Missions and the Local Church (ABF Lesson)

TBD

Today we are going to continue a discussion the discussion about missions that Chris started last week. What I hope to do today is look at the Great Commission from a different perspective than you may have considered before.

I know what some of you are thinking, because I would be tempted to think it too. “Here we go again, another missionary delivering another lesson on the Great Commission? What can we possibly hear about the Great Commission that we haven’t already heard?”

I think there might be quite a lot. We usually only look at the Great Commission from one passage of scripture at a time rather than examining all five passages side-by-side.

Today we are going to go through the five Great Commission passages where Jesus gives the Great Commission to His disciples in Chronological order. My hope is that by doing this we will be able to zoom out and get a better more 360 degree view and understanding of the Great Commission and how we are to carry it out.

1. The Chronological Development of The Great Commission

Let’s begin by laying out the chronology of the Great Commission Passages.

See Chart

Jesus issued the Great Commission on 5 specific occasions and all of them happened within the 40-day period between his resurrection and his ascension into heaven. (Matthew and Mark’s account happen to the same event)

A. John 20:19-21

a. Time: Day 1: Resurrection Sunday

b. Location: Jerusalem

c. Recipients: 10 Assembled Disciples hiding in fear of the Jews (Thomas is Not with the others – vs. 24)

B. Matthew 28:16-20 (Most Prominent among the Great Commission Passages)

a. Time: Not exactly sure, but somewhere between Day 20-32

b. Location: Mountain in Galilee (AKA Galilee of the Gentiles)

c. Recipients: 11 Disciples (possibly 500 witnesses referred to in 1 Cor. 15:6, although it is possible that it could have been in Bethany as recorded in Acts 1:8 instead of here).

d. Why do some believe this is the occasion when Christ appeared to the 500?

i. Because the Great Commission applies to all of His Church, Jesus would surely have wanted to deliver it to the largest possible group of his faithful followers.

ii. Where would he find so many followers? In the area where he spent the most time. Not only were most of Jesus’ followers from Galilee, but this region was so secluded that it was a safe distance from Jerusalem, where most of Jesus’ enemies were.

iii. Because Galilee was commonly referred to as Galilee of the Gentiles. Since the commission extends to ALL the WORLD, this would be a fitting location to share it with the largest and most diverse crowd.

C. Mark 16:15-16

a. Time: Same event as Matthew

b. Location: Galilee

c. Recipients: 11 Disciples

D. Luke 24:44-49

a. Time: Day 40: Ascension Day

b. Location: Jerusalem

c. Recipients: 11 disciples

E. Acts 1:8

a. Time: Day 40: Ascension Day

b. Location: Bethany (small village 2 miles E of Jerusalem, near Mt of Olives

c. Recipients: 11 disciples (possibly 500 witnesses referred to in 1 Cor. 15:6)

Now, with the timeline of these passages laid out, let’s read all 5 passages that we will be examining:

But before we begin, I need to address a potential danger that we want to avoid. Our temptation in studying the Great Commission is to take these passages out of their context and treat them as excerpts from an Academic Textbook, but we must avoid that temptation. We must remember that all five of these passages are contained within a narrative style of writing. The Gospels offer us the historical account of Christ’s life and the book of Acts provides us with the historical account of how the Church was born and how it spread throughout the first century.

Therefore, it is important that we remember the relational context of how this message was delivered. Let’s make sure we realize that these events really took place in real time.

2. Let’s look at how the Great Commission practically developed.

a. John 20:19-21 (Model of Missions) (Read) This is the most basic version of the Great Commission.

Remember the emotional roller coaster they have been on in the last week. First, they accompanied Jesus in the Triumphal Entry where he was given a hero’s welcome. Then they were with Jesus as the tension heightened. This led them to witnessing the traumatic, violent death of their Master. Three days later they are in a state of panic at the news that Jesus’ body was missing. Now they stand stunned by shock as Jesus appears inside the room where they are hiding behind locked doors.

In this dizzying flurry of activity, they are not ready for too many details. They are already experiencing sensory overload. So, Jesus keeps it simple.

