Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
CARRIERS OF THE GOSPEL
St. Matthew 28:16-20V19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
The Great Commission, as found in St. Matthew 28:16-20, is one of the most significant and inspirational passages in scripture. First of all, these are the last recorded personal instructions given by Jesus to His disciples in the gospels. Secondly, these words provide the blueprint for what Christians are to do until He comes again.
As followers of Christ, we must realize and acknowledge that the Great Commission of our Lord is a calling that we are to wholeheartedly accept and accomplish. We are called to fulfill the Great Commission by being carriers of the gospel and to make disciples by sharing His message of love and salvation to others. To make disciples, we must be engaged in reaching people for Christ. In addition, we are called to teach people to be like Christ and to equip them to serve Him. Jesus has commissioned us to be His witnesses to preach, teach, and equip others.
As theologian R. Paul Stevens says, “Mission is God’s own going forth….He is Sender, Sent, and Sending.” The Father sent the Son (St. John 3:16); the Father and Son send the Holy Spirit (St. John 15:26), and now we are sent by God into the world (St. John 20:21). The mission is from the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit. As we experience the Father’s work of redemption through Jesus Christ, we are changed and transformed into Christ’s ambassadors and empowered through the Holy Spirit to go and make disciples. As we go, He goes with us and promises to be with us always, to the end of the age (St. Matthew 28:20).
In the Great Commission, Jesus calls every Christian to step out in faith, to carry the gospel, and to spread the Good News. Let us remember that the places and people who need to hear the Gospel are everywhere around us. Trusting in the Triune God, let us go into all parts of our communities and the world to make disciples for Him.
As followers of Christ, we must realize and acknowledge that the Great Commission of our Lord is a calling that we are to wholeheartedly accept and accomplish. We are called to fulfill the Great Commission by being carriers of the gospel and to make disciples by sharing His message of love and salvation to others. To make disciples, we must be engaged in reaching people for Christ. In addition, we are called to teach people to be like Christ and to equip them to serve Him. Jesus has commissioned us to be His witnesses to preach, teach, and equip others.
As theologian R. Paul Stevens says, “Mission is God’s own going forth….He is Sender, Sent, and Sending.” The Father sent the Son (St. John 3:16); the Father and Son send the Holy Spirit (St. John 15:26), and now we are sent by God into the world (St. John 20:21). The mission is from the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit. As we experience the Father’s work of redemption through Jesus Christ, we are changed and transformed into Christ’s ambassadors and empowered through the Holy Spirit to go and make disciples. As we go, He goes with us and promises to be with us always, to the end of the age (St. Matthew 28:20).
In the Great Commission, Jesus calls every Christian to step out in faith, to carry the gospel, and to spread the Good News. Let us remember that the places and people who need to hear the Gospel are everywhere around us. Trusting in the Triune God, let us go into all parts of our communities and the world to make disciples for Him.
Prayer
Lord God, we thank You that You have promised to be with us to the end of the age. Give us the courage and confidence to go forth in faith to fulfill the Great Commission, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to carry the gospel and to share Your Good News to the ends of the earth. In name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Thought of the day
“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” – J. Hudson Taylor
Rev. Christopher Phil Daniel
Diocesan Program Manager and Vicar of Jerusalem MTC, Connecticut
Lord God, we thank You that You have promised to be with us to the end of the age. Give us the courage and confidence to go forth in faith to fulfill the Great Commission, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to carry the gospel and to share Your Good News to the ends of the earth. In name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Thought of the day
“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” – J. Hudson Taylor
Rev. Christopher Phil Daniel
Diocesan Program Manager and Vicar of Jerusalem MTC, Connecticut