The 3-2-1 of the Great Commission

Over the last few days we have been sharing some simple thoughts about the Great Commission that Jesus gave and the work that we are to be engaged in. Every Christian must find their place in God’s plan. You may want to go back and review the truths we have discussed:

“What God Says 5 Times…” – There are five distinct accounts of the final commission that Christ left to His church. It was the last thing on His heart and the first work that should be on ours.

“4 ‘All’s’ That Make All the Difference” – Four definite actions are called for in the great commission. Obedience is not passive but active and each of us must determine whether we will obey our Lord.

In these final thoughts, we continue to narrow down the connection between Christ’s command and our lives. 3-2-1…

3 Promises Connected to the Commission

Our Lord always provides His own resources for the work that He calls us to do. When you obey His principles you can claim His promises!

• We have the promise of His presence.

“…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20). We do not go alone! Hudson Taylor said, “God is always advancing.” As we begin to participate in His gospel advance we just move forward with Him!

• We have the promise of His power.

“And these signs shall follow them that believe…” (Mark 16:17). While we know that there were unusual sign gifts associated with the apostolic age, we must never forget that everywhere the gospel goes Christ’s miraculous power follows. The greatest “sign” is a changed life and only His power can accomplish that. “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:20). God will work before you get there, while you are there, and after you have left there. It was immediately after giving them instructions that Jesus said, “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you…” (Luke 24:49). His promise of power is ours in the person of the Holy Spirit. “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses…” (Acts 1:8).

• We have the promise of His peace.

The first hearers of the commission were frightened men, cowering in an upper room. Yet God would use them to shake the world. How? They came to recognize and receive the authority and quiet resolve that only Christ can impart. “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21). His authority is our assurance.

2 Choices Related to the Commission

Sinners must choose to accept or reject Christ, to believe or not believe the gospel. Believers also have a choice. They can choose to obey Christ’s command or to disobey it. Every Christian must choose for themselves and every one of us will answer for ourselves at the judgment seat of Christ. Choose carefully. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). How can sinners even hear the gospel if believers will not obey the command to share it?

1 Example of a Great Commission Christian

Philip is the only man in Scripture called an evangelist. It is my conviction that this selected usage is because the Holy Spirit uses him as an example of a man consumed with the gospel and immersed in the great commission. There is no record that Philip ever planted a church or that he was a well-known preacher, but he furthered the work of the church and the message of Christ.

In Philip God gives instruction through illustration, encouragement through example, and principles through pattern. His is a representative life. Every time you see Philip he is doing something to help get the truth to others! This is a picture of a great commission Christian.

In fact, the references about his life seem to follow the Acts 1:8 pattern:

• He witnessed the work in Jerusalem (Acts 6:3-7).
• He was connected to the cause in Judea (Acts 8:1-4).
• He engaged in the effort in Samaria (Acts 8:5-40).
• He aided the advance to the uttermost (Acts 21:8-9).

Are we making progress in getting the gospel to all people? Last days Christians ought to be great commission Christians because great commission Christians touch the world. They begin where they are and they do not stop until they see Jesus face to face. I want to be part of a great commission church, but my life is to be a great commission life!

3-2-1 is a prompt to begin something. May God help all of us to take these simple thoughts as a divine prompting to start afresh as Christian witnesses. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22).