“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19:20
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples just before He ascended into heaven. Most churches consider this the Great Commission, the command of Christ to reach the world with the Good News of salvation. This command is the mission of the church. Most consider it so. Church leaders would also agree. This is the priority of the church. At least, it is in theory but is it in practice?
The very first word in the great Commission is “go”. Some churches interpret that to mean go on mission trips. Therefore, sending their people on mission trips is a priority for them. Yet, that group usually only represents a small portion of people who can manage those trips. What about the rest of the congregation? Some interpret “go” to mean “as you go” through your daily life, consider yourself to be “on mission” wherever you go. This would seem to be a better interpretation in that our world is getting smaller by the day. We can encounter people from virtually every nation in most communities. Our neighbors, our doctors, our bankers, our grocers, our food service people, and our storekeepers are our mission field. We are the missionaries reaching out to them!
The first step in fulfilling the Great Commission is realizing it is not simply a “church” directed command but a directive to each and every Christian. We are all called to be missionaries!
Once while doing ministry in Samaria, Jesus challenged his disciples saying: “Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are ripe for the harvest.” Do we see them? Sheep without a shepherd? The lost, the lame, the discouraged, the disenfranchised? Step two is seeing the need all around us.
Will you answer the call? Will you become an ambassador for Christ to fulfill the Great Commission? The Great Commission needs to become more than a nice banner in the sanctuary or pretty framed quote on the wall at the office. Let it become the motivation force compelling us to be missionaries to the masses!
Here I am Lord, Send Me!
Blessed by you…. Bro. Sherman
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