Go Tell it on the Mountain

Introduction

“Go, tell it on the mountain,  over the hills and everywhere; go, tell it on the mountain  that Jesus Christ is born.”

Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 CSB

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Go — Jesus is giving us a non-negotiable. Jesus is giving us a commission and purpose. The word really means as you go…so it is a command to do something as you go about your life.

But the word also means, “to move a considerable distance, either with a single destination or from one destination to another in a series” of moves.

So there is a dual application here. We are to make disciples as we go about our day to day life…and we are to make an intentional effort to go to those who have not yet heard the Gospel of Christ and make it known to them.

This is where the “all nations” aspect of the verse weighs out. We begin by making disciples where we are but we are meant to be a part of God’s bigger strategy to reach the whole wide world.

In both instances, near and far, we are are to make disciples.

Make Disciples — This literally means to “make learners.” It can be understood to mean, to cause people to become followers of Jesus.

This would necessarily mean that we are to open our mouth and and actually teach others about Jesus. It is not enough to live a holy life, smile a lot or even to serve people.

A very earnest preacher of the Gospel was caught and put into prison in the south of Spain, and expected to die. There were Anarchists and Communists in the prison; they were desperate, and began to write curses on the wall against their captors, so the evangelist wrote on the wall, "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Underneath he wrote John 3:16 in full. That attracted attention. One of the prisoners was a young schoolmaster, and the evangelist had the joy of leading him to Christ. One day the schoolmaster said to him. "My name is on the list today to be shot; I am so glad you wrote that text on the wall. Before, I should have been desperate, but now, although I do not want to die, I am not desperate, because I know I am going to be with Jesus, and I shall see you again one day." They embraced one another and he was taken out and shot, but one day we shall see him in Glory, brought to the Lord Jesus Christ by the faithful testimony given in prison.

At some point we must literally make them a learner and this requires that we be the teacher.

Jesus is giving all of us a commission, an instruction or command to do this and we cannot give ourselves a convenient excuse to get out of it.

Jesus isn’t being mean or sadistic in giving us all this command. Not everyone is as good at teaching, speaking as others. But all of us have a story to tell and this is what Jesus wants…He wants you to tell your story…the story of you and Jesus.

We call this your testimony…the persona story of how you came to know Jesus as your God, Savior, friend and love of your life.

Yours is unique from everyone else but it has the same power and possibility as everyone else…every story can be used in the hands of God to encourage and lead someone else to faith in Christ.

Once they come to faith they join you on the journey of learning about Christ…learning everything Jesus commanded us to do and be. For this part of the journey God has given the church teachers and preachers to help.

But the evangelism and making of learners…this is something we are all meant to be a part of doing together. It is a family thing…we work together to make other followers of Jesus. It is to be a normal, natural, regular part of our life…as we go!

All Nations — This Gospel, good news, is for the Jewish and Gentile peoples. It is meant to be taught to everyone, to the end of the earth till the end of the age.

This is where we talk about God’s bigger strategy…to reach the nations. We in the United States, have a unique opportunity to be a part of God’s strategy to do this.

Our Story

How to prepare to tell your story...

One Sheet of Paper -- Write your testimony down on a sheet of paper. Condense to just that one sheet or your story gets to long and the message of the story is lost in the story.

Memorize — Memorize your story so well that you can tell it to someone in your sleep. This helps to keep you on point.

Practice — Rehearse in a mirror again and again so that you look and feel natural when you tell your story.

A,B,C’s — Seal the deal with a simple presentation of how they too might come to faith in Jesus and become a Christian.

All Nations

We are called to take God’s story and our place in it to the ends of the earth. How can we possibly do that?

Pray — Regularly, often and in faith. Pray with great persistence and patience. Pray with strong faith believing God desires the souls of the nations to know Him as we do.

Pray for our missionaries…those who have come out of Harwood and those who are with the IMB and other agencies we support. Find out specific ways to pray for them and do so…and let them know you are praying.

Give — This is not just about money. Giving money is great but give your support, love and time to those who are serving overseas as well. Drop an email, encourage them, send a box of goodies, send a card…give of yourself to our missionaries and the mission.

Go — This can be short-term as well as long-term. Be willing to go and when God calls…take off. “Feet shod with the readiness of the Gospel of peace!”

Conclusion

Have you ever told anyone your story? Remember, it is supposed to be “as you go.” It is meant to be a natural, almost casual kind of thing. Something we do often and regularly.

Can we be story tellers together this year? Can we encourage one another to do so? Can we be excited about this? Can we overcome any fears of doing so together?

Some years ago a commuter on the Long Island Railroad was known to every regular patron on the five o'clock local. He was a well-dressed, soft-spoken young man who lived at Jamaica. Every evening after the train left the subway he would rise and go to the front of the car. As he walked back he would speak to every passenger, saying, "Excuse me; but if any of your family or any of your friends are blind, tell them to consult Dr. Garl. He restored my sight." That is evangelism. He did not argue. He testified. Courteously, courageously, confidently he commended to each and all the one who had opened his eyes. He had good news and he told it. If we who are redeemed would do likewise!

We will have a box up here on the altar next week…would you drop your one page story in the box? It can be anonymous or you can put your name on it. Let’s do it together…Let’s write our story and be ready to be on mission with God as we go into 2021.

The nations will be a hot topic in 2021 at Harwood. We will pray, give and go! What is your part to play this year? Which of those three does God intend for you to participate with Him in His work in the upcoming year?

Prayer cards are up front for the Uyghurs…we will soon have more prayer cards for our Harwood missionaries…the mission team will soon be putting together further mission strategy for how we might give and go in 2021. Are you ready???