Omission of the Comission
Mat. 28:19, 20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (KJV)
19 Por tanto, id, y doctrinad á todos los Gentiles, bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo: (SRV)
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (KJV)
20 Enseñándoles que guarden todas las cosas que os he mandado: y he aquí, yo estoy con vosotros todos los días, hasta el fin del mundo. Amén. (SRV)
The Great Comission is what the Lord has challenged us to fulfill. It originally was given to the disciples, but it is an ongoing commandment for all believers till the end of time.
When a church or a christian loses the spirit of the Great Comission, then they have lost the reason for the church to exist.
This is not a sideline, it is the lifeline of the church.
We often deal with the sins that are committed by individuals. And rightly so, but what about the sins of comission? The things that we fail to do, that we should do.
An old English Proverb:
For want of a nail, the shoe was lost;
For want of the shoe, the horse was lost;
For want of the horse, the rider was lost;
For want of the rider, the battle was lost;
For want of the battle, the kingdom was lost. All on account of one little nail and the omission of making it a priority.
Mat. 23:23
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (KJV)
23 ¡Ay de vosotros, escribas y Fariseos, hipócritas! porque diezmáis la menta y el eneldo y el comino, y dejasteis lo que es lo más grave de la ley, es á saber, el juicio y la misericordia y la fe: esto era menester hacer, y no dejar lo otro. (SRV)
Zeph, 3:2
2 She obeyed
2 No escuchó la voz, ni recibió la disciplina: no se confió en Jehová, no se acercó á su Dios. (SRV)
Evangelism is the duty of every christian. Inviting people to church and handing out tracts is great, but let us not omit some other important matters.
Lk. 19:1-10--- story of Zacchaeus
Introducing people to our Saviour.
1. Seek them out.
CONVICTION--Be convinced that it is our job, not our option.
We must go into the highways and byways to find them. Jesus went to Zacchaeus. Most sinners do not realize that they are lost. They are not out looking for Jesus in sincerity.
*Instead of being "fishers of men", we have become content to be "keepers of the aquarium."
2. Truly Care for that Soul.
CONCERN---God is not willing that anyone should perish. Do you share that sentiment?
Get a burden for someone and let them know that you care about their situation. Jesus called Zac. by name and conversed with him.
3. Fellowship
COMPANIONSHIP---everyone needs it. Man was created for this reason.
Jesus went to the home of Zac. to eat with him.
We must seek to interact with people in a personal manner. The people we witness to must perceive that we are not just fulfilling a religous obligation. They must sense that we truly care about them as individuals and that we want to be more than a casual acquaintence with them.
4. Share the Truth with Them
CONSECRATION (dedication)---it is not just social time.
Of course, we will discuss various topics with these people, but our objective is to lead them to Christ. It is not about getting another "good old Joe" to be part of our church; it is about helping someone come to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their life.
They must come to grips with the fact that they are lost and need help. We must be honest and forthright in sharing this truth in heartfelt love.
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
94% of all the gospel preachers minister to 9% of the world's population, because that is the percent of the people who speak and understand english fluently.
5. Teach them how to Live and how to Give
CONDUCTION---Be a conduit that leads them to a mature, enriched relationship with Christ.
This is the part we call discipleship.
We can direct others that are new in the faith to know how to walk in the light of the Gospel. To live honestly.
And to give generously.
Mt 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
The USA has over 1 million representatives in other parts of the world (military, diplomats, and technical personnel).
The evangelical church of America has only 30,000 representatives (missionaries) outside of our borders.
Did you know that 80% of all bathtubs are in residences in the USA? And 70% of all automibles.
The saddest statistic is the following: The average american family gives less than $4.00 per year to spread the gospel to other parts of the world.
