My Dear friend Jan Wassenaar passed into the arms of Jesus this last week. Jan was prepared for heaven. I was so very blessed to know this man of God. I had the blessing to meet Jan a couple of times when I would return to Windom, Minnesota to do Revival services. One time Jan invited me to his apartment and I heard his life story! (Picture above of Jan speaking to me and Shari Johnson of West Virginia who took part in the Revival Services) So fascinating! What a wonderful family based on the Word of God. I was friends with Jan’s son Rudy and daughter Rita in high school. Rudy passed away at a young age in a farm accident. Rita wrote this to me after Jan passed away, “In cleaning out his clothes, he had a Gideon Bible and a track in each pocket.” What do you carry in your pockets? What do you share with the world? Do you share JESUS with everyone? Jan carried out THE GREAT COMMISSION until the day the LORD called him home. I am sure those that cared for dear Jan at the end of his life surely have heard a lot abut JESUS! How about you and me? This is one of the key reasons I adored Jan, he was not bashful about sharing Jesus, and he did it in a loving way. Jan’s life preached to me! True servanthood. What Jan did in his life is eternal works for our LORD. Nothing else matters.
What does the Body of Christ not understand about THE GREAT COMMISSION? IT IS A COMMAND, TO GO! GO!
When I became the Associate Pastor at the Church of God in Los Lunas, New Mexico 13 years ago under the direction of Pastor Jim Montoya it was a super blessing. Pastor Jim drilled into my heart and soul the importance of THE GREAT COMMISSION! I have lived and breathed it everyday since! It is part of me! What is so super is that when God called me and Sharon into FGGAM 9 Years ago this coming August, THE GREAT COMMISSION became such a key element of our ministry. I am not the favorite of some, maybe many, because I keep the call going out the the Church, it is losing its influence everyday in America. I pray more Pastors will lead their congregation to GO! GO! and carry out THE GREAT COMMISSION!
Matthew 28:19–20 contains what has come to be called the Great Commission: “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.” Jesus gave this command to the apostles shortly before He ascended into heaven, and it essentially outlines what Jesus expected the apostles and those who followed them to do in His absence.
It is interesting that, in the original Greek, the only direct command in Matthew 28:19–20 is “make disciples.” The Great Commission instructs us to make disciples while we are going throughout the world. The instructions to “go,” “baptize,” and “teach” are indirect commands—participles in the original. How are we to make disciples? By baptizing them and teaching them all that Jesus commanded. “Make disciples” is the primary command of the Great Commission. “Going,” “baptizing,” and “teaching” are the means by which we fulfill the command to “make disciples.”
What does the body of Christ not understand about THE GREAT COMMISSION? IT IS A COMMAND, TO GO! GO!
I have to say that I agree with Francis Chan on many of his points! Much of the Church in America has become too much like the world we live in, fancy dancy! Years ago the late, great man of God, Chuck Colson said, “The Church has turned into a high school pep rally.” The fall has been happening for many, many years. Big buildings….money, money, walls of a Kingdom…like governments……What happened to THE GREAT COMMISSION? When is the last time you have seen people in extreme poverty, those that are severely disabled in Churches? I would love to know. Do Pastors make house calls? I would like to know. I know to few that do. Three is not much unity in the Church, there are Christian cliques. Pastors have told me the same thing, especially Pastors of smaller Churches. What does the body of Christ not understand about THE GREAT COMMISSION? IT IS A COMMAND, TO GO! GO!
Francis Chan criticizes Western Church for lack of unity, obsession with busyness
THE CHRISTIAN POST REPORTS:
Pastor and bestselling author Francis Chan has criticized the Western Church for its lack of unity and obsession with busyness, stressing that the power and witness of the Body of Christ hinges on its oneness.
“We’re not sober-minded. We are taking in so much. We have no self-control. We wake up and we just want to see what’s going on,” the former California megachurch pastor told Exponential CEO Todd Wilson on Thursday.
Francis Chan criticizes Western Church for lack of unity – The Christian Post
I get sick to my stomach as stories like this come out. This is another wake up call for the Church!
THE CHRISTIAN POST REPORTS:
Former Desiring God writer Paul Maxwell announces he’s no longer Christian
Paul Maxwell, a former Desiring God writer and the author of the book The Trauma of Doctrine, has announced he is no longer a Christian.
“What I really miss is connection with people,” Maxwell said on his Instagram feed. “What I’ve discovered is that I’m ready to connect again. And I’m kind of ready not to be angry anymore. I love you guys and I love all the friendships and support I’ve built here. And I think it’s important to say that I’m just not a Christian anymore, and it feels really good. I’m really happy.”
Former Desiring God writer Paul Maxwell announces he’s no longer Christian-The Christian Post
