Christ’s Great Commission is Central to the Original Gospel [podcast]

Jesus told us that we live in “an adulterous and sinful generation” and yet “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Matthew 12:39; Romans 5:20). Among Christ’s people alive on His earth today in these final days, there is seemingly an increasing attention being placed on the work of the Gospel. Jesus instructs that we pray to the Father to send out His labourers into the great harvest: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 9:35-38; 24:14).

Can we even begin to fathom the blessing of being privileged to be “ambassadors” for Christ in our day? (See 2 Corinthians 5:20.)

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 1 John 3:1

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:13-15 

Keep in mind that ANY and all true Gospel ministry outreaches will be able to make a greater and greater impact for Christ with just a few more monthly sustaining partners. God is able (2 Corinthians 9:6-11).

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 

“Oh Jesus, if I die upon a fallen field some day, t’would be no more than loving hands, no less could I repay. No greater love have mortal man than for a friend to die. These are the words I’ve heard Him say to me.” Kelly Willard

The Great Commission

“Commotions”

Christ and His holy apostles and prophets foretold of the multiplicity of “commotions.” Should the disciple of this last hour focus on the “commotions” or upon Christ and His Great Commission command He gave us?

“But when ye shall hear of wars and COMMOTIONS, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.” Luke 21:9

So, why should we be surprised about all these things transpiring all around us – in our towns, in our nations, in this world? Why should the remnant disciple focus on the “commotions” instead of Christ and doing what He sent us to do?

See also Matthew 24:8-14.

We are Sent!

“As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” John 20:21

Jesus came on mission from His Father and then sent us on mission – we call it the Great Commission.

SAY it aloud with Jesus: “I MUST be about my Father’s business.” Luke 2:49

The “Father’s Business” = The Great Commission

Are we about our “Father’s business” today OR our own? It’s either/or (Matthew 6:24; 12:30).

Jesus said He “must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). And, the same is true for each and every authentic follower of Jesus today – they are about His business and not their own. In contrast deceivers “mind earthly things” (Philippians 3:18-19). Those ready to meet Christ are living the crucified life with their affections set upon Christ above (Colossians 3:1-4). The “Father’s business” that Jesus was about on earth is to feed His sheep and win lost souls (John 21:15-17). Anyone claiming to be Christ’s who is not daily all about seeing His sheep fed and equipped and lost souls saved is backslidden and in utter need of true repentance and a laying down of their life in this fleeting world (Luke 14:33; 17:33; 19:27, etc).

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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: 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.” Matthew 28:18-20

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16

“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:47-48 

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” John 20:21-23

Doing the actual work or fueling that Great Commission work makes you an obedient participant in Christ’s work for which you shall be forever rewarded by Him (Matthew 6:19-24; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15 

IF we are not about loving Jesus and His people today and reaching out to the lost, we are not about the “Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). This would mean that we are doing our own thing, not Christ’s, and will be found as the “unprofitable servant” of Jesus’ parable of the talents and cast into hell (Matthew 25:14-30).

“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:30

The “Father’s business” is the Great Commission command Jesus gave us (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 19:10). Ask yourself if the men you believe are true pastors are actually intent upon daily accomplishing the “Father’s business” of the Great Commission Jesus mandated (Luke 2:49; John 21:15-17). Or, are they building their own kingdom in the name of Christ? (Read Philippians 3:18-19.) Stand back and ask, discern if they are truly feeding with the pure Word and equipping, watching over the souls of Christ’s sheep, or corralling to exploit? (Read Ephesians 4:11-12; 2 Peter 2:1-3.)

There is no work in this earth, God’s earth, that is even remotely as important as the work of Christ’s Gospel which pertains to the eternal souls of men. The Great Commission. Are you participating? 1. Feeding Christ’s sheep, and 2. Ministering the Gospel to the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20, etc.).