Going...so that none should perish

The last thing Jesus did before He ascended to Heaven was to charge us to take the gospel to all nations and to make disciples and baptize them. And then He promised that He would be with us always, even until the end of the world as we know it.

Through the years, His followers have obeyed His charge in different ways and methods.

Our pastor shared something he heard from Elmer Townsend this past week.
Mr. Townsend surmised that the church in each decade has had its own method of bringing the gospel to its community and world.

The Emphasis:
In the 50's-Door to door evangelism
In the 60's-buses bringing people to church
In the 70's-the media; radio, TV broadcasting
In the 80's-the preacher
In the 90's-seeker friendly church
In 2000-worship
In 2010-Small group discipleship

I've been thinking about this.

Every method above can be found in the way Jesus did things. He sent His disciples out two by two, the multitudes came on foot or boat to be around Him,-oops, (He didn't exactly have mass media at His disposal); He was the preacher, the sinners loved to be around Him, and He would go off to worship and commune with His Father.

But I do think, that He used one method more consistently than any other.

He devoted His life to the twelve.

And He devoted more of His life to the inner three.

And it is because of those three and the additional eight-(I know; it doesn't add up)- that you and I know Him today.

If it wasn't for that small group, there would be no one going door to door or driving a bus or teaching on TV or preaching from a pulpit or "using any means" or worshipping God.

If it wasn't for Jesus and the towel He took up...
If it wasn't for Jesus and the cross He took up...
If it wasn't for Jesus and the company He took up...
We would not know Him today.

Being a part of a small group is a bit more scary then being part of a large church.
I've enjoyed being invisible and invulnerable.
But it's small group time and I can't hide anymore.
It's time to take up the towel, the cross, and the company.