Go, Preach, Make Diciples

In America today, and even more specifically here in the Ozarks there is a message. A message that has stood the test of time. A message that has been passed down for generations. That message is not purpose driven. That message has nothing to do with you best life now. That message was started by Jesus, and spread by the apostle Paul. Now that message is yours. What will you do with it? Unfortunately, this day and age, that message has been forgotten. One of our Lord’s greatest commandments, forsaken for the sake of filled pews with transferred sheep. That message is the Great Commission. Go, preach, and make disciples has been traded in for a gospel of greed and self happiness. The time is now that we go back to Paul’s claim of knowing nothing but Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). It is time we fulfill that Great Commission.

The sweet message of the Gospel has been the same for years. Great evangelist from Whitefield to Billy Graham have brought thousands upon thousands to Christ with that simple message. So why have we forgotten it as of late? Who will do the work of the evangelist? We should all be saying “here am I Lord send me”. Jesus told his disciples while He was still on earth “behold…look on the fields for the are white for harvest” (John 4:35). So, I have some observations for you all this month. And a challenge to rise up and be an evangelist.
First, why is evangelism so important? Billy Graham gives us some great reason why. First, life’s needs are never met by social influence or material affluence. Look at those who are in power and who are wealthy. They seem happy. Yet how many well to do stars and power players have met a tragic end? Jesus is the only answer. Second, there is an emptiness in all humanity. No amount of money can by the happiness that comes from knowing Christ as Savior. How true that is in light of the recent passing of Anna Nicole Smith. On the outside she seemed to have it all. But on the inside her life was empty and meaningless. So much so that she was wanting death just so she could end the pain. Society needs Jesus, not prosperity. Third, there is what is called a cosmic loneliness in the unsaved. They try to fill the emptiness with sex, drugs and alcohol. They think a spouse can make them fill whole; yet the divorce rate is proof that that is not what they need. They need Jesus, and they need you to deliver it to them. Fourth, the unsaved are wrapped in a sense of guilt. Prozac is prescribed like candy to hide this feeling of guilt. Little do they know that an encounter with a loving Savior can take it all away. Lastly, there is a fear in all of death. People fear the unknown of death. This is why shows like “Crossing Over” and the “Ghost Whisperer” have seen great success. They feel that there is life after death and it is not heaven or hell. We must show them that there is a hell and a heaven and the message of the Cross is Christ has defeated the grave and you can have eternal life! Most Christians do not fear death because they know where they are going. You can see this difference whenever you attend a believers funeral. Next month I will continue with this message of the Great Commission, the forgotten commandment. Until next month this has been One Man’s Opinion, I hope you share it.