GREAT COMMISSION OR OMISSION?

Christ’s last words included his marching orders for all Christians until he returns. These are called The Great Commission. Unfortunately, many who claim Christ don’t know what it is, where to find it, or how it applies personally or corporately. In that sense it is a Great Omission. Therefore, let us look at these orders.

Each of the four gospels and Acts have a record of what Jesus said during the five different times he gave his orders. Each has a slightly different emphasis. Let us look chronologically at how Jesus gave these during the 40 days after the Resurrection and before his Ascension.

The first gives a focus on “peace” in John 20:21. Jesus appeared after the Resurrection first to some disciples who had locked themselves in a room in Jerusalem. They feared the Jews might kill them like they did Jesus. Suddenly Christ appears and says, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” Jesus encourages them with words of “peace” since they are being sent by Him personally just as He was by the Father. There is no need to fear since God is 100% with us. Fear of witnessing can best be overcome by trusting God and prayer.

The second Jesus issues the commission in Galilee to a large crowd of disciples. Matthew 28:18-20 says, … "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

He emphasizes his divine authority to command them to make disciples of all nations. This is not just for pastors or evangelists; it was, and is, for all true believers. Today Christ is the most known person on earth and Christianity is the largest religion in the world and is still growing after 2,000 years. Are you attempting to making disciples?

It is said that the presence of Julius Caesar transformed every soldier into a hero. In a greater way the authority of Christ should propel us to carry out His plan. 

The third presentation of the commission is in Mark 16:15-16. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” This quote is questioned since the oldest manuscripts do not contain verses 9-20. However, it is in line with the New Testament. 

"Preach" is the primary verb in verse 15 and means to proclaim. That can be done from a pulpit but also from coffee tables, computers, toolboxes, or places of work. Note the serious warning of condemnation to those who reject this gospel. Lives depend upon it.

The fourth record of the commission was given to James and the apostles in Jerusalem shortly before Jesus ascension. In Luke 24:47 he says, “and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

Jesus emphasizes repentance which is a sincere change of mind about God. Our thinking changes from going one direction to the right direction. Preaching forgiveness goes along with this since it is a result of that repentance and faith. Are you forgiven! If so then proclaim this good news.

The fifth and final time Jesus gave his commission is in Acts 1:8 stressing the power we have.  “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Jesus then went to the Mt. of Olives and ascended to heaven. His follower’s mission was now clear. They started in Jerusalem where the giving of the Holy Spirit took place on Pentecost (Acts 2). Many powerful miracles followed during that time as the Gospel went out.

Note three important points here.

1.      They did have power and so do we since the Holy Spirit is in all true believers to guide us (I Cor. 12:13). We he goes ahead and paves the way. Adrian Rogers tells of a man who bragged he had cut off the tail of a man-eating lion with his pocket knife. Asked why he hadn’t cut off the lion’s head, the man replied: “Someone had already done that.”

2.      Their witnessing started where they were in Jerusalem. Our witnessing starts where we are too. We don’t always have to go to foreign lands. England once sent missionaries all over the world but neglected home base. As a result, many of the national churches there have closed and the country is now a mission field itself. Don’t neglect home base.

3.      Later their witness spread to neighboring Samaria, then to Judea, the larger area around them, and finally to all the world. As the Lord leads our witness will go far beyond where we are. Pray for our missionaries who are an extension of us.

At our Annual Ministry Meeting (1/26/2020) we voted on members coming and going, approved our 2020 budget, voted to establish a Pulpit Committee to recommend a replacement when I retire in September. We also accepted Dave & Elice Cooper as new missionaries. All motions were amazingly 100% unanimous. Paul Hayes was voted to serve another term as Elder and both Daniel Hunt and Zachary Travis were voted as new Deacons. We now have a total of five Elders and seven Deacons. I am thankful for the harmony we’ve had at DBC these past forty years and to have been your pastor. Full details and reports are in our 2020 Annual Report available at church. May God continue to bless as we move into 2020 with a mind to build.

Missionaries Tim and Martia Franklin and girls Rebecca and Hannah are with us and will be updating us on their ministry and speaking this Sunday Feb. 2nd as we resend them to Brazil.

Missionary Jon Mitchell will be with us May 3 to report at our church. If you have a loaner vehicle, he could use May 1-18 please let me know.

