Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20(NLT)
The Great Commission is a privilege.
The verse above is known as the Great Commission. The great commision is one of the first things Jesus told his disciples after He died on the cross to pay for the world's sin by swallowing the wrath of His Holy Father. It was one of the last things that He told His disciples before departing from earth and asending into heaven. This commision or sending was to be the mission of these 11 men. It is also to be the mission of all those who proclaim Christ as Lord of their lives. He was telling them to tell about Him. He commanded and commissioned them, and us, to make His name famous among the nations. They were to tell their families, friends, and their community, and the world that Jesus died for them and that He was alive. They were to share that He had the power to free them of their sin and that He had the power to give them a new life with Him.
The world was lost and dying like it is today. People had a deep need to be forgiven and freed like they do today. People, both young and old, were dying without a saving faith in Jesus like they are today. This is why Jesus came. This is why the disciples were sent. This is why this Great Commision is still sending all true believers today. People are dying without a Savior, and we have been given the privilege of sharing the message of Life with them. Oh, what a privilege it is.
Last Thursday at about 12 noon a group left from Waxhaw and headed to Brasil for 12 days. Their goal was not to have fun and see sights. Their trip was not a vacation. But, they went to take Jesus to people who had never heard of Him. They went to share The Truth and The Life with people that knew no truth, and have no life worth living. As we prayed a prayer of commision, I began to weep. I had family and friends going, but that is not why I cried. I cried because God pressed upon my heart how big of a privilege it is to take Life to the lifeless. I will miss my loved ones for these 12 days, but that is not why my chin shivered. My cheeks were tear striped because I was not going to share the Truth with those people with them. It is a privilege. A privilege not just for overseas mission trips, but a privilege right here in Waxhaw, Lancaster, and Charlotte. A privilege for my house, my work, and my school. People are dying without Christ, and He has given His followers the privilege of seeing others know Him. Oh, what a privilege it is.
A Privilege Neglected
My fear is that many of us, including myself, do not always see this as a privilege. We sometimes see it as a chore. We may see it as something that our preacher or youth pastor talk about sometimes. And, many just see it a the preachers job, or something that "super Christians" do. This is rubbish. This is a sin probably as "big" as any other. It has just as much of a consequence as any other. Those people that we don't tell, will never be told.
When is the last time that you shared Jesus with a friend? When is the last time that you stepped out of that comfort zone and served as a bridge between people and Jesus? When is the last time that you cried over what Christ has done for you? When was the last time that your life showed that you belong to Jesus?
A Christian t-shirt is not enough. A facebook status is not enough. Attending church or a bible study is not the only thing that Christ is calling you to. I don't know if you know this or not, but the Gospel that is personal enough to save your soul should be personal enough to change your life. It is peronal enough to change the way that you see people. The Gospel is not something to hide. But, it is a privilege that we are to shout and share.
Are you neglecting the greatest privilege known to man?
The Gospel?
Maybe you say you don't know it well enough to share it. 2 things here: 1.Why do you trust in something to save you that you don't even know well enough to share? 2. Its simple. Don't let words, people, or guilt discourage you.
Here is a simple 4 point Gospel that anyone could share.
- God is good.
- People are not.
- Jesus is the answer, and calls us to repentence and new life.
- We must respond in faith.
I urge you to know it, live it, and share it. Who and where is God sending you to? Your family? Yes. Your friends? Yes. Your coworkers? Yes. The world? Yes. Now, Go!
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