The Great work of the Church.

go and make disciples of all nations

Why has Jesus not come again? Why has Christ not returned after nearly 2000 years? Because the church has not finished its great work of evangelising the nations, tribes, people and languages. Jesus gave us the Great Commission five times after the resurrection. The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity. The gospel of Jesus Christ is about the living Christ and not just a dead prophet. Moses and Muhammad all died, only Jesus rose from the dead. Muslims can go to the grave of Muhammad, but there is no grave for Christ only an empty tomb, because he rose from the dead.

The great work of the church is to preach the gospel to the whole earth.

(Mat 24:14 NIV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Revelation tells us that He died, but He is alive for ever and ever. We worship a living saviour and not some dead prophet.

Rev 1:18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Revelation tells us the people who are purchased by the blood of Christ; are from every tribe and language and people and nation.

(Rev 5:9 NIV) And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Revelation tells us the extent of the people who will be in heaven; from every nation, tribe, people and language.

Rev 7:9 (NIV) After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Revelation tells us the extent of the people who will have the gospel proclaimed to; from every nation, tribe, language and people.

(Rev 14:6 NIV) Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people.

Mat 13:31 tells us that the kingdom of heaven will start small but will grow to be large and will be extensive.

(Mat 13:31-33 NIV) He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. {32} Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." {33} He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

An angel in Revelations indicates the people to whom the gospel must be preached; to every nation, tribe, language and people.

(Rev 14:6-7) Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people. {7} He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."

Paul and Barnabus turned to the Gentiles saying "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"" (Acts 13:47). They were quoting as a command for themselves Isa 49:6 see also Isa 42:6-7 which were words speaking about the suffering servant Jesus Christ. We are the body of Christ on earth, we are his hands, feet and mouth and it is through us that the gospel will be preached to all nations.

The rich Christians in the West have a responsibility to finance the gospel in the poorer countries such as India - where there are plenty of workers but little money. See Links

The Great Commission.

Delivered 5 times with 5 emphasis. All after the resurrection.

1: Matthew 28:18:

Mat 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations (ethnos), baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Notes: First Jesus has all authority on earth. We are to make disciples of all nations on the earth, over which Jesus has authority. Jesus is with us to the end of the age which implies that we will be making disciples up to the end. The Greek word ethnos which is translated as nations can mean - race, tribe, nation, people, Gentiles.

2: Mark 16:15:

Mark 16:15-20 (NIV) He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Note: It is implied here that evangelism is to be accompanied by the gifts of the Spirit. Luke 24:49, John 20:22 and Acts 1:8 all mention the Holy Spirit. If evangelism is to be effective we must have the power of the Holy Spirit.

3: Luke 24:45:

Luke 24:45-49 (NIV) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

4: John 20:20:

John 20:20-23 (NIV) After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

5. Acts1:8 (Note these are the Lord's last words to the disciples)

Acts 1:5-8 (NIV) For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

There are other places in scripture were witnessing is accompanied by the Holy Spirit, see Mat 10:18-20, Mark 13:9-11, Luke 24:48-49, Acts 2:32-33, 5:32 Rev 11:3-4, 22:17

We even find a hint of the great commission in the messianic Psalm 2. Also see Dan 7:14.

Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

(Dan 7:14 NIV) He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

God's promise to Abraham: The great commission is the outworking and fulfilment of God's promise to Abraham to bless the earth through his offspring (Jesus):

(Gen 12:3 NIV) I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

(Gen 18:18 NIV) Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.

(Gen 22:18 NIV) and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." see also Gal 3:14-16

(Gal 3:14-16 NIV) He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. {15} Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. {16} The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.

The promise was confirmed to Isaac

(Gen 26:4 NIV) I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,

The promise was also confirmed to Jacob

(Gen 28:14 NIV) Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.

At the start of Jesus ministry the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and said that he would give them to Jesus if he would worship the devil.

(Luke 4:5-7 NIV) The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. {6} And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. {7} So if you worship me, it will all be yours."

Jesus has authority on the earth. At the end of Jesus ministry Jesus says "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Mat 28:18) and he then commands his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations". Jesus has all authority not only in heaven but on the earth, the devil does not have all authority on earth, do we believe this? When Paul was saved he was commanded to go to the Jews and Gentiles to turn them from the power of Satan to God. We have authority to plunder Satan's kingdom.

(Acts 26:16-18 NIV) 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. {17} I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them {18} to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Needless to say the devil will not give up his kingdom without a fight and in Eph 6:10-20 Paul tells us to 'be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power' and to put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the devil's schemes.

(Eph 6:10-20 NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. {11} Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. {12} For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. {13} Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. {14} Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, {15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. {16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. {17} Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. {18} And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. {19} Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, {20} for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

God is a missionary God:

(John 3:17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Just as God sent Jesus into the world, so Jesus sends us into the world.

John 20:20-23 (NIV). 21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

The desire of the Father is that the Son must have a wedding and there must be a wedding feast, the wedding hall must be full of guests (Mat 22:1-14).

(Mat 22:1-14) Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: {2} "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. {3} He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. {4} "Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' {5} "But they paid no attention and went off--one to his field, another to his business. {6} The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. {7} The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. {8} "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. {9} Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' {10} So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. {11} "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. {12} 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. {13} "Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' {14} "For many are invited, but few are chosen."

(Luke 14:16-24) Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. {17} At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' {18} "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' {19} "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' {20} "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.' {21} "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' {22} "'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.' {23} "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. {24} I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'"

(Rev 19:7-9) Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. {8} Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) {9} Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God."

What can I do?How You Can Help Fulfill the Great Commission

Pray:

(Luke 10:2) He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask (pray, petition, beseech) the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Give to overseas missions work, especially indigenous evangelism by local people.

For a more detailed treatment of the Great Commission in the context of a more optimistic eschatology see my essay on the biblical basis for postmillennialism

Check out the links below:

Links:

1. How You Can Help Fulfill the Great Commission - Campus Crusade
2. The Great Commission - Near and Far in Word and Deed
3. The Millennium Is For Missions by Rev. Vernon Pollema
4. Great Commission Ministries
5. Global Advance
6. The Christian Missions Home Page
7. United States Center for World Mission
8. The Great Commission .Com

Mission groups

1. Gospel for Asia Ministries
2. Campus Crusade Home Page
3. AD2000 and Beyond Movement
4. CBN WorldReach
5. World Missions Far Corners
6. International Bible Society
7. TransWorld Radio
8. FEBA Radio(UK) or FEBC(USA)
9. Operation Mobilisation
10. GCI International Film Ministry
11. Christian and Missionary Alliance (unreached people groups and prayer)
12. International Bible Society South Asia

Books linked to

1. Let the Nations Be Glad! : The Supremacy of God in Missions by John Piper
2. Operation World by Patrick Johnstone
3. A Mind for Missions: Ten Ways to Build Your World Vision by Paul Borthwick
4. William Carey by Basil Miller
5. Missions by Gailyn Van Rheenen
6. Kingdom Concerns -A theology of mission today - K. Gnanakan
7. The Great Omission by Robertson McQuilkin

It only costs about $15-20 a month to support a local evangelist in India, see details of a Bible School that I support in India.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the corner-stone of Christianity, without it then Christianity would be still-born. For a bit more on the resurrection see my article on blind faith.