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And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
MARK 16:15
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Thank You
From all of us at Back to the Bible Canada, THANK YOU for helping us reach our December year-end financial goal of $427,000. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR FAITHFUL AND GENEROUS SUPPORT!
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What's Inside
FEBRUARY + MARCH 2019
PAG E 4
The Missionary God Dr. John Neufeld PAG E 6
Our Exciting Call to Missions Dr. John Neufeld PAG E 1 0
Eat Up
PAGE 9
Dr. John's Bible Reading Plan March + April 2019
Phil Callaway PAG E 12
Money, Mission and Compassion Ryan McCurdy and Barry Slauenwhite PAG E 14
Equipping Christian Leaders in India A.P. Anil Kumar PAG E 1 6
Now the World Lives in My Neighbourhood Ben Lowell
PAG E 1 8
Understanding the Great Commission Jonathan Neufeld
DR. JOHN'S CORNER
THE MISSIO Dr. John Neufeld Well known internationally for his excellence in expositional Bible teaching, Dr. Neufeld is passionate about bringing the truth of God’s Word to life across Canada and beyond.
W
hen talking about missions, we often begin the discussion in the wrong place. The conversation very quickly centers on either the large areas of the world that still remain unevangelized, or it might turn to the call to missions, asking for a new generation to put their hands to the plow and take up the call. We might also speak about the changing face of missions and the necessity of local leadership in every culture. We might even speak about greater awareness of missions in local congregation, as well as the need for a greater awareness of the world. Finally, one often hears the call of mission as it relates to the great commission found in Matthew 28:18-20. I am in favour of all of these things, but I think that none of these conversations are the starting place of missions. Any talk of missions
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must begin and end with a greater understanding of the glory of God and His purposes in the creation. When we talk about the God’s glory, we are really talking about God’s greatness and His perfections. When the Apostle Paul was on missions in the city of Athens, he was proclaiming God’s glory. Acts 17:2425a records him as saying, “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything.” This is foundational to missions. We don’t respond to the call of missions because God needs us. God is not served by human hands, nor is He a needy God. He is the glorious God, the God of unlimited resources, whose power and wisdom know no end.
ONARY GOD If this is so, what then is missions? The answer must surely be found in Habakkuk 2:14. For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Creation does not make God more glorious, as if God were looking for something to complete Him. God was not lonely before He made the world, nor does the created world add any glory to God. But creation is an outward expression of God’s glory. Much like an artist who creates a work of art expressing a beauty he or she might find within, so also the creation expresses the altogether loveliness of the eternal God. But in His wise providence, God has determined that the creation would progressively be filled with His glory. The story of this great enterprise begins with the actual creation and
is further unfolded as man fell from God, and is ultimately shown in God sending His Son into the world. The cross is the pinnacle of God’s glory. It expresses God’s hatred of sin, His unfaltering righteousness, His kindness toward sinners and His love. Nothing expresses God’s infinite beauty like the death and resurrection of His own dear Son. Missions is the glad proclamation of the glory of God in the face of His chosen Messiah. As we call upon men and women to bend the knee and call Christ Lord, we see God progressively filling the creation with the glory of Christ. In this sense, missions is never about us. It is always about an altogether lovely God.
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DR. JOHN'S CORNER
OUR EXCITING CALL TO MISSIONS Dr. John Neufeld Well known internationally for his excellence in expositional Bible teaching, Dr. Neufeld is passionate about bringing the truth of God’s Word to life across Canada and beyond.
I
recently had breakfast with two men I have known for many years. One of them has taken a new position in a parachurch ministry, aimed at helping churches reach out to Canada’s growing immigrant population. He told me that he was saddened at how many churches were not responsive to the growing number of new Canadians who have come from countries around the world. After our meeting, this brother sent me an article in which some in the governing Liberal Party are projecting immigration levels close to half a million people a year.
3) China 4) Iran 5) Pakistan.
