In what ways can we follow Jesus' example of spreading the Gospel today? Jesus Finishes Equipping, Then Goes Matthew 11:1 ― “After Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their towns.” • Jesus first pours truth into His disciples, then immediately pours truth out to the lost. • The order matters: preparation precedes proclamation. What We Learn From His Next Steps • He leaves the familiar base and deliberately enters “their towns.” • He both “teaches” (explains) and “preaches” (proclaims), covering mind and heart. • His ministry is continuous; there is no long pause between training and action. Practical Ways to Follow His Pattern Today 1. Equip Before You Go – Regularly study Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15). – Gather with believers for sharpening and accountability (Hebrews 10:24-25). 2. Move Beyond Comfort Zones – Intentionally engage neighbors, co-workers, classmates—“their towns.” – Leverage travel, hobbies, online spaces as new mission fields (Acts 8:4). 3. Combine Teaching and Preaching – Offer clear explanations of the gospel (1 Peter 3:15). – Call for personal response and repentance (Acts 17:30). 4. Keep Ministry Ongoing – View every day as a sending by Jesus (John 20:21). – Schedule regular outreach so momentum never dies (2 Timothy 4:2). 5. Empower Others, Then Release Them – Disciple new believers to share immediately (Mark 5:19). – Trust the Spirit to work through them as Jesus trusted the Twelve (Luke 10:1). 6. Depend on Prayer and the Spirit – Pray for boldness and open doors (Colossians 4:3-4). – Rely on the Spirit’s power, not human eloquence (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5). Supporting Scriptures That Reinforce the Pattern • Matthew 28:19-20 ― “Go therefore and make disciples… teaching them.” • Mark 1:38 ― “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I can preach there also.” • Romans 10:14-15 ― “How can they hear without someone preaching?” • Philippians 1:12-13 ― Paul’s chains advance the gospel; circumstances become platforms. Putting It All Together • Be thoroughly grounded in truth. • Step out of comfort. • Speak clearly and courageously. • Keep at it without interruption. • Multiply yourself in others. Thus we walk in Jesus’ footsteps from Matthew 11:1—equipped disciples who keep moving to teach and preach until every town hears. |
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