“So, Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’” (John 20:21 NKJV)

These are not optional words. They are our commission. Jesus has sent us exactly as the Father sent Him—to seek and save the lost. Following Jesus is never a casual or voluntary mindset. It is a wholehearted, committed decision that must result in sharing Jesus. True discipleship always overflows into witness. We share the Good News so that people are drawn into a life-changing decision to accept Jesus as Lord. We pray for divine appointments, but when we walk in obedience, those appointments happen regularly. This should be the lifestyle of every committed believer.

The Immediate Call to Follow: Leaving Everything for Jesus (Matthew 9:9-13 NKJV) “

As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard that, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’” (Matthew 9:9-13 NKJV)

Matthew arose and followed Him—immediate obedience, no questions asked. A short time later, he opened his house and invited other sinners to sit at the table with Jesus. The Pharisees were outraged, but Jesus declared His mission: He came as the Physician for the sick. He defied man-made barriers and showed that true righteousness is full of mercy.

Following Jesus must result in sharing Jesus. We must get going by inviting the people we know to meet the Jesus we know!

When You Love Someone, You Share Everything

When you truly love someone, you include them in your entire life—not just part of it. You share what you’ve been given. You share what is most important to you. That is exactly what Matthew did. This same spirit flows into the life of every committed believer. Following Jesus is never private or part-time. It is all-in, and it always leads outward.

Matthew’s immediate obedience and open table did not stop with one meal. His simple yet powerful act of inviting sinners to meet Jesus was the very first expression of the sharing life that Jesus calls every committed follower to live. What began as one man rising up and following Jesus without hesitation quickly expanded into a shared life of fellowship, generosity, and unity. This is the beautiful bridge from personal discipleship to corporate koinonia — from one open table to the vibrant, Spirit-filled body of Christ we see unfolding in the early Church.

The Power of Koinonia: Members of Christ’s Body, United in the Spirit

This outward-sharing life is not lived alone. It is lived in the deep, Spirit-created community called koinonia—sharing, unity, close association, partnership, participation, communion, contributory help. Koinonia is a unity brought about by the Holy Spirit. It cements believers to the Lord Jesus and to each other. This is the power of true spiritual unity.

Every true Christian is a living member of the body of Christ:

“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (1 Corinthians 12:27 NKJV)

“For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.” (Ephesians 5:30 NKJV)

Other key Scriptures confirm this:

” For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” (Romans 12:4-5 NKJV).

…for we are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:25 NKJV)

The Church grows as every part does its share, with Christ as Head (Ephesians 4:16; Colossians 1:18). This is the essence of true spiritual unity—the unity of the Spirit.

In a world where many young people—especially teens from broken homes—turn to gangs seeking belonging, protection, identity, and father figures, the Church has a beautiful opportunity. When the world sees genuine agreement, joy-filled koinonia, and oneness in Christ among us, many will be drawn into the Body of Christ instead of destructive counterfeits. The divisions and disagreements among believers must give way to visible unity. Our fellowship is not optional—it is essential.

The Apostle John makes this clear:

“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ… But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another…” (1 John 1:3, 7 NKJV)

United fellowship also gives us discernment in these times and makes our witness believable. When the world sees committed disciples living in joyful agreement as the Body of Christ, souls—especially young people—can be won before the gangs reach them.

The Blueprint for a Vibrant, Growing Church: Acts 2:38-47 NKJV

This koinonia is powerfully modeled for us in the early Church:

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…’ And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers… So, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:38-47 NKJV)

This is the blueprint: true repentance, baptism, the Holy Spirit, steadfast teaching, deep fellowship, shared meals, generosity, daily gathering, gladness, and praise. The Church must never be closed. It must always be open—open tables, open homes, open hearts—sharing the Good News and sharing life.

Divine Appointments and the Open Door of Witness

Because we are sent (John 20:21 NKJV), divine appointments should be regular, not rare. Every table we set, every meal we share, every conversation we have becomes a place where people can meet the Great Physician.

The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Let us rise like Matthew, leave lesser things behind, and follow Jesus with wholehearted commitment. Let us put on display the beautiful unity and joy of His Body so that the world is drawn to Messiah Jesus. Open your life. Share the News. Live in visible koinonia.

The Sender is with us.