bits from bob....

The "Great" Commission

Author Unknown
posted by Robert J. Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]

"Go into all the world and make disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you, and I will always be with you."

Most people who have been Christians for even a short period of time have heard of the Great Commission. Many Christians can even tell you where in the Bible the Great Commission is found, and perhaps even that it appears in more than one version, generally near the end of one of the gospels.

If the Great Commission is really great, we should be doing all we can to answer God's call and accept his commission. We have been commissioned, just as people are commissioned in the military. We have been sent forth with a job to do. Perhaps we need to be reminded that the Great Commission is indeed great! The Great Commission....

• Is great in authority. Jesus has all authority (Matt. 28:18)
• Is great in scope. We have been sent into all the world, with the mandate to take the gospel to every creature. Further, it is great in scope because it has eternal consequences.
• Is a great message. The message of Jesus meets every need. The preaching of the gospel is life-changing, and life-saving.
• Makes a great demand. We are sent to make disciples.
• Makes possible a great response. When people respond to the gospel, accepting the good news, we are charged with baptizing them, marking them as disciples.
• Provides a great result. People are saved from sin and brought to eternal life. Disciples are empowered to life under the Lordship of Jesus.
• Makes a great promise. Not only is salvation promised (Mark 16:15,16), but the presence and power of God to accomplish his will is also promised as part of the commission.

Will you, dear Christian, recommit yourself to accepting God's commission, and going forth to make disciples?