Pastor Mark

SEEING 2020

Last night I went to sleep with loud explosions near our house that shook the windows and lit up the trees. It was neighbors celebrating 2020 a few hours early. The grand-kids loved it for the few minutes it was happening. Then we all said goodnight to 2019 and settled in for a long winter’s nap.

Today we woke up to a new day, a new month, a new year, a new decade, and a new century. It was even sunny here. What will 2020 hold? There is no question that things have changed. There are fears of climate change, health issues, cultural revolution, sexual confusion, personal safety, nuclear war, and government collapse.

A prime example of this is the recent church shooting in the area of Fort Worth, Texas. It caught our attention since my son Ezra lives ten minutes from the church where a gunman walked in a killed two men. Ezra is an artist by profession but is now also training to be an armed guard. Our world is changing!

But, for the Christian there is a brighter side. The gunman in Texas was spotted and being watched by church security people the instant he walked in the door. His long coat, unusual manor and fake beard were clues. Then during the communion service he rose and killed two men of the church. He himself was killed within 6 seconds when the chief of their security fired one round to the head. The chief takes no praise in it but describes it as “killing evil.” It is a miracle that more were not killed. The lesson is we all have to be more vigilant…even during communion.

The world is changing. We will face new challenges and dangers so make sure you have 2020 vision. Remember what Christ said in Matthew 10:28. "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

There are some dangers around us. Don’t fear them. There are over 100 verses in Scripture that tell us directly not to fear these dangers. But have a healthy fear of the Lord instead. Proverbs 1:7 states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Then apply it to what we should be doing. We should be carrying out the great commission (cf. Matthew 28:19-20). Even Simon the fisherman had to learn that. Luke 5:10b says, “And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men."

Maybe it is time for an eye exam. I need one. Get your vision corrected to 2020 and get busy. It’s even still sunny out. And…Happy New Year.

Pastor Mark

HOW TO SHARE THE GOSPEL SIMPLY

Last Sunday’s Chris spoke on the Judgement Seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10-15). All believers will one day stand there before the Lord. It is not our sin that will be judged there because Romans 8:1 says “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” But, at the Judgement Seat of Christ all believer’s works will be judged for their value. Did they bring glory to God or self? That which is useless wood, hay, or stubble will be burned up while that which is valuable will be rewarded. but it will not affect a person’s salvation.

With that in mind how are you doing with witnessing? Do you sometimes fail to give out the gospel or be productive for Christ. That is something most Christians struggle with. Dr. Al Mohler uses four words starting with “P” to remind us of the essential aspects of the gospel when witnessing to someone. You can use the four fingers of your hand to remember them easily.

The first word is PROBLEM. Our index finger points to the problem. We are all sinners and the wages of sin is death (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). There is nothing we can do to merit the salvation. There is none righteous Romans 3:10-18 tells us. Ephesians 2:1 adds that we are “dead” in your sins which means we are can’t do a thing about it. Dead people don’t do anything. That is a problem!

The next word is PROVISION. Our sin must be dealt with but we can’t do it on our own because we are dead. But God is “rich in mercy” because of His “great love” and wants to redeem us (Eph. 2:4). It is all about Him and for His glory. He has provided a way us to be forgiven.

The third word is PERSON. Christ is the person who died on the cross for sinners. He is the groom who died for His bride the church. He died in our place. That is easy to remember because the third finger is the ring finger speaking about love, engagement, and marriage. Ephesians 5:22ff spells that out clearly. I Cor. 15:1-5 says the “gospel” is about Christ’s death, burial and resurrection for our sins. He did it all. For more on that see the What is the Gospel? video on our home page.

PROMISE is the last word and has great hope attached to it. Christ died but was resurrected and ascended to heaven and promised to come again. He also promised to give forgiveness, salvation and eternal life to all who call on the name of the Lord having repented of their sin. The Holy Spirit has a key role in speaking to the cold heart to bring repentance on those issues and bringing us to life. Repentance is a change of mind and heart about God and our sin. That promise also extends the promises of heaven that are eternal.

Practice this simple four fingered gospel in your SALT group this week. Problem, Provision, Person, and Promise. Got it? See if you can remember the four words and the truth they point to. Then when talking to someone ask if they have heard of these four “P’s” of the Gospel.

Pastor Mark