I decided to do some research. In 2015, Canada took in 271,660 immigrants from various countries, up 4.4% from the previous year. 49% of Canada’s immigrants in 2015 came from only five countries. I list them in order of the number of immigrants. 1) Philippines 2) India
Putting it all together, any church or denomination that prays about reaching our nation for Christ that does not have an active understanding and plan for reaching out to people from those five nations simply is not taking its mandate seriously. To simply try to continue
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Now contrast these numbers with live births in Canada during the same year. Stats Canada reports that 2015 saw 392,902 births. That would mean that about 40% of our growth came as a result of immigration. Of course, in order to understand the nature of growth, Canada also saw 269,012 deaths in the same year, and so in order to understand the net gain in this country, that number also must be figured in. But that would make the net gain of immigrants to be even higher than the 40%.
to reach people from European heritage who are among the most resistant to the Gospel is madness at best. Because of the high number of people from the Philippines, the Roman Catholic church has grown remarkably. In the first decade of the 21st century, the Roman Catholic church grew by about a half a million people. Furthermore, as Reginald Bibby reports, the Catholic church is the leader of Canadian churches in its ability to retain its people. But a great many of the Chinese immigrants in Canada are highly receptive to the Gospel, as are a great many Iranians, if we became intentional. Since Back to the Bible Canada is beginning its ministry in India, I have memorized a new approach when speaking to Indian immigrants into Canada. I invite them to consider the Christian faith, for it has been in India for 2000 years.
come to three thoughts regarding the changing nature of Canada, the church and our call to missions. 1. Many cultures that arrive in Canada find talk about God and spiritual reality to be natural and easy. If we befriend immigrants, we can be in a very easy place to share the Gospel. It’s welcomed. 2. Acts 17:26 says that God determined allotted periods and the boundaries of the dwelling places of all peoples on earth. If God determines the times and places where people live, we must assume that He has determined this period of massive immigration into Canada. 3. I believe that, if we have eyes to see it, this could become the greatest period of missions that the church in Canada has seen. Indeed, let’s pray for this very thing.
But, putting it all together, I have
THE MISSIONARY GOD MISSIONS FROM A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
Dr. John Neufeld examines the concept of missions from a biblical perspective and what it actually means. Missions is not mission where no churches are built and men and women are not called to follow Jesus. Missions is about God’s glory first and human need second. A 10-message series.
$11.00 (PLUS SHIPPING & TAXES) TO ORDER, CALL 1.800.663.2425 OR ORDER ONLINE AT STORE.BACKTOTHEBIBLE.CA
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B I B L I C A L T R U T H . E N G A G I N G C U LT U R E . TRUTH and LIFE Today with Dr. John Neufeld is a program to help answer questions about current culture from a biblical perspective.
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Dr. Neufeld's Daily Bible Reading Plan MARCH 2019
APRIL 2019
1. Numbers 20-22; Mark 7:1-13
1. Judges 13-15; Luke 6:27-49
2. Numbers 23-25; Mark 7:14-37
2. Judges 16-18; Luke 7:1-30
3. Numbers 26-28; Mark 8
3. Judges 19-21; Luke 7:31-50
4. Numbers 29-31; Mark 9:1-29
4. Ruth 1-4; Luke 8:1-25
5. Numbers 32-34; Mark 9:30-50
5. 1 Samuel 1-3; Luke 8:26-56
6. Numbers 35-36; Mark 10:1-31
6. 1 Samuel 4-6; Luke 9:1-17
7. Deuteronomy 1-3; Mark 10:32-52
7. 1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 9:18-36
8. Deuteronomy 4-6; Mark 11:1-18
8. 1 Samuel 10-12; Luke 9:37-62
9. Deuteronomy 7-9; Mark 11:19-33
9. 1 Samuel 13-14; Luke 10:1-24
10. Deuteronomy 10-12; Mark 12:1-27
