Scripture: Isaiah 6:8

Who will go?

The Great Commission is the most important mission a Christian can ever embrace. It’s a holistic mission encompassing careers, sports, entertainment, relationships, eternity, mental health, science, government, law, and education. In my mind, it answers all of the big questions of life, such as “Why do I have to work?”, “What should I do with my life?”, and “Does God really care about me?” 

Have you said “Yes” to the Great Commission? Will you go, give, serve, teach, and love? 

The first time I heard about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I was in an arena after hockey practice. Someone took the time to share about Jesus with unsuspecting and uninterested athletes. Uninterested, except for a guy named Mike and me. Mike was a Magnum P.I.-type guy. He was handsome and so hairy. I was a late bloomer and couldn’t even grow a mustache. For some divine reason, we both sat there while the rest of the team walked away. I’m not sure if Mike ever followed through with his faith, but I did. 

What would have happened to me if those Christians had never risked ridicule from a bunch of hockey players? I can assure you—I’d be dead, an addict, or a lost soul. God is always looking for people to go, to baptize, and to teach: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8, NIV) 

Go get them for Christ; pray them in; love them in; and see your friends, family, and others come to Christ. Jesus will change their lives and their eternities. In turn, they’ll make disciples of all nations, one life at a time. 

You can sit on the sidelines of life chasing shadows, or you can chase after the greatest mission of all time, the Great Commission, because you are a miracle. It’s all about souls. 

Scriptures: Exodus 31:3-6, Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 3:23-24, Luke 16:10

Your work is valuable

Work doesn’t sound very glorious or spiritual, but it’s actually one of the most spiritual things you can do. On Labor Day in the United States, we take a moment to celebrate all of our workers. We honor the builders of the homes we live in and the builders of the bridges crossing our highways. We honor the ones preparing the burgers we munch on and the ones washing the dirty dishes. Workers come in all sizes and assignments, and they are all valuable.

Do you believe your labor is in vain? Do you think your career is insignificant in the big scheme of things? God doesn’t! The Bible tells us that God anointed architects and interior designers: “‘and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts… Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you’” (Exodus 31:3-6, NIV).

He says in His Word you were created to do good works: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV) 

I struggled with this concept until one day while I was working a summer job. University tuition was due in just a few months, and I had to hustle to get the money for my studies. I had accepted a dirty job digging ditches around an old home. I was complaining to God about the work I had done. I’d washed dishes at a college, repaired broken tombstones, mowed lawns, unloaded bags of wheat from a freight train, and laid bricks for driveways. I felt like I would never live my dreams. 

Have you ever felt like this? I admit I had a bad attitude, but God straightened it out with one verse: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24, NKJV) The Spirit spoke to my mind right in the middle of my doubt and discouragement. Wow! God is so good.

You may feel your work is mundane and useless at times, but I’ve discovered it’s not what you do but how you do it. The Bible says, “‘He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.’” (Luke 16:10, NKJV) Be faithful in the small things in life, and watch how it becomes part of the Great Commission.

Because you’re a miracle, 

Scriptures: Matthew 6:10, Acts 17:28, Acts 3:6, Luke 9:1-2, 1 Peter 2:4-5

You are chosen

All authority over the world and its power centers has been given to Jesus Christ. He, in turn, sends us to bring His power and love into the world. He prayed and even now continues to pray, “‘Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.’” (Matthew 6:10, KJV)

The Great Commission is 100% based on the authority of Jesus. We live, breathe, and change lives based on the delegated authority of Jesus Christ. 

The Apostle Paul said, “For in him we live and move and have our being…” (Acts 17:28, NIV). And Peter said, “‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’” (Acts 3:6, NKJV)

The disciples had no authority in their own merit. It was given to them in Luke 9:1-2: “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (NIV)

You may feel inadequate to fulfill the Great Commission, but God will make you more than adequate. You may have struggled with addictions and failure, but God can qualify you.

You are the one God has chosen. You are the teammate He has chosen to play for His team. He enlisted you in His army. “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5, NIV) Wow! This is amazing. 

Almost twenty years ago, a man came up to me after early morning prayer and said, “You don’t have to be afraid, Pastor.” I was surprised by his words and told him I wasn’t afraid. But he responded in a way that launched us on a wild, 20-year journey together. He said, “I’m a third degree black belt, and I’ll protect you.” He’s traveled with me around the world. He’s saved my life more than once, and now he has access to presidents of nations. Many people are jealous of his achievements because he does not have a college degree or a fancy Christian pedigree. My friend Pasqual has been qualified by obedience, chiseled by adversity, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. He’s become known as the janitor who is changing nations.