Be at Peace despite the political and cultural uproar in the City.

He says this twice (v. 19 & 21)

Then he gives them a command that must have been overwhelming to their already frightened hearts and minds.

I am sending you back out there….amongst that crowd….to carry on my mission.

Just as the Father has sent me, even so, I am sending you! Jesus was sent by the Father and is now passing the baton of the Great Commission to his disciples to follow in his footsteps.

And they do emerge from their hiding place.

The next recorded appearance of Jesus was 8 days after the resurrection when Thomas sees the resurrected Lord for the first time in John 20: 26.

The journey from Jerusalem to Galilee would have taken about 1 week, and after they arrived there some of the disciples decided to return to their old livelihood as commercial fishermen. Of course, that is when the Lord appeared to them again, repeating the miracle of providing a catch of fish that was too heavy to haul into the boat, just as he had done years earlier when he called them to follow him.

You see, as they processed this transition of Christ’s resurrection and the delegating of his mission to them, they needed a refresher on some of the basic lessons about his deity, sovereignty, and Lordship that they had been learning for the past several years.

Now, in Matthew 28, we find ourselves 20-30 days after the resurrection and the first giving of the Great Commission.

b. Matthew 28:16-20 (Mission of Missions) (Read) The reason that this is the most commonly referenced passage where the Great Commission is issued is because it is so clear. From the general nature of John 20 Jesus now gives more specifics.

He begins by reminding them of Who He Is and What that means for them. He is God, the Son…the One who has been given ALL AUTHORITY in heaven & on earth.

This is not meant to intimidate them, but to comfort them.

Again, let’s put ourselves into the story. They have obeyed the Lord by going to the mountain that Jesus had directed them to go to at some previous time. Now they worship him. So, they have all obeyed and all worshipped and yet some doubted.

What was it that they were doubting?

Perhaps some still doubted whether or not this was really the resurrected Christ.

But based on this context, I think it is more likely that they were doubting themselves and their ability to serve the Lord as his ambassadors on the Great Commission that Jesus spoke in John 20. And why wouldn’t they doubt their own courage and ability. They had all fled and forsaken Jesus when he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter had even directly denied knowing Him 3 times.

So, Jesus reassures them that He has been given all authority in heaven and earth and he is now issuing an authoritative command.

Go therefore.

In light of Christ’s authority, we are to go. We have been intentionally sent.

Part of our responsibility as a local church is to intentionally send. (We’ll look at that in just a little bit)

Make disciples

This starts with evangelism

Once they are believers you are to baptize them so that there is a public identification of a new relationship with the Lord. These baptisms were done in public and when you were baptized everyone, including enemies of the Lord who would intentionally target these disciples for persecution, would know.

Next, disciple them to maturity – teach them to observe all things that Christ commanded. This is why missionaries are still needed in areas where the gospel has been proclaimed. (Example of our ministry in Ukraine) The Great Commission does not stop with evangelism. Missionaries are not just spiritual midwives to usher in a newborn Christian. None of us should stop there. We must all be committed to both evangelism & discipleship.

Now, this passage answers another question. Who should we reach to with this Great Commission? All nations– not just people of our ethnicity, our language, our skin tone, our nationality. All nations – all ethnic groups!

Finally, Jesus circles back around to where he started and reminds them, that He, the one with all authority in heaven and earth, will be with his followers until the end of the age. He did not abandon them, and he will never abandon us! There is no need to doubt!

c. Mark 16:15-16 (Mission of Missions) (Read) Mark records for us the same event as Matthew, but he words it in a slightly different way. This is to be expected. After all, Matthew was there to hear each time that Christ uttered the Great Commission, but Mark was not. It is believed that he was the disciple and scribe of the Apostle Peter. So, he is recording events from a second-hand perspective.

What does Mark’s perspective offer, that complements what Matthew has already reported?

They both emphasize the need to be intentional in our action – GO!

They both focus on making disciples, but Mark further clarifies a method for doing so. He says, “proclaim.” We must speak the truth of the gospel. Our lives must match our message, but our lives without our words are not enough. Faith comes by hearing the word of God.