10. 1 Samuel 15-16; Luke 10:25-42
11. Deuteronomy 13-15; Mark 12:28-44
11. 1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 11:1-28
12. Deuteronomy 16-18; Mark 13:1-20
12. 1 Samuel 19-21; Luke 11:29-54
13. Deuteronomy 19-21; Mark 13:21-37
13. 1 Samuel 22-24; Luke 12:1-31
14. Deuteronomy 22-24; Mark 14:1-26
14. 1 Samuel 25-26; Luke 12:32-59
15. Deuteronomy 25-27; Mark 14:27-53
15. 1 Samuel 27-29; Luke 13:1-22
16. Deuteronomy 28-29; Mark 14:54-72
16. 1 Samuel 30-31; Luke 13:23-35
17. Deuteronomy 30-31; Mark 15:1-25
17. 2 Samuel 1-2; Luke 14:1-24
18. Deuteronomy 32-34; Mark 15:26-47
18. 2 Samuel 3-5; Luke 14:25-35
19. Joshua 1-3; Mark 16
19. 2 Samuel 6-8; Luke 15:1-10
20. Joshua 4-6; Luke 1:1-20
20. 2 Samuel 9-11; Luke 15:11-32
21. Joshua 7-9; Luke 1:21-38
21. 2 Samuel 12-13; Luke 16
22. Joshua 10-12; Luke 1:39-56
22. 2 Samuel 14-15; Luke 17:1-19
23. Joshua 13-15; Luke 1:57-80
23. 2 Samuel 16-18; Luke 17:20-37
24. Joshua 16-18; Luke 2:1-24
24. 2 Samuel 19-20; Luke 18:1-23
25. Joshua 19-21; Luke 2:25-52
25. 2 Samuel 21-22; Luke 18:24-43
26. Joshua 22-24; Luke 3
26. 2 Samuel 23-24; Luke 19:1-27
27. Judges 1-3; Luke 4:1-30
27. 1 Kings 1-2; Luke 19:28-48
28. Judges 4-6; Luke 4:31-44
28. 1 Kings 3-5; Luke 20:1-26
29. Judges 7-8; Luke 5:1-16
29. 1 Kings 6-7; Luke 20:27-47
30. Judges 9-10; Luke 5:17-39
30. 1 Kings 8-9; Luke 21:1-19
31. Judges 11-12; Luke 6:1-26
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EAT Phil Callaway Phil is an author and host of Laugh Again. He has five grandchildren. They wear name tags.
A
young bride was struggling with her cooking. Nothing seemed to work. Her husband came home one day to find her in the kitchen crying. “The dog ate the biscuits,” she sobbed. He put his arm around her and said, “That’s ok honey, we can get another dog.” Have you ever eaten something unusual? The French entertainer, Michel Lotito, known as Mister EatIt-All, was famous for consuming large quantities of indigestible objects. Like my daughter when she was two. Michel’s performances involved the consumption of metal, glass, rubber and other materials. Lotito’s method for eating all of this metal was to break it into small pieces before swallowing it. Throughout his unusual career, Michel chowed down 18 bicycles, 15 shopping carts, 7 televisions, and 8 chandeliers. He ingested 2 beds, 1 pair of skis, 1 Cessna aircraft, 1 coffin, 1 computer and innumerable 10
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smaller items. It is estimated that between 1959 and 1997, Lotito ate nearly nine tons of metal. He died of natural causes (I find this hard to believe) 10 days after his 57th birthday. Now I hope Michel left a good legacy for his family. But his story reminds me of a question we need to ask if we’re going to live with joy. What will be remembered for? In 1873 people lined the streets of London to mourn the passing of the celebrated missionary doctor to Africa, David Livingstone. As the body was carried to its final resting place, one man wept openly. A friend consoled him, asking if he had known Livingstone well. “I weep not for Livingstone,” the man said, “I weep for myself. Livingstone lived and died for something. I have lived for nothing.” Livingstone’s life motto was this: “I will place no value on anything I have or possess, except in its relationship to the
UP kingdom of God.” What a life. What a legacy. The chances are good that our names will never appear in the record books. And it’s unlikely that people will line the streets to mourn our passing. But we can change the world for a few people today, by using the gifts and talents we’ve been given, by living a life that points people to Jesus. “You are the salt of the earth,” Jesus told us in Matthew 5, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before
others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Let’s give some time today to things that last. God’s love is in us; let’s let some out today. Find out what you do well, and do it. You’ll bring joy to others? And if the family pet leaves the room during dinner, you may want to look for your spiritual gift outside the kitchen.
