God's Great Plan

In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas."

Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas."

He totally missed the big news -- man had flown in an airplane with a motor for the first time in the history of the world!

How many are still missing the point today!

Matthew 28 18-20 says, “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.”

Did you hear it? Go and make disciples of all nations. Just to make sure that they understood his plan, Jesus said to the disciples in Mark 16:15 “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

I think that the church in general has forgotten this mission that was given to us. Think about it, we are giving our attention to much lessor things right, things like, raising money, building a building, running the business, things like that. The other indicator that the church has missed this message is that few are going to church and as a result we have little church growth.

We must get back to God’s plan to reach the world! But before we look at His wonderful plan, let’s pray...

Part I the plan is GOING

Have you made plans to go somewhere? What is the first thing you do? For us, after we decide where we are going, we look at a map and decided the route to get there. What do you think would happen if we just got in the car and started driving? Do you think we would get where we want to go? Nope, don’t think so. You know, it’s the same in the church. If we don’t have a plan we will not get where we want to go. The plan for the disciples, as well as us is to “GO” into all the world. We are being called to spread the good news to those that need to hear it. Why is that so hard? It seems like it is easier to do almost anything else in the church doesn’t it. I mean, you can serve on one of the church boards, you can give money so that the church can “send someone else”. Or you can even sit back and nit-pick or complain. Here’s the thing, when the church begins to “go” then it will begin to “grow”.