They both focus on the universal scope of the audience

Matthew says – all nations

Mark says – the whole creation.

So, in our evaluation of these 3 passages of scripture, we have seen 2 of the 4 occurrences where Jesus issued the Great Commission to his disciples. As we continue to compare and contrast them, we now make our way to….

d. Luke 24:44-49 (Message of Missions) (Read) We are now 40 days after the resurrection. The disciples have returned to Jerusalem as Christ instructed them to do.

This is the day of the ascension, but the disciples do not know that Christ has this amazing spectacle in store for them.

Luke now records important details that show just why this Commission is worth repeating. Each time Jesus issues the Great Commission he adds more clarity and precision to the command.

In John’s account Jesus said – Just as the Father sent me, so I am sending you. This is the model of missions.

In Matthew’s account Jesus’ focus was on making disciples – this is the mission of Missions. (What we are to do)

In Mark’s account Jesus’ focus was on the action of proclaiming – this is the mission (and a little bit of method) of missions.

Now, in Luke’s account the focus is on the Gospel – this is the message of missions that we are to proclaim

V. 47 we are told that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed

To all nations (Matthew, Mark, now Luke)

Beginning from Jerusalem (Christ intended that the work would start from the disciples were currently location).

V. 48 You are witnesses of these things

A witness proclaims what they saw…. or what they experienced.

He concludes in v. 49 with the promise that they would be clothed with power from on High.

Now, Luke provides us with important detail as we make our way to the final passage and final issuance of the Great Commission.

In verse 50 Luke says, “And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he departed from them and was carried up into heaven.” Luke records the ascension of Christ at the end of his Gospel narrative, but Luke also authored the book of Acts where he shares even more of what Christ said in Bethany right before his ascension.

if needed/ time permitting; discuss the importance of clarifying the Mission. (primary/ secondary....)

e. Acts 1:8-9 (Method of Missions) — You will receive Power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.

In Matthew, Jesus said he would be with them unto the end of the age.

In Luke, he promises them power from on high.

You will be my witnesses (to testify what you have seen and/or experienced) (Who we are to be)

Now, Christ adds the final element that we need to faithfully carry out the Great Commission – He gives us a strategic pattern for how it should ripple out to all the world. The Lord told us what to do and how to do it. (Method of Missions)

Be my witnesses – just tell others what you know and what I have done for you.

(geographic & ethnic progression)

Start in your Jerusalem (your hometown) - _________________

Next, spread out to your Judea (your state) - ________________

Then, reach out to your Samaria (a neighboring state with a different culture) – __________________

Finally, be witnesses to the very end of the earth – now for my family, that meant moving to Africa and Ukraine, but God does not send everyone out of their hometown to serve in a foreign culture or country.

— Is Every Christian a Missionary? —

Not every follower of Christ in Jerusalem went to Antioch, but the Church in Jerusalem sent and supported Barnabas.

Not every Christian in Antioch went to be a missionary in Europe and Asia, but the church in Antioch sent and supported Barnabas and Paul.

Then the churches that they planted eventually followed the same pattern of sending out members as missionaries. To keep spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.

So it is today. Not every Christian is sent out to be a missionary; but we are all called to live on mission! What does that look like?

Representing Christ where we live… and sharing and living out the gospel with those in our circle of influence. (Lydia at the clothing store).

To bring them into our local church so they can grow

To disciple people in our church to live on mission as well.

God may send some of them out into cross-cultural mission work. When he does that, we…. (What does this look like for your church?) (Group Discussion)

_Missions & the Local Church___________________________

Now that we have this 360 degree understanding of how the Great Commission was given (chronologically)... what I would like to do is develop a clearer understanding of the local church’s role in missions. To do that we are going to start where global missions began in the NT .... those events are recorded for us in the book of Acts.

Would you open your Bibles to Acts 11?

Act is an interesting book. It tells the account of a transitional time where we read about how and when the church is born and tells us of how it develops.

