A special assignment that is given to a person or group can be referred to as a mission; it can also be said to be a specific task with which a person or group is charged. Jesus Christ told his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20 to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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” (KJV).

Photo by Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash

Jesus Christ has specifically given the assignment of preaching and teaching all nations to His followers. This includes all tribes, tongues and peoples. You in particular, as a Christian Brother or Sister has been charged or given the responsibility to preach and teach the word of God. The mission of Christ is to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10) and He has handed over this task to all who are His followers. The great commission like we know refers to how the world can be reached with the message of the gospel. This is not a commission for a few Christians but it is for all who are children of God.

How to be involved in the great commission

  • Be born again: it starts by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and being a bonafide member of the family of God (John 3:3).
  • Be a disciple of Christ: some are born into the family of God but for one reason or the other, they struggle to follow Jesus’ steps by totally obeying the word of God. Jesus said unto His Disciples to go and preach to all nations. They were referred to as His disciples because they believed and obeyed Him.  John 8:31-32 says: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my Word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (KJV). Just being born again without deliberately following Jesus in discipleship makes you remain a child or babe. Responsibilities cannot be given to a babe who has not grown to a point of maturity even though there’s a lot of work to do. Jesus called His disciples that they should be with Him first and that He might send them (Mark 3:14). While they were with Him, they learned to obey Him and also got to know Him closely. This aided their spiritual growth. The responsibility of preaching the gospel is for all Christians but you must grow up to a point that even your life can testify and evangelize. More so, you must be an obedient child of God. Our spiritual growth is tied to our obedience to the Word of God. The Apostle Paul puts it straight – “You then, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”–do you steal? You who say, “You must not commit adultery”–do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?”  – Romans 2:21 – 23(HCSB).
  • Be filled with Holy Spirit: We can only be effective witnesses of Christ Jesus in our Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria after the Holy Spirit comes on us (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit comes to empower, lead and guide us. He comes to help our eloquences and strengthen our weaknesses/ deficiencies as it relates to the people we are to preach and teach the word of God to.
  • Be passionate and zealous for God: Christ said “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4, KJV). This task that has been given to you, when do you want to perform it? We don’t have all the time. We must preach the Word in season and out season (2Timothy 4:2). For Jesus, his primary purpose was to do the will of God: “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34, KJV). What is your own meat? When and how will you finish the work?
  • Be selfless: Don’t work for personal gain but rather work for kingdom purposes. All power has been given unto us – use the power (your job, position, office) for kingdom purpose. Let it be used in the name of the Lord to His glory.

Don’t remain idle in the market place. There’s a lot of work to be done. Do the work of an evangelist, work for the Master while it is day. We are charged with the responsibility to preach the word in season and out of season. Please read 2 Timothy 4:1 – 5. Be a shining light to the nations and salt to the earth while you reconcile many to God. Let your attitude to this task be like that of Paul who said of himself concerning the Great Commission: “And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:18-21, KJV).

God bless you.

Advertisement