Who Are You Waiting On?

Read the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20.

The first disciples, and we who are disciples today, have a job to do.  In many real ways, we are the ones who are to continue the story that is left untold as the Gospel of Matthew doesn’t conclude, but is handed off to us.  In word and deed we are to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  We are to 1) go and 2) make disciples of all nations.  This involves baptizing and teaching and living the Kingdom of God way of life which Jesus has shown us.  Matthew 9:35-36 is one of many illustrations of this sort of lifestyle and kingdom approach.  The next verse is sometimes quoted around churches when the number of workers is compared to the work that needs to be done, "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few."

Hear this directly:  God needs you to go to work and the church needs you to go to work!

We can’t wait on the “other guy” to step up.  We are a large church, yet we aren’t as effective as we need to be if you aren’t “in the action.”  The mission isn’t on track if you aren’t living out the Great Commission and serving as a bridge of reconciliation between the church and community.  Imagine what the community will be like if every person takes on one mission and ministry.  Dream about a community where we tithe our time in mission and outreach as we diligently as we tithe our funds to the church.  Hope for, and live toward, being the bridge that is built as we share the great commission in our community and “connect the dots” between our activity and relationships in the community and our function as a church that reaches Augusta/Richmond County, Columbia County, and the CSRA for Christ.        

Our individual lives, and our corporate church life, will take on new meaning and vitality as we live out the Great Commission for this generation of neighbors in the Augusta region. 

"The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed" — Hudson Taylor

"Is not the commission of our Lord still binding upon us? Can we not do more than now we are doing?" — William Carey

Ask yourself:  What hinders me from joining in the mission of Christ today?  Is it doubt, or fear, or apathy, or what stops me?  What would it take for me to get more active in the mission of God?  What one person might I help become part of the Kingdom of God and our church this year? 

Pray for Turn Back the Block as work continues in Harrisburg to reconstruct homes, families, and the neighborhood as we help more people become homeowners.  Recent statistics show that 14% of Harrisburg Homes are vacant or abandoned, and that less than 25% of the homes are owner-occupied. 

Learn more:  http://www.turnbacktheblock.com/.

Meet the presenter:  Mr. Stan Self.