A lot was changing in the world. People where going from being followers of the Law of Moses to being followers of Christ. While the book of Acts tells of the transition into what is often called the “Church age”, Luke records another major transition within the church when you reach about half way through the book. In Chapters 1-7 the foundations were laid for the church in Jerusalem. Next, the ministry spreads to Judea, and Samaria (the area just beyond Jerusalem) in chapters 8-12. Then, beginning in chapter 13, the gospel is expanded (launch of the missionary era) to the entire Roman world. From Acts 1-12, the central hub of ministry is Jerusalem. Everyone goes out of and comes back to Jerusalem. Once we get to Chapter 13, there is a shift …

Instead of ministry being centered around Jerusalem, the main characters involved in ministry will be sent out by and return to a church in a city named Antioch.

Antioch was a major pagan metropolis, the third largest city in the Roman world. (Behind Rome & Alexandria). Antioch was also the first beachhead for the Church in the pagan world.

God was going to use this local church in Antioch to impact the whole world!

I trust everyone has found their place in Acts 11, now let’s start by joining into the narrative already in progress… starting in verse 19.

Acts 11:19–30 ESV

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Paul and Barnabas are in Antioch for a whole year… they are actively serving there… they are teaching… disciples are being made… they are part of the community… they are part of the church.

The church realizes the need to send relief… so Paul and Barnabas are sent by the church...

— we can already begin to see the role of the local church developing.....

Barnabas sent out by the church in Jerusalem… (Acts 11:22)

Barnabas/ Saul (Paul) sent out by the church in Antioch… (Acts 11:30)

Acts 12:24 ESV

But the word of God increased and multiplied.

Acts 12:25 ESV

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Once the work is done… those that have been sent by the church (Paul & Barnabas) return to Antioch.... where they continue serving and ministering...

When we come to chapter 13, Luke starts verse 1 with the word “now”… Not a super special word, but one that is used to get our attention. It’s a textual clue telling us that something (different or special) is getting ready to happen.

Acts 13:1–3 ESV

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

God would use this event described in Acts 13 to change the world as God’s mission grows from local to global. This is the moment when we global missions being born.

Now that the stage is set for global missions to begin.... I’d like to draw some conclusions based on what happened in Acts 11, 12 and 13.... and then point those conclusions back to Jesus’ instructions in the different givings of His Great Commission.

Conclusion#1. The Church is to be involved in Identifying those in the membership that God may equipping for ministry.

(often this is done through giving people a chance to serve… and then watching how they do… so when the elders ask you to serve in a specific way (examples)… they are in the process of identifying your areas of giftedness to see if God may have gifted you in a way that could develop into some kind of service for ministry )

It is not a coincidence that Acts 13:1 points out that these men were “in the church”…

They were in the church (identified members… actively serving... active part of the local church)

They were actively worshipping the Lord… (indication of their physical actions?)

They were fasting… (indication of their spiritual service and perspective?)

Often in Scripture we see that the people God uses to accomplish great things for Him were already active in pursuing and serving Him.... (David, Barnabas, Paul, Phillip… )

Do you want to be used by God to see His kingdom built?

Application Point#1: Be active in serving in and through your local church! (Live it out!)

— Connect with John 20: Model of Missions - Identifying those that may be sent out.

— Transition Statement

Conclusion #2. The Church is to be involved in Equipping & Empowering its members for ministry...

As Paul & Barnabas ministered to the church in Antioch, there must have been a mutual edifying and equipping that took place.

Remember that when the church in Jerusalem first sent Barnabas to Antioch, the church in Antioch was a pretty new body of believers…

After spending a year with the believers in Antioch they grew in maturity to the point where they were called “Christians” (of the party of Christ).. which was meant to be a negative title… but the believers wore it as a badge of honor… identifying with Christ.

How did they grow in boldness and maturity? They were equipped by the leadership. Paul would later share this principle with the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 4:11-12… that the gifted leaders were to equip the saints… for the work of the ministry…

Paul and Barnabas had equipped the saints in Antioch for the work of the ministry

How? They equipped them with an accurate understanding of the message of Missions…

What is it? The Gospel… how do we know? Because Jesus told us…

(chart )

In Luke 24:44-49, Jesus clearly tells us “The Message of Missions”

This passage takes place right after the Road to Emmaus event...

