We can have clarity on our part of the mission by getting clear on four focal points of the great commission.

1. We are Sent: a sending focus (John 20:19-21)
   Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (Joh 20:19-21)

• Sometimes we go down one of two paths: sending path (pray, give) or sent path (go).
• We really need to be sending and going!
• Jesus is both the sent one and the sender.
• The church, as the body of Christ, is both a sent people and a sending people.
• Jesus said if you’re a follower of Him then you are sent.

2. We are Sent to all peoples: a people focus (Matthew 28:18-20)
   And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Mat 28:18-20)

• Scripture declares that you and I as Christians are sent to “all nations.”
• The word translated “nations” here is the word “ethnos”- speaking of people groups.
• This passage tells of a pivotal moment in God’s mission to reach all people groups.
• Christians need a heart for the nations because God has a heart for the nations.
• We live in amazing times; did you know that people are moving from all over the world to this country?
  • There are more than 584 unreached people groups in the US!
  • We can reach the nations now without even getting on a plane!
  • We need to send more missionaries across the seas, but we also need to go and make disciples of all nations right outside our doors. Sometimes the nations are right next door!
• Too often Christians seem to be interested in other things, but we forget that we have been reached by those who have gone out to the uttermost.

3. We are sent to all peoples with a message: a Gospel centered focus. (Luke 24:46-48; Mark 16:15)
   And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. (Luk 24:46-48)

Mark 16:15

(15)  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

• The third aspect of the Great Commission of Jesus helps remind us of the Gospel message.
• The message of the Gospel must never lose it central focus in missions
• At the center of the Gospel message is repentance and forgiveness of sins.
• The unfortunate truth is that sometimes churches get sidetrack by good things and lose the centrality of the Gospel message.
• Across this globe, God uses different kinds of churches to accomplish His mission, He uses the mega church in the Philippines and the underground house church in China. Both are good, and both need to keep the proclamation of the Gospel as the main thing.
• Churches absolutely need to be involved in doing good, but always remember, a bowl of rice and a pair of shoes is no substitute for the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• It is this message of the cross and the empty tomb that Christ has given to us to proclaim.

4. We are sent to all peoples with a message empowered by the Spirit: A Spirit Focus. (Acts 1:8)
   But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Act 1:8)

• If you know Christ as Savior, God wants to use you to share the Gospel. He doesn’t intend for you to do it on your own.
• If you are saved you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you. The Spirit indwells us and empowers us to accomplish the Great Commission.
• When we look at these 4 aspects of the Great Commission, we see ourselves as people that are sent to every people group with the message of Gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• This is the clear vision Christ has given to us.

Application:

Here are 4 ways to apply today’s lesson:

Do you know Christ as Savior?

• The Bible says that our sin separates us from God and must be punished. God sent Jesus Christ, His Son, as a perfect sacrifice for our sin. He died on the cross and rose from the dead so that you and I could be forgiven.  Have you been saved?  Today could be the day that you need to accept Christ as Savior.  You can be saved and know it!

If you are sent, then you need to be going.

• If you are saved then you are sent. Do you share the Gospel?  When was the last time you shared the Gospel with a neighbor, friend, family member, co-worker or stranger?
• Who are you praying for right now to be saved?

Are you helping others to go through your giving to our faith promise missions program?

• We can’t be every place that the Gospel is needed, but we can and do support people who are being sent with the Gospel all over the world. This effort takes financial support.  God’s plan for funding this effort is through our faithful and sacrificial giving!  Are you giving to missions at CBT?

Are you helping others to go through prayer?

• Prayer is so vitally important to the mission’s effort. Are you praying for our missionaries?  Are you praying for the ministry of CBT?
• A list of our missionaries is available in the bookstore.
• MPG’s (Missionary Prayer Groups) meet monthly on the 1^st Sunday at 4:15pm in the MPR to read missionary letters and pray for our missionaries.