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MONEY, MISSION AND COMPASSION Ryan McCurdy Ryan is the host of indoubt as well as the young adults pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church. He lives in South Surrey, BC with his wife, Kat, and his newborn son, Wesley.
Interview with Barry Slauenwhite, CEO of Compassion Canada
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ecently, we had the opportunity to have a conversation with Barry Slauenwhite, CEO of Compassion Canada. As one of the world’s leading child development organizations, Compassion partners with the local church in 25 countries to end poverty in the lives of children and their families. Our discussion focused on how we can strategically show compassion to the poor. Below is an excerpt from our conversation. Ryan McCurdy: Barry, would you be able to tell us about yourself and how you got to where you are today? Barry Slauenwhite: I accepted Christ as my Saviour at the age of five, a young boy in a tiny little country church. It was at that early tender age that I began my relationship with God. In those early years, I actually became quite close to God, from my perspective. He was not this far away deity.
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God and I were friends, we talked throughout the day, we talked regularly. That's an important piece, because my entire life, the last 35 years, has been devoted to children that age. Those early years when I accepted Jesus as my Saviour, most of the adults thought, "Oh, isn't that cute?" They had no concept of what God would do with that young little boy's life. I had no concept of that. In my role at Compassion, I travel the globe. I've ministered in 61 countries. I have preached the Gospel to hundreds of thousands of people. I have seen with my own eyes hundreds of thousands of children and their families come to Christ. When I look back at age five, I'm going, "How many more children that age are being dismissed as, 'Isn't that cute?'" Maybe not even strategically being presented with the Gospel, because we as adults think, "What's the point? They're not old enough to understand." So, that was a key moment in my life that really framed the journey the God took me on.
Ryan McCurdy: I know you have a book out called Strategic Compassion. One of the questions I have is, what are you seeing as a response from Canadians? Are they eager to get involved? Barry Slauenwhite: Yes. Canadians are generous, especially Canadian Christians. We all feel either an obligation or a need or a passion to help those in need, the poor. Here's the problem though: Most Canadian Christians' worldview is formed in them by media, by advertising, by marketing. If you look closely at the media messages about poverty, you're not going to hear a holistic message. You're gonna hear an urgent appeal message. And so, over time we have been conditioned to respond with money. You've watched the commercials, right?
have been thrown at poverty. If money was the answer, we can wipe our hands, we've done our job. Why today then are we in just as bad of shape as we were 20, 30 years ago? It's because money is not the answer. Money is one piece of the answer. But poverty isn't created by a lack of money. And in the book, I'm basically taking you through a theology of poverty. I take you right back to Genesis 1 where we see the origin of poverty. I built the case that poverty is a spiritual condition first before it is an economic condition. So, if our application to poverty is only economic, then we are missing a huge component of what alleviates poverty.
Ryan McCurdy: Yes. Barry Slauenwhite: What are they asking for? Call this number, give us your credit card. I'm not slamming the organizations that do that. What I'm appealing to is for Christians to say that that's not good enough. So, why did I write this book? I wrote this book simply because over these many years of conversing with Canadian Christians, my heart's been heavy to understand that they think the answer to poverty is more money. If that is true, we'd have solved this problem decades ago. Because I can tell you, hundreds of millions into the billions of dollars
Visit www.compassion.ca to learn more about Compassion Canada and how they are working hard to end poverty, in Jesus' name.
