Friday, February 25, 2011

Last words.

By far the most convicting chapel services of my LIFE were a few weeks back. There was a guy here by the name of Brad Buser...and I'm still processing everything he talked about, but I know this: He confronted some misguided selfish thinking that I've adopted.
Basically he reminded us of the call of God to each one of us to go into all the world and preach the gospel, I know we've all heard that before, but I for one have often shrugged off the significance of this command. I continue to try to wrap my mind around what it means to really follow the God who loves the nations. So here's a little bit of my thought process...
If there are in fact 2,100+ people groups who have never heard the gospel (these 2,100 people groups contains roughly 2/3 of the entire world's population), when I stand before God and those people who've never heard are condemned to hell, will all the excuses I make up for why I can't or shouldn't go into overseas missions even matter? Will I still feel justified by the way I've chosen to follow my dreams rather than obey God to go and share His message of hope?
The point Mr. Buser points out is that we've all been called to passionately pursue God and share His word with others. Sometimes it boils down to this: obedience. God wants our lives to count for a bigger purpose than building our own "kingdoms".

24Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matt. 24)

God's heart is for the world--that every person would hear the gospel. What then will I do about it? So convicting to me, and encouraging to hear something different.
Anyway, This is just as much--if not more--for me than for you. I just write these blogs hoping that perhaps one of you faithful readers will get something out of it too. You can listen to Brad B. if you want here's a link to his youtube videos.

Last words before Jesus ascended: (Matthew 28)

18And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

That's all for now. Feel free to comment.