If you claim to be a Christian the big deal is... God has ordered you to take on the mission of reaching your city and world with the good news of Jesus Christ. Christ's orders to you are...

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. [Matthew 28:19-20 KJV]

This order is not just to denominations, churches, or organizations. This command is for you to join up with other Christians in a local church and spread the Word throughout the entire area. It is not just for the missionaries and preachers, but every person who claims to be a Christian. Let me explain. There are no Christians, at least according to God's Word. Jesus established His church of followers with each being called a disciple.

Luke 14:26-27 KJV

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. [27] And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33 KJV

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

The disciples did not call each other Christians. the only people in the beginning who used that term were people who did not follow Jesus. Acts 11:26 explains it this way, "And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." I mention this because many think discipleship is something Christians can choose to do. So understand this, you are not a Christian, if you are not a disciple as Jesus defines it. The term Christian has obviously stuck, but Jesus called his people disciples.

He demands a full fledged, wholehearted, 100% commitment to obedience to all His commands! "TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I COMMANDED YOU." It takes time to learn all the commands, but it starts with a commitment [day of salvation] as a disciple to begin the life long walk with God. Just like marriage, it starts with a commitment day [the wedding day], and then lasts a lifetime. When you read Acts, the history of the church from the beginning you understand they "got it!" Yes, they filled their cities full of the message of Jesus. They understood and gathered as a church to obey God, by learning God's commands together, building up each other in the faith, breaking bread together for spiritual purity and cleansing, and praying together for God to shake the places they were, for further advancement of His Word among the unbelievers.

NOT TODAY! "Christians" think it is their duty to check out local churches as if they are restaurants and local schools. Does this church have the music I like? What about the style, is it pleasing to my tastes? Kids ministry, will it meet my family goals for now and the future? Blah, blah, blah, ad nausea! Read the Bible thoroughly. Consumerism has so twisted the minds of Americans they think a church is a help me institution to satisfy their spiritual desires. And so off they go, up and down the highway, looking for the perfect church mix of their personal demands. Defying the living God and allowing their city to go to HELL!!!!!!

And yes I mean disobey God, while they leave their city and drive to a different one that has the mega-church, or accepted church style that pleases their taste, they could care less about the lost people in their own city. Look at the Bible, find where anyone ever did this disgraceful thing. Yes, driven by missions, some left their homes and traveled to other cities to spread the Word, but not to satisfy their spiritual lusts. We are living in a day of loveless "Christians" as predicted by the Bible 2000 years ago! "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;" [2 Tim. 3:2-4 KJV]

While the truth of hell is professed to be a true Christian doctrine, it is ignored in the real world of many Christians. " But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." [Rev. 21:8 KJV] This truth moved the first Christians to desperate actions to win their families and neighbors. Paul explains it this way, " For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. [11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." [2 Cor. 5:10-11 KJV]

And another terrible indictment is charged against the modern American church. "Christians" cannot get along with other "Christians"! Think about it from God's perspective and the beginning of the church. If Christian " A" in Philippi did not like Christian " B" in Philippi what were his options? Since there was only one church, "A" could quit going to church and return to his selfish ways, or choose to love his brother as himself. There was no other church down the street, and transportation was very slow. What is God's will?

"Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me." [Philippians 1:27-30 NKJV]

It kind of sounds like a sports team, learn to get along, get unified and do your duty! God's will is to commit yourself to your brothers and sisters and learn to love them and serve with them. NOT divorce them whenever you do not like something. This is also why, the famous love chapter that is always quoted at weddings is misunderstood. You see that chapter is in the middle of explaining to a local church how it is to stop being selfish and start joining together to fulfill the mission of their Lord. It is easy to be selfish, but truly a miracle must take place to have a local church that is selfless, sacrificing together and reaching the lost of their city.

One last concept I want to throw at you. You are the member of the local church of your city. God sees the churches as city churches, look at the Bible again. I am a member of the church in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, whether I like it or not. Why? Because I live in Port Saint Lucie! If I refuse to help win the lost in this city and choose to have my spiritual needs met down in West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale where there are big churches with all the thrills, I resist God's will. Remember the letters to the churches in Revelation, chapters three and four.

Rev. 3:1-3 NKJV

"To the messenger of the church in Sardis [a city], write: The one who has God's seven spirits and the seven stars says: I know what you have done. You are known for being alive, but you are dead. [2] Be alert, and strengthen the things that are left which are about to die. I have found that what you are doing has not been completed in the sight of my God. [3] So remember what you received and heard. Obey, and change the way you think and act. If you're not alert, I'll come like a thief. You don't know when I will come.

If you lived in that city and claimed to be a Christian, you could not take yourself out of the judgment of Christ by stopping to meet with the others or blaming the pastor. Christ still knows what you have done! Each message from Jesus was toward all the Christians in each city, whether they would listen or not! Whether they refused to take on their responsibility or not! Whether they felt called or not! We know this because Jesus kept saying "Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches." [Rev. 3:6]

It is time that you wake up if you have been neglecting your discipleship and begin fresh today. Choose to the love your fellow Christians in town, submit to leadership and obey your pastor, and volunteer to do your part in reaching your city for Christ. When you have completed your obedience to those around you, enlarge your vision to reach the world!

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