Go and Tell
As we close out Mark, we focus on the work of the great commission. We are to go, make disciples, baptize and teach.
- Does God really want us to spread the message of the gospel? If we read the gospel, we know this answer. He commissions his disciples to go and throughout the gospels, he lets us know that He is a God for all nations. In Matthew 24:14 he says that the gospel will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Even as far back as Abraham, we see God’s covenant including all the nations of the world. He told Abraham that his family would bless all people. God desires us to be his ambassadors in this world. It is a heady task, but one that is a great honor. If God’s intention is to reach all nations, what is my part?
“Then the master told the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges and make them come in, so that my house may be filled.” – Luke 14:23
- What keeps us from sharing what God has done? Think about this for a second: if Jesus is who he says he is and did what the Bible says he has done, what should our reaction be? If Jesus really was the son of God, born to a virgin, healed the sick, raised the dead, died on a cross and eventually rose again, then what? If you really believed that there was a man who died and rose again two thousand years ago that has changed the course of history and your life as well, what would you do? If you have trusted in Jesus and said you have called him Lord and bowed your will to his, how should we speak of him? Jesus is the preeminent figure in all of history. We call him King. What should we be willing to do to follow his will?
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20
- But I am not equipped for this! I don’t know what to say or do. It might seem like this commission to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the world comes without an instruction manual. Fortunately, we have several gifts that make this prospect less scary. First, we have the Holy Spirit that provides wisdom and power to us as we go. Second, we have the Bible. We don’t have to come up with an hour long speech, but can refer to the scriptures to provide the teaching and answers we need. Third, we have our stories. If our lives have been changed by the power of the gospel we have the perfect way to start the conversation. We don’t need to delve in to theological depths when we begin sharing, we can start with how God has changed you. Lastly, we have the knowledge that God wins! At the end of time, we see that Jesus is surrounded by a great multitude of people from all tribes and tongues. How can we use these tools to spread the joy of Jesus to others?
“After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.” – Revelation 7:9
Life Application: Did one of the ministries presented yesterday speak to you? Ask a ministry leader how you can get involved with ministry.
For Prayer: Pick a specific ministry that you heard about Sunday and pray for them specifically.