I can promise you God will do great things through you like He is doing through my friend Pasqual because you’re a miracle.

Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-19, Romans 8:28

What are you making?

What is the number one goal of the Great Commission? Is it to win lots of people to Christ? Is it to feed the hungry? Is it to build big crowds or have wonderful Christian concerts? Is it to build big buildings and have a million followers? Is it to create a cure for COVID-19 or care for an elderly grandma? The answer is no, no, no, no, and no. These are not the number one goals of the mission from God.

What do you think is the foremost goal of the Great Commission?

Let’s go back to the foundational Bible verse that set this whole mission into action: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,’” (Matthew 28:18-19, NIV).

What does this commandment mean to you? Notice God is not suggesting we disciple nations—He’s commanding us to do it. That sounds so overwhelming if you’re trying to make a living, care for children, run a business, or be happy. Would you agree the number one goal of the Great Commission is to make disciples of all nations? Yes? Great! So do I. Now we can ask the next logical follow-up question: how can a normal person like me make disciples of all nations? 

You can’t do it alone, but you can do your part. God has a special assignment for you. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV)

I played several team sports as a youngster. Each team and sport had a distinct set of rules, but a common thread tied them together: every player had to find his/her position and assignment. The Great Commission requires us to find our positions, play for the team, and fulfill our assignments.

Would you commit to finding your position and assignment? Will you commit to being part of the greatest mission of all time?

If you answer yes, then you truly become a miracle.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12:18, 1 Corinthians 12:27

Have you found your position?

God is calling each one of us to play a significant role in the Great Commission. If you are like me, finding that divine assignment has been very difficult. It’s difficult because it can change with time and experience.

Do you know your divine assignment? Has it changed recently? Has COVID-19 caused you to rethink your career, calling, and course?

As a young hockey player in Europe, I was much better than most of the kids my age. Eventually, the league promoted me to the professional team at the age of fifteen. I had quite a rude awakening to professional sports in Europe. I was a kid in a man’s world, so I decided to leave my family at 16 years old to make my way back to Canada. There was one major problem with that choice: I wasn’t a “superstar” any more. I no longer played my position. I was undisciplined and neglected my assignments. I had to learn to play my new position and do it well.

You can find your position and fulfill your assignment. You will be a vital member of the Great Commission team. Whether it’s a small assignment or a large one, it’s important to God. The Bible says, “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (1 Corinthians 12:18, NIV) You have a big part to play in the mission of Jesus. Don’t forget we are called to disciple nations by teaching one person at a time to obey God. 

The Apostle Paul reminded us that “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27, NIV) We are the body of Christ. We work together to bring heaven to earth, one life at a time. We teach people to obey Christ and serve Him with joy. They’ll learn how to live abundant lives.

You’re a miracle because you are part of the winning team, God’s Great Commission team.

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-19

What is the mission? 

The Great Commission is an invitation to participate in the download of heaven’s kingdom to the earth realm. It is so amazing to be invited to the greatest mission of all time. 

Do you know what the mission is? Most Christians in North America have lost sight of the mission, so please don’t feel guilty. I’d love to describe the mission to you so you can join in and invite others to participate as well. Jesus commanded, “‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,’” (Matthew 28:19, NIV). 

1. It starts with the word “therefore.” It’s important to understand that the mission is built on the verse before “therefore,” Matthew 28:18: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me.’” (Matthew 28:18, NIV) Jesus has all authority! Therefore… 
2. The second important word is “go.” Think about that, meditate on it, and philosophize about it. Jesus is saying, “I have all authority in Heaven and Earth; therefore it’s time to GO.” The Great Commission is an active mission. 
3. The third set of words tells us where we should go: “into all the world.” 

I believe human nature compels most of us to strive for comfort and stability. The Great Commission is destabilizing. It invites me to do things that are hard, uncomfortable, and countercultural. 

God is inviting you to participate in the Great Commission. He thinks you are crucial for the success of this mission. The great missionary Jim Elliot once journaled these words before he was violently murdered by the ones he was trying to reach: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.” 

Most of us will not be martyred when we participate in this mission, but we will surely need to give, sacrifice, forgive, pray, love, and lead people. We will start companies that serve our communities; we will help addicts and single moms. We’ll visit the elderly and feed the poor. We’ll build strong families and friendships. We’ll be the light of the world and partner with God in the Great Commission. 

That’s why you’re a miracle.