One last time.
Jesus had gathered His 11 Disciples. It will be the last time The Lord would be with them in His physical Glorified body. They sat at the table. The Master gives His Disciples a final lesson. Maybe not so much a lesson but an assignment.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Mark 16:15-18 NKJV
We all have heard and read about the Great Commission. When you really start to read, study and understand the Words of Jesus, Jesus isn’t just telling us to Go.
It’s not a call to go if you want. Go when it’s convenient.
He is actually giving us, His followers a command.
Go, preach!
We are so Blessed and fortunate that we have found Jesus in our darkest moments of this life. The love, grace and mercy we gained in Him! The Salvation, the Redemption, the Restoration!
Seeing and understanding The Glory of and Power of His death and Resurrection so that we might have life!
Who was it? Who was that one person that one that took this Great commission to heart and as a command from Jesus to tell you?
How will people know that you have been with Jesus. When you speak does love and truth come out of your mouths? Proclaiming without any doubt it was Jesus, He is the One that brought you from death to life!
Or do we keep to ourselves what the Lord has done and can do in someone’s life?
Look at every healing Jesus performed. The women at the well, the healing of the paralytic man, the man with unclean spirits, the man that had his sight restored. The leaper, the boy He brought back to life. The list goes on.
None of them could not contain themselves. They could not be silent about what the Lord Jesus Christ had done in their lives!
So what’s keeping you from reaching out to that family member, the coworker, the person in line at the grocery store? Everyone needs to see and feel and hear the love of Jesus and how He can change someone’s circumstances. But most importantly, their Eternal destiny!
Don’t all men, women and children deserve the same hope you have? To feel the same unconditional love you feel? To feel clean and washed and renewed in their Spirit? To have assurance of Eternal Life with the One that so selflessly gave His own?
It doesn’t take a theologian. It doesn’t require a seminary degree. All it takes is the boldness and confidence to share what Jesus has done in your life!
And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
Mark 16:20 NKJV
They went out and preached! Not knowing exactly what to do, what to say. Using only the experiences of being with the Lord and witnessing what He had done.
God will use His Church to reach the world with hope and healing. Are you willing to be His co-laborer. Are you willing to be an ambassador for Jesus ,His representative? His hands, His feet. By and through His Spirit to move forward and be the one to stand for what you believe and not be ashamed of the Good News of The Gospel?
We have been called to continue the Lord’s work.
None, not one of the Apostles built themselves a building with four walls, and waited for people to enter through the doors. Instead they were the Church and went out to the people, everywhere and to every ear!
The four walls we gather in are to teach us, to correct us,to prepare us to go out. It is our refuge in times of need and trouble. It’s the hospital for the Spiritually sick sinner to be healed. It’s a home for those that don’t have the comfort of one. It’s a shelter of safety and protection from the evil that comes against us. It’s our Spiritual refueling station.
I must say this to all in love.
Be the Church!
It is not our commission to sit here in our comfy chairs and just listen to someone speak of the Goodness, faithfulness, the love, the grace and mercy of our Mighty God. Now is the time to go out of the four walls and show the Goodness and Faithfulness! To speak of the saving, loving Grace that we have in Jesus!
Jesus ascends Into Heaven! He takes His Rightful place at the Mighty Right Hand of the Father. His work was accomplished on the Cross of Calvary!
But ours has just begun!
Allow your testimony to the goodness and Holiness of God’s Good News, and the power of the Holy Spirit be your guide! Then show the same love and compassion that was given to you!
Be the Church!
Pastor Ed