Work: A Gift of God
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
This Scripture is often called the Great Commission of the Church and the mandate of the local congregation. But some think that Gospel outreach is only the work of those the church calls, sends and supports — like pastors, teachers and missionaries. But if the spread of the Gospel of Christ is not the work of every Christian church member, how is it going to be the emphasis of what they do together as a congregation? When Jesus spoke these words He was not speaking only to His apostles but to all His disciples – then and now.
In 18th Century England a 17-year-old cobbler named William Carey was brought to faith in Jesus. He was filled with a burning desire to be an instrument of God in bringing others to faith in Christ. After he became a pastor he was confronted by a neighbor who felt he spent too much time preaching — to the neglect of his shoe business. He replied, “My real business is to preach the gospel and win lost souls. I cobble shoes to pay expenses.”
No matter where God has put us, what gifts He has given us, or what responsibilities He has placed upon us, Job #1 is to speak to others about our Savior. One of the most important places we are to do this is in our own home. After all, the Good News of Jesus is not only the Spirit’s tool to bring us to Christ, it is the means He uses to grow our faith and equip each of us to share our greatest blessing.
His strength within my weakness
Will make me bold to say
How His redeeming power
Transforms my stubborn clay;
His touch of fire ignites me,
With courage I am sent,
My tongue-tied silence broken,
With grace made eloquent.
Worship Supplement 772:3