As you see from the title, we want to talk about the great commission. But what makes the great commission great? There are several reasons why, let’s look at some of them. One reason the commission is great is because it’s worldwide in it’s scope. The Lord in speaking to the apostles in Mt.28:l8-20; Mk.16:15-16; Lk.24:46-47; and in Ac.l:8 said preach the gospel to every creature, teach all nations, to the uttermost parts of the earth. Another reason it is great is because the Lord himself gave them this charge to go. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, Lk.19:l0, and gave the great commission for this purpose to be carried out. This commission is great because it deals with the salvation of the souls of men. It is so men may be saved and receive the remission by sins. This is the root of all men’s problems, and the gospel is the cure. This is why it must be preached to all men. They were not told to go out and preach social reform, how to improve self esteem, or how to turn the earth into a utopia. No, they went out to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. It wrought social reform in time, like the abolishment of slavery, but this was a by-product of the gospel not it’s purpose. And men do gain self-esteem, this only comes as a result of forgiveness and reconciliation to God, and transformation. The perfect place or utopia for men is not this earth, but a place called heaven that will be reached in the end, which only the faithful shall receive. The last reason we suggest that makes the great commission is great, is that every Christian can and should have a part in carrying it out. We are told to follow or imitate Paul, even as he followed Christ, l Cor.l1:l. Paul said that the faith of the Roman brethren was spoken of throughout the whole world, Rom.1:8. In Ac.8:4 the Bible says “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” But, somebody will say “I don’t know enough.” Well, if you know enough to be saved, you know enough to tell another what you did to be saved. We could all be like Phillip who told his brother Nathaniel to “Come and see.” Yes we all can be involved in the great work of evangelism. Truly our task before us is great.
—Dan McKibben
