Jesus’ Farewell Command is Crucial
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According to both the Gospel of Matthew and the Book of Acts, Jesus’ last words before ascending to heaven were a parting commissioning of his followers to go out and recruit more disciples. Peter and the rest were to teach others in turn the things that they had learned from Jesus. Because of that, Peter and Paul and the others considered the message of salvation through Jesus to be a sacred trust given to them to pass on to others. As Paul wrote,
We speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.
1 Thess. 2:4
Pastor Kelvin pointed out that Christians today also should consider it a sacred task to pass on to others the Good News about forgiveness of sins through Jesus. This responsibility needs to be part of our daily mental agenda so that we are aware of the opportunities that come to us to say a word for Jesus. Peter wrote about this readiness.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.
1 Peter 3:15,16
As Lisa Griffin was listening and meditating on the Great Commission, she thought about the following song which goes so well with this theme.
Because it is in our hearts to help others know about Jesus, Great Commission Christians are also happy to allocate from their own resources to make that happen. Just as Paul worked at tentmaking to help pay his expenses and just as the church in Acts contributed heavily for the charitable giving of their church, so Christians today also contribute financially to help the work of the Great Commission. It is another way to help spread the Good News.