It's Not the "OK" Commission

Sometimes I forget about the Great Commission. As if it’s hiding away in Matthew - a passage of power, directive, and promise, just slipped into the book as an afterthought, a little “by the way.” But that’s not true. It’s not the “lousy commission,” or the “maybe commission.” It’s the Great Commission! It’s got oomph!

So maybe I don’t forget so much as avoid it. With His authority, this is what Jesus tells His followers to do. He tells them to travel far, speak boldly, make a difference. That’s a pretty big deal. What if I’m too afraid, don’t know what to say, or feel insignificant? What if I don’t know how? 

Jesus tells the disciples to share of the miracles they saw, the things they learned, the risks they took; the bruises and blisters, cuts and scars they acquired; the long and cold nights, the responsibility, the meltdowns and times of doubt; when they leaned on each other and laid their heads in Jesus’s lap, and when they discussed and laughed with each other and with the Son of God over food and drink, or around a fire. He tells them to speak from where they are, and who they are. He tells them to share an opportunity with those who don’t yet know the wonder of living life with the King. He knows the gravity of this send-off; He knows what’s coming for His followers: ridicule, persecution, exile, death. And yet He still tells them to go. Because it’s not the “meh commission.” It’s great. It’s one of the most important things a follower of God will ever do. It’s no surprise, then when Jesus tells His followers that He’ll be right by their side, no matter what. 

When the One who has all authority, who gave me this responsibility and gift and path to take, says that He's with me until the end of the age, I know I’m covered. And I know, despite the fear and risks, that I want to be a part of something great. 

Matthew 28:16-20

Whom Shall I Send?

Matthew 28:16-20

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028%3A16-20&version=NIV;GNT

  

Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? I do. I was in a meeting when one of the members got word of a plane flying into the World Trade Center. According to the History Channel website, President George W Bush spoke to America that night from the Oval Office declaring:

 

“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”

 

Later, in a reference to the eventual U.S. military response he declared, “We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.”

 

As a result, the United States military was sent to oust the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and destroy Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network. With the authority of President Bush, our men and women engaged in this mission.

 

¹⁸ Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.     GNT

 

With these words, Jesus sent his disciples into action; into battle really. He could do this because all authority had been given to him. It was with that authority, that the disciples turned the world upside down.

 

Being “sent” is a very familiar concept in the Bible. God sent Abraham to a land he had never seen. God sent Moses to Egypt to lead His people. The prophets were sent to speak God’s word. God sent Jesus to bring salvation. In turn, Jesus sent his disciples to make disciples. And now, God sends you and me.

 

He sends us to our work place; to our neighborhood; to our church; to our community; and to our family. Wherever we are, there we have been sent to make disciples with the promise that Jesus will be with us always.

 

⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”                       Isaiah 6:8 NIV

 

It’s time for us to go now. For we have been sent.

 

 

 

 

 

Hitchhikers Along the Way

Yet again, I’ve been reminded there are no coincidences with God. For the past few weeks I’ve been studying The Ways of the Alongsider by Bill Mowry. I was doing my homework when I came across several questions addressing The Great Commission. Well, wouldn’t you know that today’s post is Matthew 28:16-20!

In the chapter titled: The Way of Intentionality, Mr. Mowry asks why Jesus placed an emphasis on making more disciples. My response:  Once we learn something, the goal is to pass on that knowledge. We need to share what we’ve learned with others, not keep it to ourselves.

Believing in salvation is great, but if we’re not sharing that with others, then do we really believe?Each of us is charged with following in Jesus’ footsteps while stopping to pick up others along the way. It’s almost like picking up a hitchhiker even though your Mom always tells you not to. Someone (non-believer) needs to get somewhere (to Jesus), but they don’t have the means (knowledge of Him). If we have what they need (relationship with Christ) then shouldn’t we stop and help them get where they need to be (Heaven)?

Now, I’m not saying I’d stop on 270 and pick up a random stranger, but maybe I should. I certainly would pick up a friend or relative if I saw them standing on the side of the road in need of help. And hopefully if I help them, they in turn will help others and the cycle will continue. The intent of Jesus’s words during the Great Commission was not to just convert a few people 2000 years ago, but to multiply the number of disciples again and again throughout time.

