Musing – Why is the “Great Commission” not being taught?

Hebraic Musing – Why is the “Great Commission” not being taught?

Did you know that according to a recent survey more than half of U.S. churchgoers have not heard of the Great Commission?*  And many don’t recognize which well-known passage typically goes by that name!  What does that say about (a) sermon content, (b) engagement of “Christians”, (c) biblical literacy, or (d) their acceptance of Jesus as their LORD?

However, part of the problem could be that the words “Great Commission” are not specifically stated in the Bible?  There are a number of verses which could be called a “Great Commission”.  Examples:

·      Matt 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” NIV

·      Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

·      Luke 24:47-49  “and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you…” 

·      Matt 9:38  “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

·      John 20:21  "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

·      John 4:38  “I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. …”

·      Acts 1:8  “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."

·      Luke 10:1-3  “…the Lord … sent them … "The harvest is plentiful,… Go! I am sending you out…”

And there are similar messages in the Epistles and an example from the calling of a Prophet:

·      Rom 10:15  And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 

·      Acts 28:28  “…God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" 

·      Acts 2:16-21  Peter speaking – “… this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people … And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”

·      Isa 6:8  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!"

How fast would the church grow if we simply obeyed Jesus?  How can a Christian not feel a calling to spread the Good News considering all the ‘red letter” instructions from Jesus quoted in the bible? 

And what is the Good News we are commissioned to deliver?  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 

Points to ponder

Why are Christians reluctant to tell to the world what John 3:16 is about?

If a church feeds the poor as their service to God;
                          the people they feed might still be going to hell!

If a “Christian” does not feel like sharing, what is his/her problem?

How many “worship” songs are about Outreach or Evangelism?

Do we “love our neighbor as ourselves” if we do not share Jesus?

♫  Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; … That Jesus Christ is born. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          April 30, 2019  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”   “insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com”

*  Source - Inspired by and excerpted from a recent Barna Group study (available on request).