The Mission

Hi this is breathing welcome to the Salvation Army's words of life.

Welcome back to words of life. I'm Cheryl Gillin and I Bernie Dick today is our final episode in our Easter series with Maj. Ruth Prieto new.

We so enjoyed having her join us these past few weeks. Such a gifted writer and speaker and teacher of the word will absolutely have her back saying so for listening.

Thank you for your time and talents been a blessing to us and our listeners next week relaunching another very cool series.

If you try to work on your social media habits may be as a resolution for this year.

Don't miss this new series were being joined by special guest Jason Thacker. He's an author, teacher, podcast or thinker and lover of the Lord. He I sit down to have some really powerful conversations about technology in the modern church saw a lot of the work that Jason is done is studying the fact that algorithms have the potential of shaping our worldview. It's definitely true because if you find yourself searching any one particular thing on social media or YouTube or any of these places that are tracking what you're looking at what you end up getting is that a feed right or suggestions that are related to those searches. And that's what they're saying is that you know really. Technology can shape sums one of you be absolutely. Eventually they get away from any other opposing view right and that's very hard. We become sort of tunnel vision sites I think is the modern church. We have to be aware of that so that we are engaging in social media even more speaking things around our phones. If you notice that happens to speak something and then all of a sudden your you forget that these ads are things by so I think we just had to be aware of that so that when researching things and were following people were making sure that were following after truth and not after what the algorithms are trying to have a worldview that is trying to lead us to.

I'm excited full disclosure we haven't done these interviews yet, but as we have an opportunity to talk to Jason. We've got a lot of questions.

I do it's it's intriguing, for sure. To learn more, visit Salvation Army sound cast.org. If you're enjoying words of life we want to invite you to check out another show brought to you by the Salvation Army, the holiness podcast is a monthly Bible study with the tenant Col. Vern June. The show was a deep dive into the Scriptures, starting with the word of God says about holiness with each episode. There is also corresponding study guide. Listen whenever you get your podcasts visit Salvation Army sound cast content and of our series.

For this reason God's long-term plan. We have discovered the reason why Jesus was born and died on the cross assigned everything to correct the problem of � through sin as it is found in Genesis 3 and a woman led by Satan disobeyed sin entered creation and disrupted everything so got to bring hope and order set in motion a plan that would take millennia to fulfill celebrated Easter Christ resurrection. But what do we do now after Jesus death and resurrection. What is our mission.

We know salvation is ours, but I think humans would say now okay which means now what after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to many disciples to encourage them and continue his teaching after 40 days he gather them together and gallantly ascended to heaven, he gave them a commission. Let's read today's Scripture portion found in Matthew 28, 16 to 2011 disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told him to go when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age when we read this passage we notice certain important aspects.

We notice the mission principal.

Verse 16 says that the disciples gathered and gallantly this was God's command to the women at the tomb. You remember that in the past sermon when the women went to the tomb of Jesus. The angel of the Lord instructed them go quickly and tell his disciples he has risen from the dead, and is going ahead of you into Galilee, to the principle of the mission that Christ has for his disciples disciples then and for us today is that we have to obey the mission. So what is this nation will Jesus commands us make disciples of all nations is not a suggestion, the success of the mission depends on mass spreading the gospel to all the ends of the earth. Obedience is the first step in. The disciples saw him trusting and others doubting steel paid go to Galilee was his order and disciples followed the command we find many stories in the Bible in which those called by God, make their own decisions in a moment of doubt instead of obeying God.

Sometimes we think that we know more than God, and that our plan is better than his plan and what happens when we take the mission into our own hands. One word disaster.

A perfect example of this is Sarah, Abraham's wife had promised Abraham that he would give them a son he's offspring would be innumerable, but time passed and Abraham and Sarah were getting old. The story that follows is found in Genesis 16, so impatient, Sarah decided to fix or speed up God's plan and gave her servant girl to Abraham to sleep with Hernan have a baby. This decision brought so many difficulties and tension in the family dynamics that could have been avoided if Sarah had been patient.

When we do not obey God. We only cultivate sadness and remorse. How many times have we not seen someone who has died in his sins and felt guilty for not having testified about Christ's if I'm honest, I am guilty of this and perhaps we put it down sometimes to shyness or maybe the opportunity was not ideal. The truth is that sometimes we get lazy and prefer to keep quiet when we should be talking about God. The next thing that jumps out of to us from the Scripture is the purpose of the mission. We already mentioned the purpose of the mission. Jesus commands us go and make disciples of all nations, all nations means all the world, not just those who are nice to us, not just those who want to listen, not just those who we think they deserve to hear the message but everyone we also should not assume that well.

Perhaps we have already done enough and Christ is coming soon so we probably already fill the quota thing is, Jesus never told us when he was coming back and in the meantime, we have to preach the gospel. Peter wrote to the churches.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. Instead, he's patient with you not wanting anyone to parent, but everyone to come to repentance.

This is found in second Peter three verse nine.

So God's purpose with his gospel, which means good news is that everyone has a chance to be saved. But if we don't spread these good news that opportunity diminishes what a sad prospect. All Christians who are part of his army because we are all involved in a war against sin and Satan will have to advance the campaign for world conquest one soldiers who fight for the lost. Now soldiers who seen those without hope and peace walk by without lifting a finger. So put on the armor of God and go out and fight for those who have no known Christ show them the life of Jesus and his teachings and lead a life that is a living testimony to the transformative power of the gospel.

I spoke with say 4 AM not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the part of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew down to the Gentiles. Romans 116 finally will talk about the guardian of the nation where encourage then without fear to go ahead with the nation because God is with us as we learned in our last message Christ goes before guiding and guarding. Those are the last words of Jesus before ascending into heaven.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

What words of comfort for my beloved Jesus Savior and provider. He always always sometimes or many times or have the time, but he will always be with us. We are not fighting this war alone on the front lines. Jesus, our general goes head, showing us the way to go their lives needed the service required. Sometimes we ask ourselves is just that I don't know who to preach. Who is ready to receive the message. The answer is that if you follow Jesus. He will show you the opportunity. If you genuinely maintain an intimate fellowship and relationship with Christ that opportunities will reveal themselves. Furthermore, our testimony showings illuminates and encourage others to follow when we live for Christ. Christ wants us to be sold and light in the world. We are to bring flavored to everything around us at taste of the gospel and light the path to salvation for others to follow.

If we do not give flavor to the world. Why do we follow Christ. Jesus said, but if the salt loses his saltiness, how can it be made salty again, is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot and if we do not enlighten others is as if we put a bucket above our candle.

Jesus says that very same section in Matthew five saying you are the light of the world town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on a stand and he gives light to everyone in the house in the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven. So God will guide and accompany us in the mission. Why do we fear why do we doubt let's obey the great commission, starting today. Nothing about that person that God has placed in your path in your life who needs him start praying and trusting that God will show you the plan to follow, and meanwhile living testimony of the transforming power of God and as your light shines. Many will follow you, and thus find Christ. I hope that this series has been a blessing and encouragement for those who already know Christ and those who have begun a journey with him make I fill you with blessings today and always, the Salvation Army's mission doing the most good means helping people with material and spiritual needs to become a part of this mission every time you give to the Salvation Army visit Salvation Army USA.org to offer your support and love to hear from you. Email us radio USS.Salvation Army.org or call 1-800-229-9965. By this, PO Box 29972, Atlanta, GA 30359 tell us how we can help share prayer request or share your testimony. Would love to use your story here.

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