www.compassion.ca
Equipping Christian Leaders in India. A.P. Anil Kumar Anil is the Assosiate Director of Back to the Bible India.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:3-5)
I
am excited to write this brief letter seeking your prayer and financial support for the upcoming Back to the Bible Pastors & Leaders Equipping Conference hosted in India this June, 2019. In line with its vision, Back to the Bible India endeavours to provide sound biblical teaching through pastors conference training, as well as Bible teaching resources available through radio, Internet, mobile technology and in print. In partnership with Back to the Bible Canada, the first pastors conference was held in February 2017, welcoming over 300 pastors representing a great number of churches and denominations. Here are a few of the pastors’ comments:
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• “After attending this conference, I have decided to study God’s Word diligently, apply it in my personal life, and give the appropriate amount of time to prepare my sermons well before they are taught.” – Suhas, from Pune • “I was blessed and inspired by the teaching of Dr. Neufeld.” – Sukanya, from Pune • “Because of this conference, I now understand the critical importance of the study of the Scripture text.” – Karuna, from Hyderabad In 2017, the pastors in attendance – many of which travelled great distances by train, bus and on foot – were delighted with the opportunity to be under the biblical instruction of Dr. John Neufeld, so much so that they have eagerly awaited the opportunity to return. The conference in 2017 provided an ideal opportunity to encourage pastors, most of whom minister in
very difficult circumstances. The conference offered much needed personal support, biblical insight, and a biblical perspective on effective Bible teaching. Pastors were given the time for personal networking and direct interaction with Dr. Neufeld and the Back to the Bible ministry team including Back to the Bible Canada representatives Ben Lowell and Steve Biggerstaff. A formal time was also provided to engage Dr. Neufeld with questions related to expositional teaching, theology, personal spiritual growth and ministry at large. The church in India currently is facing one of its most challenging seasons. On one side, there is an increasing presence of false teaching taking place within the church, while on the other side there is the growing persecution of local churches, pastors and believers, threatening the freedom of worship and practice of Christian faith. Therefore, the importance of equipping and strengthening pastors and Christian leaders with the truth of God’s Word is critical in the midst of persecution. The 2019 conference will continue to build of the efforts of 2017 for this purpose. Please join with us as we prayerfully prepare for the 2019 Pastors & Christian leaders Bible Conference in Delhi and Hyderabad. Pray that God would grant them safety as for those attending travel and that God would continue to protect them as
they courageously serve the local church. The goal of this conferences is to empower, encourage, train and provide resources that will ultimately strengthen the local church, and effectively disciple and equip our Indian brothers and sisters in Christ. This 2019 conference is only made possible through your valuable prayers and sacrificial giving. Your gifts directly facilitate all the related costs of the conference, including providing those in attendance with much needed accommodation, meals and resource materials. On behalf of Back to the Bible India, thank you for your kindness and gracious support. God is doing a great work despite the very real challenges. Your participation in supporting the Bible teaching broadcast in India, as well as the 2019 Pastors & Christian leaders Bible Conference offerings, are blessings far beyond what you might imagine. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.
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Now the World Lives in My Neighbourhood. Ben Lowell Ben is the CEO of the Good News Broadcasting Association of Canada.
out to the nations, I am exhilarated to know that the Gospel is being spread to people of such a wide diversity of backgrounds. I think God is pleased with this. This is how the early church was formed. To reach out to a multitude of different people groups is God’s call.” Reflecting on the history of Back to the Bible Canada, it becomes clear that God has positioned this ministry with the unique opportunity to share the good news of Jesus, both nationally and globally! Recently God has allowed the...