In verses 36-43, Jesus appears before the disciples and speaks with them and then eats with them.

Luke 24:44–49 ESV

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

The message of the mission comes straight from Scripture. (vs. 46)

-Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations...

Gospel: Christ died, was buried, raised from the dead… and all those (every nation… to the ends of the earth) who repent from their sins… will receive forgiveness of their sins.... through faith in Christ.

That is the message of missions. The gospel.

It is not social reform… it is not critical race theory.... it is not feelings driven agendas… or name it claim it empty promises....

The message that must be proclaimed is all about Jesus and how He came to rescue mankind from our sin… and reconcile us with our Holy God and Creator!

?If the church (leadership) is to equip and empower its members for gospel focused ministry … then what should you do?

Application Point# 2 — Be Equipped & Empowered… Grow in your clarity and understanding of the Gospel… (Life Groups, Preaching, Disciple-making, etc…)

— Transition statement

Conclusion# 3. The Church is to be involved in Affirming ...

When the Holy Spirit said to set aside Paul and Barnabas … what was the response of the leaders?

In verse 3, they prayed and fasted… and then laid their hands on them.... endowing them with supernatural powers to raise the dead.... heal the lame.... and convert the pagan! Right!

No! They were affirming their agreement with what the Holy Spirit had already done in all of their hearts. (Have you ever seen the church lay hands on a deacon/ elder?)

They were affirming them as being gifted… and well equipped to engage with the mission that God was giving them. …

What is that mission? This seems like a simple answer… but it is one that is often confused when stepping into the world of (cross-cultural) missions.

Remember how Jesus described the mission of missions in Mark 16:14-16?

What is the mission we have been given? Preach the gospel (mark) to the whole creation! (Chart)

Then we remember what Jesus said in the parallel account in Matthew 28:16-20?

What aspect of the mission is highlighted there? Make ( Multiply) Disciples

(as we are going… baptizing.. and teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded).

The primary task of the mission is to proclaim/ teach the gospel… all Christ has commanded.. which will then results in the multiplying of Disciples

There is a discussion about primary and secondary roles in missions that we could have, but really needs more time than we have to give to it today....

Introduce Primary and Secondary roles in missions.... (use the Biblical Theology “road map” to help describe this) —

Make sure that what ever missions activities you are involved in.... are enabling the teaching of the gospel so that disciples are being multiplied.

Application Point #3: Be active in the mission where you are... Engage Others!

Who is your one?

Transition to last conclusion

Conclusion# 4. The Church is to be involved in Releasing (sending)

This is not a new concept initiated here in Acts 13.

Remember:

In Acts 11:22 the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch.

In Acts 11:30 the church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to give relief to those living in Judea.

In Acts 13 the church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas ...

Where did the church get this idea of sending?

Again, let’s look at a model for missions that Jesus initiated.

Remember John 20:19-20?

The Father sent the Son into the world.... so that through Him the world might be saved.

We are to do the same thing.

In the Gospels we see that Jesus was the sending authority and accountability… He sent out his disciples… and they came back and reported to Him about what they had done… and to receive further equipping…

As the Church is born.... While Jesus remains our ultimate authority.... He delegates certain responsibilities to the church. Sending.... accountability… equipping…

A. Send: The Local Church is the primary sending authority and primary level of accountability

Just as Christ was sent into the world to fulfill a mission. We… born again believers in Christ are to be sent into the world to fulfill a mission locally (where you live) and globally (to the ends of the earth).

When discussing the church sending… there is a nuance lost in our English translations… the word translated as sent in our English translations… come from a few different Greek words used in the text.

