Then Jesus said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20Matthew 28:18-20
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
18 Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! 19 . Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
WP-Bible plugin
The whole world… that’s a pretty big order. I was watching a news show this morning, and the reporter commented that the city of Tehran in Iran has the population of Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City combined. When the cameras panned the skyline, the city seemed to go on and on in every direction, so many people. And that’s just in that one city. Our objective, given to us by Jesus himself, is the entire world. That scope is truly beyond my comprehension. But that clearly is our job, our goal, our command. With a job so incomprehensible, where do we start?
Oddly enough, I believe the very first place we must visit is our own hearts. If our hearts are not properly directed and motivated, we will never get past our front door. So, what is our proper direction and motivation?
Our direction or power can come only from the Holy Spirit. I am not talking about a dramatic, emotional experience with God’s spirit, although those have their place and merit on our Christian walks. What I am talking about is a moment by moment walk with God, where we are confessing our sins to him as they occur (so that fellowship with him is not broken), and asking God to fill us with his Holy Spirit so that everything we do is in his power and not our own.
Then when we teach school, buy groceries, work in the office, and cut the grass, we do it all in the power of the Holy Spirit. If we are practicing that kind of dependence on God, it is a natural thing to be used by him in the lives of those around us to share God’s love and forgiveness with them. Whether it is at work, at home, in leisure activities or in an intentional appointment with someone, sharing Christ with those we come in contact with is a natural overflow of being filled with the Holy Spirit. It just makes sense that God would talk about himself to others through us.
If that’s the direction or power source for evangelism, what is the motivation? Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:11, 14-152 Corinthians 5:11, 14-15
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Bringing People to God
11 We know what it means to respect the Lord, and we encourage everyone to turn to him. God himself knows what we are like, and I hope you also know what kind of people we are.
14 We are ruled by Christ's love for us. We are certain that if one person died for everyone else, then all of us have died.
15 And Christ did die for all of us. He died so we would no longer live for ourselves, but for the one who died and was raised to life for us.
WP-Bible plugin: “Since then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is plain to your conscience. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
Our motivation is love. Not our love for the world, for I fear we would have little of that to offer. It’s Christ’s love for that lost and dying world, like sheep without a shepherd. For some reason, Jesus looks at this world that ignores him, rejects him and persecutes him, and he loves it. He loves each individual despite their sin. And that love can flow through us, to motivate us to want to speak to those around us that don’t know God. He beckons the lost to himself through us, if we are willing to obey God and be his representatives in this world.
Yes, the scope is beyond our understanding and our means to reach. The world is huge, and we are small. But God has placed tiny pieces of “the world” all around us. Our families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, acquaintances, and even strangers are around us in need of a personal relationship with him. We can open our mouths and allow God to use us. We can open our schedules and make time to be with those who need to know. We can open our wallets and give to missionaries who go to places we cannot and will not go. We can open our hearts to join in prayer for ourselves and others to be ministers of reconciliation. And if each of us were obedient to do these things right here that he has for us, and if Christians all over South Carolina and the United States were obedient, and Christians all over this world were obedient to do and say the things he has commanded us to do, “the world” would not seem like such a huge and daunting goal.
Every giant accomplishment on earth began with many small steps that led up to the final product. The question for us is, “are we willing to take those small steps that will lead to the world being reached for Christ?”
points to ponder
- What is directing and empowering my life?
- What motivation force is controlling my life?
- Am I practicing being filled with the Holy Spirit?
- Am I willing to be obedient to God and be used by him?
prayer
Lord Jesus, I don not know why you love me and choose to use me in your plan here on earth. I acknowledge that I often fail to listen to you, and fail to speak for you in my relationships with others. I know you have put them in my life for a reason, and I ask for you to fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can speak for you. Show me what this world looks like to you. Help me understand your love for people, and your role for me. I love you and desire to be used by you on this earth. Give me the courage to take the first steps of obedience. Amen.
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