Jesus said, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15 ESV)
W
alking through a mall recently, it dawned on me that the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19 had arrived on my doorstep. In the past, the North American church has been privileged to “send” missionaries to distant lands for the purpose of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Now, the world lives in my neighbourhood. People groups from around the world are finding their way to Canada, and many of these same people arrive with open hearts and minds to the Gospel. What an incredible opportunity is ours! Dr. John Neufeld wrote, “When you read Acts 13:1, you can’t help but be encouraged by the list of names presented in the church in Antioch. As Back to the Bible Canada reaches
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• Launch of the international Bible teaching program with Dr. Neufeld, on air, online, and via podcast, we’ve experienced a new, growing and diverse listener base. These new listeners are located in countries like Iraq, China, Japan, and India to name only a few. • Pastors Bible Teaching Conferences in partnership with Back to the Bible India. Now, pastors and denominations from across India representing hundreds of churches and pastors. The next conferences are now in the final stages of planning for June of 2019 in both Delhi and Hyderabad. • The English Bible teaching ministry of Back to the Bible Canada to be followed by an everincreasing, demographically and ethnically diverse audience, perhaps more so than anytime in
ministry history. The challenge before us is to meet the need by providing the Bible teaching program with Dr. Neufeld in multiple languages and increase the impact of ministry both nationally and globally. And looking forward: A Continued Partnership ith Back to the Bible India. • Annual Bible Teaching Conferences for Pastors. Conference 3 and 4 are taking place this June in Hyderabad and Delhi. • Daily Bible teaching program expanding its reach throughout much of Asia, including the Middle East and China. • The annual budget to continue to provide these Bible teaching conferences, programs and resources to potentially millions is $75,000. Daily Bible teaching translations within Canada and around the globe. • The goal in 2019 is to translate the daily Bible teaching program of Dr. Neufeld into multiple languages. Languages that represent both a significant population base in Canada and around the world beginning with the Mandarin language. Mandarin represents the largest foreign language group in Canada. Then, to expand the daily program into other prominent national program
into other prominent national and global languages including Spanish, Arabic, Punjabi and Tagalog. • The Daily Bible Teaching programs will launched free of charge to listeners nationally and globally utilizing the most accessible mediums including online websites, podcasts and mobile applications. • The annual cost of the Bible teaching translation initiative, with the goal of three new languages in 2019 is $120,000. A group of ministry friends have already expressed their commitment to this vision with an international ministry pledge of $25,000. For the month of February, every dollar given to the Back to the Bible Canada International initiative will be matched by another dollar up to $25,000. Your investment in Bible teaching will be doubled immediately as a result! As Dr. Neufeld reflected, “As Back to the Bible Canada reaches out to the nations, I am exhilarated to know that the Gospel is being spread to people of such a wide diversity of backgrounds. I think God is pleased with this.” The financial goal for International ministries in 2019 is $195,000. Please join us with your gift and your prayers in support of Back to the Bible Canada International Ministries.
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UNDERSTANDING THE GREAT COMMISSION Jonathan Neufeld Jonathan is a pastor at Central Community Church in British Columbia. He’s married to his wife Korinna and has graduated with a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“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)
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he Great Commission is one of the most well-known missionary calls in our Bibles. Jesus calls His disciples to head into all the nations to spread the good news. We see men like David Brainard, Jim Elliot and William Carey leaving their homes and heading overseas to plant churches and see entire continents transformed by the Gospel as they obey this call. But are we all 18
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supposed to leave our homes? Do we all need to travel across the world in order to obey this final command of Jesus? Too often we have read this verse, as “Go all nations” and skip over the main command Jesus gives to His disciples. The only imperative verb in these verses is, “make disciples.” Therefore, the main command of the great commission isn’t to go, but rather to make disciples, and everything else explains how we do that. We make disciples as we go through our lives. We make disciples out of people from every nation, including Canada. As we call others to follow Jesus, we are called to baptize them and teach them to obey all that Jesus commanded. This is the command that Jesus leaves to those who would follow Him.
This means that the Great Commission isn’t just for missionaries on the other side of the world; it’s the charge for every single Christian. It’s a call to look over the backyard fence and realize that God placed your neighbours there for a reason. It’s a charge to look at our co-workers, and realize God put them right beside one of His followers so that they could hear the greatest news in the world! God intends His followers to be like lights shinning in the darkness wherever they are, not waiting until they cross an ocean. This charge reorients how we live every aspect of our life. The people we meet are not chance encounters or obstacles to overcome, but meaningful opportunities that God has placed in our life to join with him in his work. God is working in the world to call people to Himself and has invited
us to join Him in His mission. If Jesus came to seek and save the lost, should His followers not be doing the same? But that is a daunting task. Who has the energy? The wisdom? The courage to live this out? The call is too big for us. That isn’t even mentioning the hard hearts of people we meet, the questions we can’t always answer and sometimes the outright opposition to the message. But Jesus has not abandoned us to do this alone. This charge begins with the declaration that Jesus Himself has authority over the entire earth and ends by reminding us that He is always with us. We go out under the authority of the King of Kings with the Lord of Lords at our side. Is anything too difficult for God?
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