For over two decades and in over 50 nations across Africa, Asia, South America, North America, Australasia and beyond, I have undertaken apostolic activities and ministered a message to leaders and churches from my heart and the wealth of my experience. My heart’s burden has been poured out for Kingdom purpose.
“In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.” (John 4:31-38).
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38).
Consider and compare the above scriptures with Luke 10:1-2. Jesus made the statement that the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few in the period between the election and ordination of His twelve disciples and the commissioning of the other seventy disciples. Jesus had eighty-two or more labourers (disciples) in the service of the gospel at that time.
At present, there are millions of the Lord’s disciples across the nations of the earth. If what we have are not labourers, then we have hirelings. However, the task of advancing God’s Kingdom in the earth has not yet been accomplished.
The challenge the Church faces today is not a lack of labourers but a lack of vision for the Lord’s harvest.
The primary assignment and the great commission is NOT to win souls to depopulate hell and populate heaven, but to teach, baptize and disciple all nations.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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)
To “teach all nations” comes from the Greek word “matheteuo pas ethnos”, which means to disciple every tribe, race and people group.
The Lord Jesus had three years of labour on the earth with eternal impact, yet the Church has made believers rather than disciples over the millennia.
Apostolic ministry emphasizes and values training and discipleship. The Church is called to make disciples of all nations. Church members will become disciples as they are taught to observe all things in accordance with the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Discipleship programs mature and transition the Church into her prophetic destiny.
The Church has no mission outside the great commission. If our vision is outside the perimeter of the great commission, then it is a great omission. Seek God in context of His mission to receive clear vision that aligns with His purpose.
Our assignment is to teach the nations and make disciples. Making believers and making disciples are different processes. It takes only a moment to make a believer, but it takes years to make a disciple.
Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields for they are white, already to harvest. The harvest of the Lord is ripe. Vision is essential as we seek to invade the nations of the earth with the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
“Without prophetic vision people run wild (cast off restraint), but blessed are those who follow God’s teachings.” (Proverbs 29:18–God’s Word Translation).
Copyright © 2017 by Israel Onoriobe
Our ministry is a faith-based ministry and this material is provided free of charge to the body of Christ for equipping the saints. If this material has been a blessing to you or a source of encouragement we ask that you prayerfully consider giving a love offering to help us carry the message of the Kingdom of God to the nations – (Hebrews 10:6).
