them and the guilt back on Monday.
At the time I didn’t know I wasn’t yet a new creation through rebirth. During a Bible study group meeting at school, however, with the help of the teacher who led it, I had the privilege of inviting Jesus into my life and become born again. After that, the Bible all of a sudden opened up for me. I had such a clear understanding.
The Lord had His plan for me in place. At the right time, He sent a man directly to me to explain baptism and not long after that, I learned of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. A few years later, a company of prophets came to our church and invited members to make appointments to meet with them. Being a skeptic, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but these people knew enough about my past to encourage me to listen. The most significant thing they said to me was that I should study the Word because God wants to use me as a teacher.
In the years following, I attended two separate evening Bible schools -- one had a spiritual emphasis, and the other taught theology and ministry. I also attended every course our church offered, such as evangelism, leadership, and children’s work.
The most helpful training I received, though, was in the Lord’s school of life. I loved Him dearly, but was one of His difficult children whom He had to put through many trials to shape. Like a starling, I would fly against the same window time and time again. These trials He prepared for me proved invaluable in my ministry and are reflected in my works.
I also launched into street evangelism, street children's ministry, and ministry among motorcyclists and hospital staff and patients.
My teaching gift became manifest when I was the discipleship coordinator for a hospital mission and decided to write a monthly newsletter. It became a monthly teaching that I wrote over a period of seven years. This book was born from those writings.
You also have a gift. As my gift is teaching, yours may be one of those mentioned in Romans 12:6-8, or it may be a specific talent or even intercession. Everybody has a gift, and with the gift comes the anointing. I hope to assist in equipping Christians to serve the Kingdom of God by encouraging them to maximize their gifts.
How does God want us to obey? When I was in military camp during the Angolan war, the Lord opened a door for me to minister to the troops. I was there for three months, and during that time I had complete freedom of speech as well as full use of the chaplain’s facilities, even though I was an ordinary Christian. I shared the Gospel and presented Bible studies. Many young men got saved and received initial discipling. Although the official religion in that setting did not acknowledge adult baptism, I baptized many new believers.
Today I realize I did not think these things through at the time. I simply did what came to me, and the Lord did wonderful work on that base. It was not military policy that non-official ministers should work as chaplains, yet the door was wide open. The Lord wanted to reach those men, I was naive enough to barge in “where angels fear to tread”, and He made maximum use of the opportunity. This should form the foundation of each Christian’s walk with the Lord—we should not reason, but just obey.
Jesus went to much effort to build His Kingdom, and we should honor Him by working hard as well. It’s like an entrepreneur who built a business to a certain point and then left it in the hands of managers. What are the managers going to do with the business?
In the posts to follow, you’ll find much more to Jesus’ commands than what initially meets the eye. Practical applications and examples make them easier to be understood.
You may have read these chapters in the book of Matthew and found that certain things did not make sense. You probably had no clue how to apply them to your life. Once you’ve read this series, you should have a better understanding of this important section of the Bible.Also have a look at the video material we have available for ministry to children, the deaf and the blind: www.t-a-c.co.za
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