THE SAVIOUR’S COMMISSION
by: Dr. Steve Heidenreich
I like to call this article The Saviour’s Commission because it makes it more personal. Many people have called this the Great Commission, but in reality it has become the great omission! One reason for this is because we have forgotten how close this is to the heart of Jesus Christ. Once He arose from the grave, He wanted all the nations to have a clear presentation of His Gospel.
As I was reading through Matthew 28, there were some very interesting things that stuck out to me. Those who carefully follow the Lord Jesus Christ need to be careful that they pay attention to all that He says. These women were on their way to the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body. They thought He was dead. It is amazing that they did not believe in the resurrection when Jesus repeatedly taught them this truth. We must never forget the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The world believes that Jesus died, but the world does not believe that He rose from the dead.
Look at verse 6 when it says, “He is not here for he is risen, as he said.” Then we see in verse 7, “And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead;…” Moreover, look again at verse 9 when it says, “And as they went to tell his disciples,…” Then again, look in verse 10 where Jesus said unto them, “...Be not afraid: go tell my brethren…” Thank the Lord for the great truth of His resurrection, but we must go and tell the world that not only did He die for them, but that He also rose again from the dead. This is the one truth that separates Jesus Christ from all others.
This is where world missions comes into view. It has been estimated that over two-thirds of the world has never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why the Saviour's commission is so important, and why He put much emphasis upon it. In some ways, if we're not careful, we have been misled by what people think the Great Commission is really all about. Many us will be taught the Great Commission is win them, wet them, and work them. However, I want us to look at the Saviour’s Commission.
First, we must be “going” with the Gospel. We need to put the “go” back into the Gospel. We see this word “Go” mentioned 3 times in this chapter. It is mentioned in verse 7 when it says, “And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead;…” Verse 10 says, “Then Jesus said unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren…” Lastly we see it in verse 19 when it says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,…” The church today has gotten away from “going” with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Secondly, we almost always forget where the Saviour’s commission is to be accomplished. In Matthew chapter 28 verse 19 the Bible tells us to, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” Most of the time the emphasis of the Saviour's commission is applied to where we are with little concern of all nations. We must remember that the Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world. We need to know that that world is made up of 237 countries with 6.8 billion people. In that 6.8 billion people, there are 16,787 people groups. Of that 16,787 people groups, there are 6,947 unreached people groups. That is about 2.8 billion people without a clear presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The world also contains 6,517 languages with 4,400 languages that have no portion of the Scriptures at all. You can now see that we need to get our focus back on going to all nations as Christ has commanded us.
Thirdly, we are to be teaching all nations. I have been involved in missions for over 35 years. God has allowed me to travel to many nations of the world. There are a lot of things that we can teach other nations about the Bible. However, the most important thing that we can ever teach them is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In many places that I have traveled around the world I have been given one opportunity to speak to many groups of people. With only one opportunity to speak to these people, it is very important that they hear a clear presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have been able to teach the Gospel around the world and see people respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ along the Burma border, in refugee camps, in many public schools, prisons, backyards and in the countryside.
Fourthly, it is so important that people be baptized after they have trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour. The Bible is very clear that baptism comes after salvation. Baptism is the first step of obedience after being saved. I believe that many people have stunted their spiritual growth because they have not follow the Lord in baptism.
Fifthly, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:…” This is where discipleship is very important. It is very important that people be taught the doctrines of the Bible. This is why many of our converts fall into false religion. We are very good at winning people to Christ and in getting them baptized, but we are lacking in the area of teaching people the Bible.
Sixthly, when all of these other steps are followed, the end result should be the starting of a church. The church has a very important place in the life of the Christian. I have personally led many people to Christ around the world, and one of the first questions the new converts ask is where is the church? Within the heart of a new convert there is a desire to be in church. One of the greatest needs around the world is for church planting. The Saviour's commission is not completed and all the steps have not been accomplished until a church has been started.
All of the steps can be accomplished according to the Lord Jesus Christ. In verse 18 Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” He has promised that through Him we have the power to complete the Saviour's commission. Then in verse 20, Jesus said, “...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” He has promised His presence no matter where we go in the world.
I pray that we will all be involved in the Saviour's Commission. If you truly love the Saviour, you will want to be involved in that which He loves.
Dr. Steve Heidenreich
http://missionsminutes.blogspot.com/