“Then Jesus came to them and said, “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.” — Mt. 28:18-20
Let me ask you a question, “What would you be willing to give up to win just person to the Christ?” Everything? Something? Nothing?
Have you ever attended a seminar, a conference, a Bible class or even a meeting at work where one statement or idea someone made really impacted you, to the exclusion of everything else you heard? Many years ago, I was privileged to attend a Pastors Conference where two older pastors, one who is now with the Lord, shared with us how God had grown their churches from two figures to four figures. Now pastors are usually, “all ears,” when it comes to how churches grow, so I listened intently—and even took notes!
The key? Well, it was so simple I was embarrassed—just fulfill the Great Commission. You mean do what Jesus said? What a novel approach. So what did Jesus say to the church as He was departing? Well, all four gospels and the Book of Acts (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16-18; Luke 24:44-47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8) record similar statements: share the good news (or just give your personal testimony)! But, if we do seriously set out to fulfill that Great Commission, I must warn you, it will cost us each of us something we probably enjoy—but the church you belong to will become a lot different than it is now.
Jesus said, “If anyone comes after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). To me that means that Jesus expects us to be willing to give up something—or everything that lies in our comfort zones. We may have to go out and intentionally rub shoulders with the lost wherever they gather and invite them to our church (or a cup of coffee would be a good start).
So what was the one statement that I remember to the exclusion of everything else I heard at that conference? Perhaps you’ve already guessed it. It was this: “What would you be willing to give up for the sake of winning one soul to Jesus Christ?” I’ve thought about that a lot since then and I’m glad I made my decision those many years ago to go all the way with Christ and do my best to add to His Kingdom. It’s amazing how many opportunities He will give you. What could be more wonderful than seeing someone snatched from the kingdom of hell and brought into the eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ? — Maranatha!
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