Dealing With Backsliders: Matthew 28:19 (Patience)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Patience?

Regarding your efforts to bring people to Christ and/or help them grow as Christians, what frustrations are you currently experiencing?

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Read Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

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What are your first thoughts and reactions to these verses?

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Go to the "DOCUMENTS' button above and read Oswald Chambers' observations on Matthew 28:19.

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Oswald begins:

"Jesus Christ did not say, “Go and save souls” (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God), but He said, “Go...make disciples of all the nations....” Yet you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself."

As a Christian, how much have you been lead to believe that it is your responsibility to help save the souls of other people?

Oswald adds:

"Remember that there is a passion for souls that does not come from God, but from our desire to make converts to our point of view."

Do you agree?

Oswald states:

"The challenge to the missionary does not come from the fact that people are difficult to bring to salvation, that backsliders are difficult to reclaim, or that there is a barrier of callous indifference. No, the challenge comes from the perspective of the missionary’s own personal relationship with Jesus Christ— “Do you believe that I am able to do this? Our Lord unwaveringly asks us that question, and it confronts us in every individual situation we encounter."

In your personal relationship with Jesus, how frequently do you find yourself doubting in His almighty power to save the souls of other people around you?

Oswald asks:

"The one great challenge to us is— do I know my risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough in God’s sight, but foolish enough according to the wisdom of the world, to trust in what Jesus Christ has said? Or am I abandoning the great supernatural position of limitless confidence in Christ Jesus, which is really God’s only call for a missionary?"

How would you answer these questions?

Regarding your doubt in Jesus' unlimited power and authority over all the circumstances in your life, is there anything you would like to repent of (express your sorrow)?

If so, you can do so privately or in the space provided.

Oswald concludes:

"If I follow any other method, I depart altogether from the methods prescribed by our Lord— “All authority has been given to Me....Go therefore...” (Matthew 28:18-19)

As you go forward to disciple other Christians, how important to you is it to believe in the all mighty power and authority of Jesus Christ?

How much has this Trail increased the level of patience in your current disposition?