Church, we must keep the gospel in the center! Element #1 is Evangelism, let’s examine the next element…

Element #2 = Identification

In today’s verse and this week’s memory verse, Jesus gives a clear command: publicly identify with Christ. In the early church era, to be baptized was to publicly identify with Christ. They did not have aisles to walk or membership cards to sign. The point of identification with Christ and His church was baptism.

Baptism does not save us; it identifies us. Some rightly understand that baptism is a symbol but wrongly believe that it is unimportant. If you have come to Christ but have not publicly aligned yourself with Him through baptism, why not?

Element #3 = Discipleship

Jesus says we are to be “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

Every spring, people will get out of the house and work in their yards. They will fertilize, water and mow their lawn (and yes, it is totally correct to say “mow the lawn”). People will plant and care for flowers, shrubs and trees. Why do we not do the same to our own spiritual souls? It is time for all of us to do some spiritual fertilizing. We must have a continual thirst to grow with God.