The Great Commission

 

The Great Commission 

When Christ told Peter and Andrew to follow him and that he would make them fishers of men, they immediately dropped their nets and followed him. The same call goes out to us today. In Matt 28:18-20 (The great commission) the Lord instructs us to go out into all of the world and make disciples, teaching them to observe all that he commanded. We are called to share our faith with all people. If we are ashamed of Christ, then he will deny us before the Father in Heaven. We need to be bold about sharing our hope of salvation with a dying world. We must also reflect Christ in our daily lives. Are you an example of true Christianity to your co-workers or family members? You may be their only lifeline of salvation. If you were in a boat and someone fell overboard, would you not throw them a life preserver? Jesus Christ is our lifeline, because he alone, paid the price for our salvation.

The entire world is a mission field and the Lord does not require us to be eloquent speakers to share our faith. We can plant seeds of faith with those around us. It's not up to us for them to believe, it is the job of the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin and lead them to the truth, but we should utilize every opportunity to plant seeds of truth. One person may plant a seed, then another will come and water that new tender shoot, then another will harvest the crop and bring it into the storehouse. Let us look at Luke 8:5-18. 

  
 (NKJV) Luke 8:5 "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it.   6 "Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture.   7 "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.   8 "But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"   9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?"   10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest [it is given] in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'   11 " Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.   12 "Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.   13 "But the ones on the rock [are those] who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.   14 "Now the ones [that] fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.   15 "But the ones [that] fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep [it] and bear fruit with patience.   16 " No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts [it] under a bed, but sets [it] on a lamp stand, that those who enter may see the light.   17 "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor [anything] hidden that will not be known and come to light.   18 "Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him [more] will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."

We need to be a light set on a lamp stand, not hidden, that the world may see our good fruit, and desire to have the faith that is able to save their souls. Many people will fall away do to the cares or riches of this world, that is why it is so important to teach new believers of the importance of studying God's Word.  1 Thess 2:1-12 gives us good instruction on being a good role model to those we disciple in the faith.

The Apostle Paul was a great role model to the churches that he established, in both conduct, as well as deed. His teachings did not come from error, uncleanness, or deceit. In order to be a good example to the churches, he worked with his own hands so as not to be a burden to those whom he preached to. Paul’s example of true Christianity is polar opposite of that of the modern-day television evangelists and mega church pastors. Most of them live in multi- million-dollar palaces, built from the money given by the poor, widows, as well as the disabled.
Christ said that you cannot serve God and mammon (money), for only one will be your master. As Paul pointed out, our moral conduct should be blameless as well. We should live a life worthy of an ambassador for Christ, because the world is watching. We need to be the salt of the earth, letting our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. Let us all pray that the Lord of the harvest will send us out.



(NKJV) Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.   2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly [is] great, but the laborers [are] few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.   3 "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.