TAKE THE NEXT STEP – Missions

How do I get to heaven?

I asked that question to Gemini, Google’s artificial intelligence app. Here is some of what I got in response: “The question of how to get to heaven is one of the most significant inquiries in human history, and the answer depends entirely on the religious or philosophical tradition you look to.” 

In considering the various world religions, it stated that Christianity is unique in that the core belief is that heaven is a gift of grace rather than something earned.

Then I followed up with another question: If Christianity is true, then what does this mean for other religions and humanity in general?

Here’s the response:  “If Christianity is true, it means that while all people possess immense value as beings made in the ‘image of God,’  Jesus Christ is the unique bridge between humanity and the Creator.”

That’s not bad for an AI, but let’s stick with what Jesus Himself said –
I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Or as one of Jesus’ closest followers Peter would say of Him – 
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4;12)

Salvation is found in Jesus only Jesus! And if we are convinced this is true, then we must also be convinced that it is our responsibility as individual believers and as a church to bring people to faith in Jesus. What a massive task!

I imagine Jesus’ disciples must have had similar feelings about it when the Jesus whom they had seen crucified, buried, and resurrected gave them this commission:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His followers – 
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,  and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

What Jesus gives us is a mission, but He gives us so much more!
Jesus gives us His authority.
Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us.
Jesus gives us His abiding presence.

So with Jesus’ authority, with His presence, and with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Jesus gives us a mission to make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching starting where we are and reaching out to the nations.

If you are a Christian, then this is YOUR commission.

We are disciples who make disciples who make disciples who make disciples, and the process goes on and on until Jesus comes to take us all home.

And what will be the results? In Revelation, John saw –
… a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb …(Revelation 7:9)

Since this is our mission, it is not only good but essential that we consider what our next step may be in this mission. Here are some suggestions:

PRAY – 

• Pray daily for one person who needs to come to faith in Jesus.
• Add a missionary or missionaries to your prayer list. (IMB has a list of missionaries divided by birthdays so that you could pray for them on their birthday.)
• Pray for opportunities to share your faith with one person each week.

GIVE – 

• Give to your local church.
• Give to special offerings – Benevolence, Missions Offerings.
• Give to ministry and missions organizations that are gospel-focused.

GO – 

• Commit to sharing the gospel each week.
• Invite family, friends, co-workers, fellow students, neighbors, etc. to come to small group or worship with you.
• Open your home for a small group Bible study.
• Consider connecting with one of our mission trips. (Wears Valley Ranch, Global Samaritans in Zambia, or BIG HOPE’s ministry in the Dominican Republic)
• Say “yes” to serving in a local ministry that proclaims Jesus.

Ask the Lord – 
What would you have me do? 
What is the next step you want me to take?