Acts 11:22: Barnabas was Sent (Verb meaning… to send on a mission… )

Acts 11:30: Paul & Barnabas were Sent (Participle meaning… to dispatch someone for the purpose of achieving a directive)

2 similar but different words… based on the same root … idea of fulfilling a mission in a different place

Acts 13:3: Sent (to grant freedom, release or permit to leave…) Root word = to loose or release

When the church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13, after affirming their gifts and ability to engage in the mission.... they were not directing what they were to do and how they were to do it.... no, they were releasing them to do what the Holy Spirit was calling them to...

That releasing.... came with a level of (accountability): We see in

Acts 14:24-28 Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch and give a report…

Acts 18:22-23 Paul (Silas) returned to Antioch to give a report…

Acts 28, Paul is eventually in Rome, where he writes to the churches…

The local church is to be the sending authority (affirming what God has already done) and primary relationship for accountability...

What about the missionary?

B. Be Sent: Missionaries are sent out by the local church (John 20:21; Luke 24:48-49 )

A missionary is a “sent one”. (I want to build a bit on what Brett already taught)

Our concept of a missionary is built upon a word used (we get our word Apostle)… and an action performed by Jesus in the New Testament.

Look at John 20:21 again. What does Jesus say? —> “…I am sending you.”

Let’s look at Luke 24:48-49 as well.

Luke 24:48–49 ESV

You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

To whom was Jesus speaking? (look at our chart… remember? — to the 10 or 11 disciples).

What were the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples called? Apostles.

The word “apostle” means, “sent one”. “To dispatch someone for the purpose of achieving a goal or objective”.

In Jesus’ Great Commission, He “sent” the Apostles out into the world to continue His mission of reconciliation. That responsibility and ministry has now been passed onto us.... His Church.

When we talk about “missionaries”… we are essentially describing the function of the post resurrection apostles (little a) .... sent on mission for Christ in the authority of Christ.

What if I am not a sent missionary?

That just means that you are not “sent” by a local church to minister the gospel… (cross-culturally?)

But, you are still personally obligated to be obedient to Christ … be actively engaged in the mission of God where you are.

Every believer has been commanded to be part of the Great Commission.... Christ’s mission on earth.

You may not be a sent Missionary… but you are still an ambassador.... representing Jesus everywhere you go! — “… doing the work of an evangelist… doing the work of a missionary “

The question you need to be asking yourselves is not if you’ll be part of God’s mission… but how will you be part of God’s mission?

Application Point #4 - Send and Be Sent…

If you are a Christian… then you have been called individually… and well as a church corporately to engage in the mission of God!

How?

Let’s wrap up by looking at Acts 1:8. If you’ll remember from the chart I showed you, chronologically, this is the last utterance of the Great Commission before Christ ascended to heaven.

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The Earth is a big place… how are we to accomplish that?

Christ gives us some guidance....

As you are going.... you are to complete the mission..... be my witnesses.... where?

Jerusalem: (home town/ where you are)

Judea: The places around you where the people look like you…

Samaria: The places where the people live aren’t like you…

Ends of the Earth: All places where people live that are like you and aren’t like you.... all over the world..

There is a cultural and geographical spiral that grows outward in this Command to be Christ’s witnesses!

Just like the Apostles, who waited for the Holy Spirit to come upon them....

Just like Paul and Barnabas who were set apart by the Holy Spirit...

As we seek to be obedient to the Lord.... engage in His mission around the world…

We are to be:

… dependent on the Holy Spirit

… in a right relationship with Him

Application chart:

Church involved in: Identifying, Equipping/ Empowering, Affirming, Sending

You involved in: Being Active, Being equipped/ Empowered, Engaging others, Sending… and Being sent

We are to be obedient to Christ not because we want to… or because we are comfortable doing it… not because you feel like it… but because He is worthy of our obedience!!!! (Point people to Rev. 7:9-10 and Romans 1:5)

Our Response:

Christ has commanded. What will your obedience look like? —

Live it out! Live out the gospel with your mouth and your movements!

Engage others! Engage those around you with the gospel (word, actions, life, not simply inviting them to church (just coming to church won’t save anyone)… but inviting them to Christ! …)

Who is your one? (challenge everyone to identify their one…. )

Send & Go (Be Sent)! those who will engage others around the world…