Many believers today misunderstand the Great Commission. Churches literally force people to go out and preach the Gospel to unbelievers. The results are often not very good.
One of the reasons why many of our sincere efforts bear no fruit is because we have been taught a mixture of the Law and Grace. Beloved what Peter preached in Acts 2 and 3000 were saved, what he preached at Cornelius' house and Gentiles (for the first time) were baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 10), and what Paul preached mentioned in Acts 13 that caused a lame man to receive faith to be healed (Acts 14:9), is what really matters. Yes, not HOW, WHEN, or WHERE they preached but WHAT they preached!!!!
They preached GRACE, undiluted, unadulterated, unaltered, pure Grace. They preached that through this Grace (Jesus Himself) there is forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38, 10:43, 13:38) available to all who believe in Him (Romans 10:9-10) for God SO loved the world. (John 3:16)
The great commission was never about us. If Jesus wanted Peter and the apostles to go out and fulfill the great commission by themselves then He would have not told them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). If God required men to go out and save the lost then Paul would not have cried out, "It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives through me" (Galatians 2:20) and Jesus could never have said, "who ever my Father sends to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)
Beloved, it is El Shaddai who seeks and saves the lost......the loving Father who looks out for His lost Son....Jehovah Rohi who rejoices when He finds that one lost sheep. Amen!!
So how exactly do we fulfill the great commission?
What we receive by grace through faith in Jesus edifies us. And how much we receive is always more than we can handle. (Ephesians 3:20) It is the overflow that causes us to fulfill the Great Commission. It is the ABUNDANCE of what we receive that reaches out to our lost world. It is His light reflected off of us that draws in the weary and heavy laden to Christ (Matthew 11:28). His light makes us that city on a hill which cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)
Let me clear the air regarding how exactly the disciples and apostles went out "to the uttermost parts of the earth". (Acts 1:8) Immediately after the ascension of Jesus into Heaven, the disciples stated in Jerusalem as the Lord commanded. (Acts 1:4) Even after Peter's first message they remained in Jerusalem. All throughout Acts 2 to to Acts 7 it is mentioned that they would go to the temple to preach and many were healed (Acts 5:12,16) and the church grew in number (Acts 2:41, 43, 47, 5:14). Still no apostle moved out of Jerusalem (except the people from different nations who had been there for the feast of the Pentecost, they went to their homelands with the Good News oblivious of the great commission). Acts 8:4, makes it clear that it was only after Stephen's death and when Saul started persecuting the followers of Christ in Jerusalem that the brothers were "caused" to scatter to other place, and there under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the dunamis of God, they PREACHED the Gospel. He made all things beautiful in His time. Hallelujah!!
Today do not be burdened with guilt because you are not preaching the Gospel. Condemnation kills but the Law of the Spirit of Life in JESUS CHRIST has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2) Do not let anyone force you into coercive preaching, it is never effective. Beloved, do not try to do the work of the Holy Spirit by yourself. But rejoice because under the New Covenant most of the time believers end up ministering and witnessing to people even when they are NOT aware of it. Jesus said in Acts 1:8 that "you shall be my witnesses", our lives will be living testimonies and that is what will draw people in darkness to come out into the light of Jesus that shines through our lives. Amen!! God will confirm this preaching of His word with signs and wonders (Mark 16:20)!! So no more worries about making up excuses as to why miracles did not happen, because you better brace yourself as all heaven will break open and the dunamis of God will flow when His word goes forth from the mouth of His beloved son or daughter! Amen!! Praise the Lord!!
Beloved the same power that flowed through Paul, Peter and the 1st century believers is alive and well able to do the same and even greater works in us today. The first century church was no different than us today. they faced the same difficulties, made the same mistakes and had the same power which we have today.So quit disqualifying yourself, blaming the "evil times", quit playing the blame game. Jesus' perfect work has made you a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and you are now the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Believe that there is nothing wrong with you because of Jesus' perfect sacrifice, look up and see the blessings flow, miracles manifest and experience the power of God making each of the days of your natural lives, SUPERNATURAL!! Hallelujah!!
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
Beloved this kind of a life, we abiding in Jesus and His word in us (John 15:7); this life will speak to the ends of the earth and declare that JESUS is Lord, and whatever we ask for in Jesus' name, will be done for us by the ever loving and gracious Father, the one and only wise King, to Him be all glory and honor and praise, forever and ever! Amen!
Many are later called into full time ministry by Jesus like Paul, Dr. DGS Dhinakaran, Pas. Joseph Prince, Smith Wigglesworth was a plumber before being called full time but there are instances in his life when he would go to do his job and the glory of God would be manifested in the way he spoke and acted so much that people would themselves approach him to ask him what kept him so happy and satisfied. The answer obviously was Jesus!! Beloved it is of utmost importance that we do not rush in on our own but wait for the call, besides that the word assures us that our very lives will touch people and make paradigm shifting changes wherever we are!! Look to Jesus, beloved, only He can give you that abundant life (John 10:10) where you do not end up "making it through" the day, instead you LIVE EACH MOMENT EXPERIENCING HEAVEN ON EARTH for the GLORY of GOD!! Amen!!
Blessed?? Hallelujah!!
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