AUGUST 18 & 19, 2007
In today's installment of these Messages About Purpose and Strategy I want to reiterate the centrality of the Great Commission. Throughout the ages, Christians have pointed to what Jesus said, recorded in
Matt. 28:18-20, as the basis for our mission. I recently devoted three of these MAPS to explaining how Jesus used three participles to amplify his command. We fulfill our mission to "make disciples" by "going, baptizing, and teaching." These facets of the disciplemaking ministry can be seen as corresponding to our Dayspring motto: "reaching, connecting and growing."
To amplify Christ's words further, consider not just Matthew's version of the Great Commission, but what Mark, Luke and John wrote as well. In Mark 16:15 we read, "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" Luke wrote the book of Acts, and in 1:8, Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Finally, consider John 20:21, "Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'"
Engage in a little Bible study. Compare and contrast these statements. You'll see that Jesus' words from Mark emphasize proclaiming the gospel. In Acts, Luke recalls Christ's seminal words on another occasion when he described the Spirit empowering his followers to represent him in ever widening circles. And in John we read an astonishing challenge, that we are sent as Jesus himself was sent: to seek and save the lost, not to be served, but to serve and give our lives!
May we be the kind of church that brings honor to God the Father by allowing his Spirit to empower us to lead people to follow his Son!
Matt. 28:18-20, as the basis for our mission. I recently devoted three of these MAPS to explaining how Jesus used three participles to amplify his command. We fulfill our mission to "make disciples" by "going, baptizing, and teaching." These facets of the disciplemaking ministry can be seen as corresponding to our Dayspring motto: "reaching, connecting and growing."
To amplify Christ's words further, consider not just Matthew's version of the Great Commission, but what Mark, Luke and John wrote as well. In Mark 16:15 we read, "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" Luke wrote the book of Acts, and in 1:8, Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Finally, consider John 20:21, "Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'"
Engage in a little Bible study. Compare and contrast these statements. You'll see that Jesus' words from Mark emphasize proclaiming the gospel. In Acts, Luke recalls Christ's seminal words on another occasion when he described the Spirit empowering his followers to represent him in ever widening circles. And in John we read an astonishing challenge, that we are sent as Jesus himself was sent: to seek and save the lost, not to be served, but to serve and give our lives!
May we be the kind of church that brings honor to God the Father by allowing his Spirit to empower us to lead people to follow his Son!
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