As Jesus was about to go, he spoke to the disciples and instructed them to go into the world. Strangely, the disciples did not immediately go out as commissioned but gathered in Jerusalem under the pastorship of James. This action was against the mandate that they had been given. Jesus did not support this action because he had told them to go into the world.
The Master's instructions said they should go, yet they wanted to remain in Jerusalem. Jesus desired the men he had trained to go with the message he had given them to all corners of the world. We are not called to build churches but to raise disciples. The mandate is not to build physical structures but to build people, and if we are building structures, it's only to aid us in building men. But it seems the church is more comfortable within the four walls than with accomplishing the master's mandate, which is to go into the world and make disciples.
The comfort that the four walls provide causes those in the church to forget their main mandate. The disciples were later scattered throughout the world as the Master desired, but this only happened because they were now being persecuted and could no longer stay in Jerusalem. Most people only move beyond the four walls because of persecution. The church has forgotten the true mandate of the church, which is to go and raise disciples. It's time to break down the four walls of the church and focus on building people.
When the early church was scattered because of persecution, it seemed like an attack on the church. But what the enemy intended for evil pushed the disciples into God's plan. The church, though it meets physically, lets push beyond the comfort of the four walls and focus on each person in our nations, communities, and even those beyond our region.
As the church, our primary focus is to go into the world and as the church we have to use everything at our disposal to accomplish this mandate. Christianity is a call to raise people and not just to gather. But many have taken comfort in gathering; let's take advantage even of social media and use it as a tool to reach others.
The church has been growing in media and online platforms. These are tools that we need to fulfill the Great Commission because people are gathering on those platforms. So we need to cast out nets there to win those in that space for Christ. Some in the church have neglected media and online ministry , but the world has been migrating toward those platforms for years now, and we, as the church, carry a message that must be heard. Churches can have a strong online community and also establish online churches.Apostles Peter and Paul were believed to have traveled to Rome, and because of their visits, the church was able to impact Europe and later the world. In our generation, let's break down the four walls and go out . Lets use every possible means to touch the world and impact our generation. It is time to go as our Master commanded. Where will you start? Start with your neighbor and touch those around you until the Lord allows your reach to become global. God bless you.
- Humphrey Mtandwa is an apostolic teacher of the word of God and founder of Believers Voice of Triumph Ministries. He has authored many books, including The Enoch Generation, Truthfulness, Night Parables and Theophany. If you want to connect with him or have any questions, get in touch on www.apostlehumphrey.com
