Passion for the Great Commission - Part 4!

 

            For the last few posts, I’ve been talking about developing a passion for the Great Commission, beginning with the word “go”.  I think there are three ways that we can “go”.  First, we can be the one who steps out in faith and becomes a missionary to another people group in some distant corner of the world.  Today, there are over 6,000 unreached people groups, people that have never heard the Gospel message.  The need for people to “go” to these groups is urgent. 

            The second way to “go” is to support, both financially and in prayer, those who take that step of faith.  They will be fighting Spiritual battles in countries where Satan has had a strong foothold for years, so they must be undergirded with prayer.  They also need people to support their work financially.  “Sending” is another way to “go”.

            Don’t get the idea that “sending” gets you off the hook.  When Jesus said “go” he didn’t say “go to the next state or another country or another culture”.  He just said, “go”.  That means that the third way to go is to live your life with the purpose of making disciples wherever you are.  The question is what does that look like?

            First, you must build relationships.  We live in a busy society.  We are always in a hurry.  We greet each other and ask, “how are you doing?” but we seldom wait to hear the answer.  What do you know about your neighbors?  Do your co-workers have kids?  Is the barista that prepares your favorite coffee drink working multiple jobs to make ends meet?  As the old saying goes, you can’t tell someone how much you know until you show them how much you care.  Get to know the people that you interact with.  Express an interest in their lives.  You never know when a friendly conversation might lead to an opportunity to share the Gospel, but you will never get that opportunity if you don’t begin the conversation.

            Once the relationship has developed, you might begin by letting them know that you are praying for them.  You might also invite them into your home for a meal.  Each effort will lead to the next step.  You might even be able to begin a Bible Study with them.  Don’t panic!  It’s not as scary as it sounds.  One easy method that anyone can use is to pick a Scripture passage to read together.  Then, ask six questions:  What do you like best? What do you like least? What do you not understand? What do you learn about God or Jesus? What do you need to do about it? What verse or phrase do you want to take with you?  There are no magic answers to those questions, but they will lead to a discussion that will become the beginning of “making disciples”. 

            Begin by focusing on one or two people/couples.  Pray for them!  Pray for courage to pursue them for Christ!  Interact with them!  Make them your “one” as you seek to obey the Great Commission!  I know it’s scary.  Trust me, I’m an introvert so this takes me way out of my comfort zone, but with Christ’s help, we can do it.  “GO!”

Matthew 28: 19