Five Complementary Perspectives On The Great Commission

Five Complementary Perspectives on the Great Commission

It is important to remember that our perspective determines how we respond to truth. If we see a car as only a racing machine we will fail to utilize all of its potential in carrying goods from one place to another. In the same way, if we fail to see all of the wonderful facets of the diamond called Christ’s great commission we will fail to reflect the fullness of His glorious truth to those who need it most.

Illustration:Get the right perspective. When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, "He’s so big we can never kill him." David looked at the same giant and though, "He’s so big I can’t miss."

God Can Make It Happen (Victor).

1. In Matthew 28:18-20 Christ emphasizes His authority over all things in sending us as His disciple-making representatives throughout the nearly 20,000 people groups of the world. If you think you lack the authority, confidence or the power just recall the three ways that He supplies you with the power to complete your mission. Christ assures us that His power and authority will be sufficient to overcome any oppositionary force.

A. In Matt 28:18-20. Christ says, "ALL power and authority have been given to me in heaven and earth." His power is over all heavenly as well as earthly powers of opposition.

B. In Luke 24:46-49 teaches us that His authority is available to any who will go in Christ’s name, for His sake and with complete identification with Him. Jesus said, "The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. And repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations." He will lead us for His name’s sake. He will protect, propel and empower us for His name’s sake. His presence will go with us and give us rest, assurance and confidence for His name’s sake. We are not to worry about the results since we are called to obey and trust in His name. The name that is above every name. The name that one day everyone will bow to. We can go with authority since we will be endued with the power from the Holy Spirit. We can never expand His kingdom without the power of the Spirit. His power is at work in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. We must wait until we are filled with His power otherwise in our haste we attempt to put the cart in front of the power driving locomotive found in the Holy Spirit who leads us, empowers and secures our stability.

C. From John 20:21 we know that we are sent by Christ just as He was sent by the Father. As the Father has sent me so send I you. We can go with all the confidence that Christ went forth to preach the gospel and to complete the Father’s will throughout the streets and lanes of the world.

Illustration:In U.S. Navel Institute Proceedings, the magazine of the Naval Institute, Frank Koch illustrates the importance of obeying the Laws of the Lighthouse. Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.

Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing reported, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow."

"Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out.

The lookout replied, "Steady, Captain," which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship.

The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that ship: ’We are on a collision course, advise you change course twenty degrees.’"

Back came the signal, "Advisable for you to change course twenty degrees."

The captain said, "Send: "I’m a captain, change course twenty degrees.’"

"I’m a seaman second-class," came the reply. "You had better change course twenty degrees."

By that time the captain was furious. He spat out, "Send: ’I’m a battleship. Change course twenty degrees.’"

Back came the flashing light, "I’m a lighthouse."

We changed course.

Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991, p. 153.

2. Christ’s commission gives us enablement to complete one of His priority purpose for our life. We do not have to strive with our our cunning, strength or resources since Christ’s enablement gives us the means, resources and the strength to carry out every aspect of His will.

A. In Matt. 28:18-20 Christ assures us that He will be WITH US even to the end of the age. Jesus said, "I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth." (John 14:16,17) The Spirit is our teacher, resource giver and articulator of truth. Solomon wrote, "The answer of the tongue is from the Lord." Ask God to give you greater articulative knowledge, insight and wisdom to express clearly the essence of Christ’ teaching to all nations. Do not doubt that the Lord will supply you with whatever is necessary to accomplish His great commission if you will trust Him to use you.