Challenge to Serve
“In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1)
Introduction:
“In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1) The fourth word in the Bible must be understood or the rest of the Bible will make no sense.
Two weeks ago, we looked at the foundational truths of God. He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and sovereign.
Last week, we looked at the attributes of God. Holy, love, mercy, grace, peace, and longsuffering.
This week, knowing these truths, we will be challenged to take God’s word to our friends, neighbors, and enemies. We will learn what it means to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28.
COMMAND
18 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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)
HOLY SPIRIT POWER
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
HARVEST FIELD
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. (Luke 10:1-2)
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labors. (John 4:34-38)
DISCIPLESHIP
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands,that the word of God be not blasphemed.(Titus 2:3-5)
WHO WILL ANSWER THE CALL?
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 12 And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. (Isaiah 6:8-12)
CONCLUSION
God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and sovereign.
God is holy, love, mercy, grace, peace, and longsuffering.
God commands us to “GO” and tell others about His Son Jesus. He gives us His power. He gives us a ready-made harvest field. He gives us souls for our labor. He gives us a book, the Bible, to teach His precepts and principles.
God has given us everything to be successful.
God then asks the question, “Will you go and tell others about Jesus?”
The answer is a resounding NO!
How sad that the one group of people that God has equipped to fulfill this task, refuse to go.
WILL YOU GO?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001