Readings for today: Exodus 37-38, Matthew 28, Psalms 34:11-22, Proverbs 9:9-10
Anyone who knows me knows I love the mission of God. I love the global vision of the Kingdom. I love the picture Revelation paints of every tribe, tongue, and nation worshipping God around His throne. I love the commission God has given us to make disciples. To baptize. To teach. To obey. From the moment Jesus confronted me on the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder, I have been passionate about sharing the good news of the gospel with everyone I meet.
Some have told me this is a special gift but they are wrong. This is a command given to the church. To everyone who calls on the name of Jesus. Mission is not something the church does. Mission is who the church is. It is our identity. It is our DNA. It is why we exist. The primary vehicle for the spread of the good news of the gospel in the world is the local church. Local bodies of believers who faithfully and joyfully obey the command to share Jesus with everyone in their community. This is the church’s “great commission.” It is our great privilege and honor to serve as heralds of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And to this great end we direct all our energy, time, and resources so that when we go before the Lord at the end of our lives, He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”
There is no high like sharing Jesus. Recently, a friend of mine was playing in a pool tournament with her unchurched friends. She is training to be a Stephen’s Minister so was taking time after her match to study. Her friends started asking her about what she was doing. She told them about the call on her life to walk with hurting people and bring the comfort of Christ. One of them shared about a friend they had who was currently in the hospital. After listening to a bit of this person’s story, my friend felt this overwhelming urge to go and visit and pray with her. She talked to me after worship. Asked for some tips on how to begin the conversation. She shared her fear about walking in on someone she didn’t know. Would it be weird? Would it be awkward? What if she’s asleep or in a procedure? We talked through all the scenarios, prayed together, and off she went. When she got to the room and knocked on the door, the woman looked her and said, “God sent you, didn’t he?” WOW! Before she could introduce herself or say a word, God had already prepared this woman for this divine appointment! They talked and prayed and as she was leaving, the woman’s boyfriend said, “Welcome to the family.” How awesome is God?
Of course, my friend could barely contain herself! She was so filled with joy! Here she had taken a huge step of faith and God met her in a powerful way! This is what happens when we obey the Great Commission. Not that it always works out like this or is well-received. Sometimes we share and it’s tough. People resist or react negatively. But even in those moments there is a peace that passes all understanding that guards our hearts and gives us the satisfaction of knowing we have obeyed our Lord and Savior. Friends, God’s plan from creation has been to fill the earth with His divine glory! This is why He made us in His image and gave us dominion over all He has made! Be fruitful! Multiply! Share Christ! Make disciples of everyone you meet! Do not rest until the whole world hears the good news of the gospel!
Readings for tomorrow: Exodus 39-40, Mark 1:1-28, Psalms 35:1-16, Proverbs 9:11-12