But something to keep in mind, is that unlike many of the original disciples, we’re not all called to travel long distances. What if I’m in prison or confined to a hospital bed. Does that mean I can’t make disciples? Surely not. Disciples can be made from a 6x8 cell just as surely as they can be made from the open road! (Just ask Paul.) The key is to be deliberate/purposeful when coming alongside others.

So, where/how is God calling you to make disciples? If you have the means, will you lead the way?

Pray. Give. Go.

The Mission Challenge

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. Acts 1:9

The apostles heard the last words of Jesus just before He ascended into heaven. What an incredible honor, accompanied by an assignment of amazing significance and responsibility!

The words of verse 8, a variation of what is often called the “Great Commission,” offer a purpose and direction for all of Jesus’ followers. Jesus was saying, Go! Do not stand and watch my cloud dissolve into the evening sky. Get out there and make a difference for others, as I have for you.

When I realized my next assignment was addressing Acts 1:8, my thoughts went immediately to the Acts 1:8 Ministry I have heard so much about. I then realized how much I didn’t know, so of course, I Googled it.

 Their Home Page reads:

God is seeking to enter the heart of every person on this planet, but many Christians are intimidated by the idea of sharing their faith. Planned Acts of Christian Kindness (P.A.C.K.®) operates on a simple premise, sharing our faith in practical ways by being an example for Christ.

Reach out!

We are not all preachers, missionaries, or speakers, but we do have God given gifts the Lord expects us to use for His purpose. Perhaps Acts 1:8 Ministry is just the ticket for some of us to get started.

Acts 1:8 Ministry offers a FREE Christian outreach program to churches, organizations and individuals. 

Every day as we walk out of our homes, we are entering the mission fields. Each encounter we have with others opens a door to share the love of Christ with others. What are we waiting for? 

“It’s Time For Us To Do Something!”

Read/Listen to Acts 1:8

Watch and Listen to: It’s Time For Us To Do Something by Mathew West

Check out Acts 1:8 Ministry

Matthew 28:19

     

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Like last Sunday, and the Sunday after this one, we will remain in Matthew 28. The message is so significant, one day is not nearly enough to communicate its power and intensity. So again, we are reminded of....................................... "The Great Commission." 

                                

Matthew 27 tells of the torment Jesus endured before and during His crucifixion. According to “The Journey” bible: The instant Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was miraculously torn. This curtain had separated the innermost part of the temple from all people except the high priest, and he could enter only once a year. In tearing the curtain, God signified that Jesus’ sacrificial death removed the barrier and opened the way to give people direct access to Him. Anyone can come into the presence of God.

We are all His children, yet many on this earth are not aware of His mercy and grace. Multitudes are still oblivious of what baptism means, and the promise that is ours when we turn our lives over to God. This relationship with The Father may be ours, and it may be wonderful, yet offering this opportunity to others is what makes this gift complete.

Jesus was drawn to the corrupt. He would seek out the lost and abandon. The son of God was in search of sinners who often were oblivious to their sin until they met Him. The love and peace of our Lord that lies within a relationship with Him awaits every person on this earth, but how will they know if we don’t tell them?

Read/Listen to Matthew 28:19

Matthew 28:18

                                                               All Authority
        "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

Growing up, I went to a parochial school through 8^th grade, and attended church every Sunday. I feared the Lord, and did what I understood to be what God wanted of me. Once I began high school, everything I had learned seemed to take a back seat to what my “friends” demonstrated as the right thing to do. Entertaining ourselves was the most important thing in the world, and being together took priority over nearly everything else.

I often think back on those days, and have begged for forgiveness time and again for the way I conducted myself. I also wonder how my life and the lives of my “friends” would have been altered had I realized the calling of the Lord on my life here on earth. I thought it was just all about listening to the stories and following the rules set up by the church. My belief was basic and shallow. The expectations I had for myself were minimal at best. I had no idea I was supposed to do something.

The Great Commission, in Matthew 28 is clear. After Jesus’ resurrection, He went to the eleven disciples in Galilee on the mountain where He told them to go. After declaring His ultimate authority, He followed up with: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Our mission was declared, and His promise to always be with us was made known. He will never leave us or forsake us, ever. We are called to carry on the mission of Jesus to;

Love, Live and Reach.

Love God and Love others

Live out the truth of God’s word

Reach people for the Lord.

Read/Listen to The Great Commission