I have had the privilege of preaching in three African nations, Mexico and Belize in Central America. Each time I have been virtually moved to tears at the deprivation people endure. Anyone with even slight concern for others would wish to be able to do something to alleviate the grinding poverty and endemic disease. But for one who appreciates the value of the human soul a more pressing need is apparent both in third world countries and developed nations - the need for the saving power of the gospel.

Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-20; Luke 24:44-49). This commission contains in summary form the mission of the New Testament church. What then is the mission of the church of Christ?

Authority Which Dictates

Before Jesus sent the apostles, He claimed, "all authority ... in heaven and on earth" had been "given to" Him (Matthew 28:18). Because Jesus spoke the words His Father sent Him to speak, His words shall judge us in the last day (John 12:48-49).

Certainly the Great Commission was primarily delivered to the Lord’s apostles (Matthew 28:16-18; Mark 16:14-15). But Christ commanded His ambassadors to teach those whom they baptized "to observe all things that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:20). Thus, the commission secondarily applies to all Christians.

The Son of God, our King now and Judge in the last great day, issued the Great Commission as a divine command in summary of His purpose for His people. Who would dare disobey!

Need Which Compels

The purpose of the Great Commission is to lead people to be saved (Mark 16:16). But one cannot be saved unless he is first lost. I could not save a man on the river bank from drowning; he would be safe. But if he fell into water over his head and could not swim, he would be lost and need salvation.

Thus, the purpose of the Great Commission implies that the world is lost and needs salvation. Indeed, all responsible people have sinned (Romans 3:23) and are thus spiritually dead (Romans 6:23). The world now, as in Jesus’ day, tragically needs spiritual guidance (Matthew 9:36-38).

The greatest need of all people throughout the entire world is not bread for the belly but bread for the soul (Matthew 16:26-27; John 6:27; Romans 14:17). The gospel alone has the power to meet this need (Romans 1:16).

Love That Directs

Early in His earthly ministry the Lord gave His apostles the Limited Commission. He sent His chosen ambassadors to the Jews alone to prepare them for the establishment of the kingdom (Matthew 10:5-7). But the Master had taught that our love is to be for all mankind (Matthew 5:43-48). God "desires all men to be saved" (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Indeed, salvation in Christ is for people "in every nation" (Acts 10:34-35). Thus, the Lord through the Great Commission directs us to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19), i.e., to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). We must seek to win all the lost to Christ, paying no heed to differences in nationality, race, tongue, skin color, social position, economic status, parentage or sex.

Message Proclaimed

The Prince of Peace did not send His ambassadors without a message. The gospel they were to announce is the same we must proclaim.

The gospel contains facts to believe: in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He arose from the dead the third day (Luke 24:44-46). These facts prove Jesus is the Son of God (Romans 1:3-4), and one must believe them to be saved (Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

The gospel of the Great Commission also includes commands all must obey. The sinner must repent (Luke 24:47), and, upon confession of his faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10), be baptized (Matthew 28:19) in order to be saved (Mark 16:16). As a disciple of Christ he must then be taught "to observe all things" the Lord has commanded (Matthew 28:20).

To those who believe the facts and obey the commands, the Lord extends the promise of salvation (Mark 16:16), i.e., "the remission of sins" (Luke 24:47).

Promise That Sustains

The Lord promised His apostles when He sent them out, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). He was with them by confirming their word through the miracles He worked by them (Mark 16:17-18). He kept His promise, and the apostolic preaching was established as true by the divine signs (Mark 16:19-20).

We have that confirmed word, and through it the Lord is yet with us (Philippians 2:13), accomplishing more than we can imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Conclusion

Our generation is now presented with opportunities and resultant responsibilities perhaps never seen since that generation. With the technology, transportation and freedom now afforded us, we can be the instruments of Christ in the greatest assault on the citadels of Satan since the apostolic age or the most miserable failures in history.

The world is before us lost in sin. We have the power to save them. What shall we do?