I have a purpose for the explanations of these 7 passages of Scripture. Please read them all.
In John 15:16, when Jesus was still on earth, but after His resurrection, He told the eleven disciples that HE chose THEM and not the other way around and that He appointed them to go and bear fruit that will last by making disciples of Jesus. In verse 17, He told them to love each other.
(Judas, the 12th disciple, had sinned by selling (for 30 pieces of silver) Jesus’ whereabouts to the Chief Priests and leading them to Jesus. Shortly thereafter he committed suicide, realizing his terrible sin.)
In Luke 14:26, Jesus said that if we love anything more than we love HIM (including our families) then we cannot be His disciples.
In John 14:25, Jesus said that the Father would send the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, after Jesus goes back to Heaven, and the Holy Spirit would teach the disciples all things and remind them of everything Jesus has said to them.
In Mark 16:19-20, after Jesus was done speaking to His disciples, He was taken up into Heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Then His disciples went out and preached everywhere. The Lord worked with them and confirmed His Word by the signs that accompanied His Word.
In Acts 1:15 it says there were now about 120 believers.
In Acts 1:26, the eleven disciples added a 12th disciple, Matthias, to replace Judas Iscariot.
In Acts 2:1, on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came when all the disciples/believers were together. All of a sudden a sound, like the blowing of a violent wind, came from Heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit so they could tell others about Jesus, spreading Truth and bearing fruit.
NOW, my point to all of this is: What are Christians doing with their lives today regarding what Jesus said…spreading the Gospel to others and bearing good fruit? A true believer in Jesus has the Holy Spirit within Him. It seems to me, most of us are just living our lives how we want and ignoring Jesus’ Great Commission to us. Are we truly His disciples? Back in Jesus’ day, they took Him seriously.
There are signs today, regarding Bible prophecy, that Jesus’ return for His true believers is near.
Are you truly ready? If not, be prepared to be left behind and experience 7 years of terrible tribulation that the Bible describes in the Book of Revelation. This terrible tribulation will occur shortly after Jesus returns for His believers. I really don’t want any of us to have to go through that. You will have an opportunity to put your faith in Jesus during those years, but why wait? You’ll still have to go through the whole tribulation if you do not get killed first. Go to Jesus in prayer today to humble yourself, confess and repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus’ sacrifice to pay for your sins on the cross and his resurrection. This is the most important decision you can ever make. Do that today! If you need help, email me at sharborr@comcast.net.
Praying for you.
Sharon
sharborr.blog 
Hi Sharon,
I agree with your perspective that if we were really committed to Christ we would share our faith with the lost. Private Christians are afraid to offend people. Guess what? Jesus offended people, especially the religious people. I need to be reminded to reach out in love to those God brings into my path and share the love of salvation with them. It is an act of love to share the good news of God’s salvation from death. So, the question really is, “Do we really love as God loves?” “Are we willing to lay down our private Christian life for Jesus Christ?” These questions challenge me as well.
God Bless,
Joyce
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Thanks for sharing, Sharon. It was right on and very well done. The only part I took exception to was your personal read on the situation where you stated ” It seems to me, most of us are just living our lives how we want and ignoring Jesus’ Great Commission to us. ”
I think your approach of quoting the Scriptures, summing them up and then asking pertinent questions was excellent. I just felt the above was a jarring note that might have help with the flow if it were not there. This is not personal. This is mentioned purely from a literary point of view.
God bless you!
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Well, I wanted to say that because so many Christians are not being obedient. No, not everyone, for sure, but I think more are not than are, from my discernment! You surely are taking part in the Great Commission!
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