Making Disciples of All Nations, Sunday, 8 July 2018
Did you know that someone can capture your attention and light your passion on fire without even speaking the same language as you? Passion is palpable and it is also contagious. Listening to the middle aged missionary woman at the altar sharing her testimony in another language while she stood between two choir members acting as translators this point was driven home. She shared about the challenges she had faced, the opposition and her fervent love for Jesus Christ. She told her story with simplicity, honesty and a love for God that shone through. In the time it took to translate each sentence from Hausa to English the crowd was already enthralled. Why? For me it was because of the spirit she carried and the love she emanated, it was the Holy Spirit and it was the love of God.
As we gathered in church that Sunday (8 July 2018) we were reminded of one important truth, “we do not gather just to gather. We all have to get involved in expanding the Kingdom.” Pastor Dada drew our attention to the passage in Ephesians 4: 11 – 12 emphasizing the fact that we all have a part to play. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Even if we do not all feel called to go into the mission field, give up basic comforts and face opposition from other religions, cultures and customs that is not where our evangelism ends.
In a similar fashion to the way the bold and strong missionary woman shared her story, we are to do the same. Pastor Dada reminded us “the work of the ministry takes place wherever God takes you to; in your office, at the gym, at an event, anywhere. Therefore we need to be intentional knowing we have an assignment. We come to church to learn and be equipped.” After which we must go out and tell our own stories, share how Jesus met us at our point of need and saved us body, mind and soul. Pastor Dada assured us that “we have not been sent out to quote the Bible to anyone. Our lives, our experiences, our victories are the testimonies we share.”
This made perfect sense. After all, while we were inspired by and humbled by the testimonies the woman shared of what was taking place between village rulers, new converts and brave missionaries, it was not a story that everyone could connect to on a personal level. The seeds we plant, the light we shine and the souls we win for the Kingdom might just be as a result of us sharing our walk, our story and our experiences which could resonate more with those we come across.
Pastor Dada reminded us of the instruction we have been given in Matt 28: 18 – 19, to go and make disciples of all nations. Breaking down that making disciples of all nations arises from ‘discipling’ all the people in the nation since people make up nations. “Go” is an instruction, therefore if we are not sharing our testimonies and the good news we are inadvertently disobeying this instruction. Since Jesus assured us that those who love Him are the ones who obey His commands (John 14:21), it is therefore evident what we must do. Set ourselves on fire for God and burn brightly and boldly wherever we go.
We were encouraged to feed on the Word of God and to meditate on it day and night. “The Word of God is the fuel we need to make the fire of the Holy Spirit that is burning in our spirits and souls to burn more. The wood is the word of God,” Pastor Dada taught. When a light enters a place it changes the atmosphere and the aesthetics, a fire does even more – it illuminates, it consumes, it alters, it intensifies. Imagine burning so bright that your presence and your words do all that? When we go out and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit we have heard, God will surely take care of the rest and take care of us.
At the end of a powerful service, Pastor Dada was led to give away the 1,000 Hausa Bibles we had purchased for the Love Conference coming up in October 2018 in Northern Nigeria. Instead he gave them to the bold missionary lady who testified earlier during the service. Why? Because when God says “go” we go. As we continue to gather, to study the Word of God and to hear from the Holy Spirit, may we also be bold and obedient to share our stories and play our part in expanding the Kingdom of God.
If you’re ever in Abuja please join us for a Thursday evening or Sunday morning service. If you are looking for ways to get involved in Kingdom expansion please check out our website. We are passionately involved in many Kingdom projects.
Looking forward to meeting online and in the house of our Lord. May God bless and favour us all.
Zeni Christine St. John
