Saturday, October 11th, 2008
Our commission – The only thing we can do.
Often times, evangelism or outreach is exactly what this picture depicts – a crazy mix of uncertainty and fear. It’s crippling. Majority of us, Christians, don’t even think about outreach. And an even larger percentage of us have the wrong picture of what Jesus’ commission really means to our daily lives.
It has become increasingly harder to actively declare one’s faith in the modern day age of freedom and equality. And a lot of the times people (myself included) don’t even know where to start. I think a lot of Christians have become comfortable in ignoring this calling, or at least has not fully grasped the weight of evangelism.
“The only thing you can’t do in heaven is lead a sinner to Jesus”
Sure, we can have church, fellowship, edify and exalt God together. But that’s something we’ll be doing for eternity in heaven. We can read and study the word of God together. Pray and support each other, but that’s all secondary to what Jesus’ commission is for us.
One question we don’t ask ourselves enough is – Why did Jesus come to earth?
The answer is to save us; sinners. To redeem his people. Our work on earth is not to build one-sided relationships with God and prosper with God’s blessings. It’s to go out there and expand His kingdom.
So then, the natural question next would be – What is the Kingdom?
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.” (Matthew 13:31)
“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.” (Matthew 13:33)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matthew 13:44)
“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls” (Matthew 13:45)
“The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish” (Matthew 13:47)
Jesus spent 122 of his 132 public appearances in the New Testament with the lost. 45 out of Jesus’ 52 parables were told in the context of ‘the world’ and his Kingdom, not the Church or fellowship.
“”What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?” (Mark 4:30)
Jesus replied with the Parable of the Sower. For Jesus says to unlock the secret to other parables, you must first understand this one. (Matt, Luke, Mark) And before His disciples had a chance to ask him to explain it, he blurted out the answer – for the message was that important. You see, the seed is the word of God. (John 1:1 – Jesus is the word) The word in which our job is to sow regardless of the soils – path, rocky, thorny, or good. So that for all who has ears to hear may hear and receive the Kingdom of God and be saved.
“For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you…” (Luke 17:21). The kingdom of God is wherever Jesus is King. The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God. It is wherever Jesus is made Lord in the hearts of individuals (Luke 17:20-21). The kingdom of God is in your heart. Wherever you go, the kingdom of God goes with you. For Jesus, the kingdom of God (heaven) means the abolishing of Satan’s realm.
In the Bible describes genuine joy in finding and saving the single lost sheep; or finding the lost coin; or even finding that lost son. Can we truly say we have that mindset? Would we ditch our fellowship on a Friday night in order to go and be with someone that has yet to receive Christ? If someone went to a club to do ministry, would you criticize or support? Do we have a heart that will rejoice over every saved soul, just like how the angels roar in celebration. Do we have a heart of evangelism? Do we have a heart for outreach.
As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’
- Matthew 10:7
My friend, Jon, said that the language of evangelism is prayer. That is true because in order to Transform Society we must transform our hearts. (1 Pt 1:7) And that is something only God can do. I want to people to know the mission field is right next to them. It is there co-workers, friends, classmates, professors, parents, and siblings. It’s the stranger on the bus, it’s the homeless on the streets. It doesn’t have to be in a different country. Evangelism doesn’t mean you have to become a missionary.
Evangelism isn’t about bringing someone to church, but bringing the Kingdom to the lost. So don’t just think bringing someone to fellowship or church means you’ve done your job. Cause thats a misconception I don’t want you to fall prey to. Remember that you have the power to bring someone to Christ. You have the power to sow seeds of truth. in fact, thats the only thing we should be doing constantly. I dont want to hear that you arn’t equipped because once you have the message – you are good to go. You have the leadership of the Holy Spirit, teachings of Jesus and the voice of God! What else are you waiting for.
But do let me warn you, Jesus said:
“I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28)
Jesus is coming back. For sure. Do you believe it? Cause when we part-take in communion, we declare and patiently await for his return. The Bible tells us that on that day, Jesus will judge us. (Matt 25:31-46) The Chruch will be glorified. We wll be redeemed, reviewed, reunited and have Jesus reign for eternity. And on that day of glory, there will be people left behind.
The reality is, not everybody goes to heaven. And everybody you don’t reach, will fall away forever. If you think leaving behind your friends from highschool is tough, or that you’ll miss your friends from University after graduation. Wait till you lose someone for eternity. I can’t even imagine that. Don’t wait for the day to take your faith seriously. Mortality is very real. We need to personally respond to Jesus’ commission.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
- 1 Peter 3:15
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
- Galatians 6:14
“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 of the Son and of 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 28:18-20
It is my prayer and vision to have people take Jesus seriously, and listen to his teachings. May revival breakout on our campuses so that Jesus can save our generation. It is my hope that you’ve been challenged to rethink what evangelism means to you. And trust me, it changed my life and how I served God.
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on Sunday, October 12th, 2008 at 1:20 am:
i totally agree. i would say more, but i have a headache and am heading to bed… just wanted to say this has been on my heart as well and i’m glad you blogged about it. hope to catch up with you sometime!