Proclaim The Gospel

Mar 16:15  And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Mat 28:19  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,

As I read through the Gospel of Mark and come to the Great Commission, I can't help but wonder what Jesus was saying to His disciples. We here messages often from the Gospel of Mark and Matthew regarding the command by Jesus, and the first thing that we hear is... "Go!" We are told by the preacher that Jesus commands us to go. Get up and get going... Make a move toward missions here and share the Gospel as you go. And that seems partly fitting, and it is important,  but is it the most important?

If we really look closely at the words Jesus spoke we might just see something else here. Something that is as important, or maybe even more important than, "Go." It is the word "proclaim." Proclaim the Gospel, the glad tidings, the great news of Jesus. Since I'm just a regular guy and have a basic understanding of words and sentences, it takes me a bit of an effort to see some of the nuances in the scriptures. I scratch my head trying to hear what God is speaking to me and once in awhile I have that "a-ha" moment. So as I studied this recently, that moment came.

The word "go" is not the imperative... The word "preach" is. Just as in Matthew 28 the word "disciple" is the imperative. So if we take the two verses and single out the imperatives from the participles we get the command to "proclaim" or "disciple." Not the command to go...

So, rather than thinking of this verse as missional (which it is as well) we realize the imperative is to make disciples. Whew! Now that I got that cleared up it makes perfect sense.

So here's my take on Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:19...

We are commanded to make disciples of the nations. The command to make disciples can be in our neighborhood, workplace, families, or wherever we are every day. The command isn't to go, that is the means to an end. It isn't exclusive to those who go over seas as missionaries or pastors or teachers. It is for simple people like you and me. Right where you are at today you have the opportunity to fulfill the great commission. All you have to do is step out in faith and make disciples... so go!

Have a blessed day!
Keith

The Reason For Missions

2Co 4:15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and 

more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. (esv)

If someone where to ask me, "What is the reason for missions?" I would probably say something like this... "to reach the lost people of the world and share with them the good news (Gospel) of Jesus Christ and the redemption of sins in order to bring them into a right relationship with God." In fact, that is exactly what I believe the purpose of missions is. But as I studied in Corinthians recently I encountered this verse in chapter 4. I believe this is the true meaning of missions. "To extend God's grace to more and more people and in so doing that we increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."

As I thought through this verse I came to the realization that missions, as with all of our Christian life, is ultimately about the glory of God. When we are truly alive in Christ, we long after God's glory. When I realize that my role in reaching lost people is not about them and all about God, it completely changes the way I look at it. Now I am striving for, hoping for, and praying for what He is most worthy of - His Glory! Rather than being compelled to only reach the lost for the sake of their eternal well being (which is still a vital part of missions) I am seeking sinners for the glory of God.

God is worthy of thanksgiving and glory from all mankind. Every one of us was created to glorify God. However, we have turned other things into the object of our glory. Rom 1:22-25 tells us that in our foolishness we have exchanged the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, an other things. We have exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worship the creation rather than the creator. We are giving other things our Glory and missions is to bring people back to their true purpose... to bring Glory to God. Rom 3:23 says this:  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. It doesn't say for all have sinned and aren't going to spend eternity in heaven. The ultimate issue with our sin is that it steals away the glory that is supposed to be reserved for God alone. Heaven is the reward for a faithful life on earth serving God and bringing Him glory. It is not the end in itself, it is the means for us, for all of eternity, to do what we were created for.

With an understanding of the true purpose of missions, for me, it helps with so many objections when I share my faith. Christianity is not a "private faith." When Jesus was resurrected from the grave he made himself public for all to see. He told his disciples to go and preach the good news. Paul reminds us, if we read all of chapter 4, that we are going to encounter hardship and trouble when we share our faith. Look at the outcome of the life of Jesus, it ultimately ended in his death for his claim of Deity. But the glory of God is our motivator. When we encounter an atheist, a Muslim, a Hindu, or anyone else who is not honoring God, it should motivate us to show them the way. If I believe that Jesus it the path to the One True God, then how can I stay silent and watch those giving false god's the glory and thanksgiving that is due Jesus knowing that their ultimate end is eternity apart from God in hell... forever? Forever is a very long time by the way.

So how do you view missions? As a believer in Christ, what is your role when it comes to reaching the lost people of the world? All of us should be concerned about the fulfillment of the Great Commission. (Mat 28:16-20) However, not all of us are called to go out and preach to all the nations. But I believe we are all called to participate and whether you are a sender or a goer, bringing thanksgiving and glory to God should be our ultimate purpose in everything we do.

Be Blessed,

Keith

Make Disciples of All The Nations

Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (nasb)

Go and make disciples of all the nations... Jesus makes this command to His disciples at the end of the book of Matthew. He instructs them in many things throughout the entire Gospel of Matthew and He ends on this one note... to make disciples of every nation baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Now I know it is quite impractical for each one of us to go all about like the disciples did to evangelize the nations, but I do believe we all can play a part in reaching the unreached people throughout the world. There are many ways we can be a part of this great commandment from Jesus and not have to become a missionary ourselves.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Prayerfully support the missionaries in your church.
• Send love offerings to them and give them gifts from your resources that they are requesting to build their churches and community.
• Offer to translate portions of text if you have a native language that has no written Scripture.
• Write letters and encourage them during their time away.
• When they get home give them a place to stay and offer to help them get back into the swing of things by working with them through some of the day to day events. Depending on how long a missionary is gone, things may be quite different when they get back.

Let's all make reaching the unreached people of this world a priority for Jesus sake. We all need Him and His love regardless of our culture, economic status, or location of which we were born. And remember one last thing, He is with you always, even to the end of the age!

Lord give me a heart to do more for the unreached people groups around the world. Especially for those in the 10/40 window. You are an amazing God who works His ways through your people. Let us today be those people. In Jesus name!