To the ends of the earth? What does that mean for you and me? Do we go out and serve the people in Cambodia and ignore those in our own backyard? Or do we focus on those around us and ignore those without the Gospel in Africa. What does the ends of the earth mean to you?
In the Book of Acts, the apostles have begun the task of fulfilling the Great Commission. In this commission Christ said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NASB). Make disciples of all the nations...that's a huge call for us as believers. How on earth do we even begin to fulfill such a call to serve? Why not just focus on those here at home?
From what I see in the Bible, God has given Christians the great responsibility and joy of spreading his news throughout the world. How can we ignore such a great calling? Some are fulfilling the need in this country and that is great. Others are fulfilling the need in other countries and that is great...but why not both? Why not focus on both our country and other countries? Now I am not saying to give up your entire livelihood and move to Kenya to minister in the slums of Nairobi...but I am not discounting it either. You have a call to serve God and follow him. How are you going to make that call more evident in your own life?
A few weeks ago I had a great opportunity to go to the International Conference of Missions (ICOM). At this conference, I met so many different Christian men and women who were following the call of God both in America and in other countries. They focused on different aspects, this is true, but the unity and purpose of telling the world about Jesus was invigorating. I feel that our focus should be on our home our country and the world. For example the places my ministry should encompass, my Jerusalem is Boise, my Judea is Idaho or Oregon, my Samaria is Wyoming or Utah (No offense to those who love Utah or Wyoming), and the ends of the earth...well its the ends of the earth.
I don't know what the Great Commission is going to look like in every Christians life. However, I do know that the Christian is called to live differently. Keep your heart open to what God says and if he begins to lead that way...don't fight because that is an uphill battle and you will not win. :)
In the Book of Acts, the apostles have begun the task of fulfilling the Great Commission. In this commission Christ said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NASB). Make disciples of all the nations...that's a huge call for us as believers. How on earth do we even begin to fulfill such a call to serve? Why not just focus on those here at home?
From what I see in the Bible, God has given Christians the great responsibility and joy of spreading his news throughout the world. How can we ignore such a great calling? Some are fulfilling the need in this country and that is great. Others are fulfilling the need in other countries and that is great...but why not both? Why not focus on both our country and other countries? Now I am not saying to give up your entire livelihood and move to Kenya to minister in the slums of Nairobi...but I am not discounting it either. You have a call to serve God and follow him. How are you going to make that call more evident in your own life?
A few weeks ago I had a great opportunity to go to the International Conference of Missions (ICOM). At this conference, I met so many different Christian men and women who were following the call of God both in America and in other countries. They focused on different aspects, this is true, but the unity and purpose of telling the world about Jesus was invigorating. I feel that our focus should be on our home our country and the world. For example the places my ministry should encompass, my Jerusalem is Boise, my Judea is Idaho or Oregon, my Samaria is Wyoming or Utah (No offense to those who love Utah or Wyoming), and the ends of the earth...well its the ends of the earth.
I don't know what the Great Commission is going to look like in every Christians life. However, I do know that the Christian is called to live differently. Keep your heart open to what God says and if he begins to lead that way...don't fight because that is an uphill battle and you will not win. :)
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