The Hard Part of the Great Commission

Matt. 28:18-20
    
    Often we preachers do not do a good job of talking about the hard part of the great commission. We fantasize, glamorize, and trivialize the great importance and difficultly when teaching the gospel. The truth of the matter is, it can be hard. It’s easy on Sunday morning when you’re surrounded by a bunch of people who agree with you, but what about the other 167 hours in a week? That do you do when you’re told, “that’s not what my parents told me, my preacher said something else, you think you’re the only one’s going to heaven, or I could never get involved with a cult like yours.” “Indeed all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). When sending out the 12 on the limited commission, Jesus said “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved” (Matt. 10:22). We have got to have the courage to preach the unpopular truths in the Bible: not all religious people are saved (Matt. 7:13-14; 21-23), there is only one clause for divorce (Matt. 9:8-9), those who live in sin will not inherit eternal life (1 Cor. 6:9-11), baptism is essential for salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38), and a myriad of other topics. The hard part of the great commission, is fulfilling it when we aren’t around like minded people. I like Amos’ attitude to sharing God’s word. When Amaziah told Amos to leave Israel and go back to Judah and do your prophesying and eat bread (make money) there, his response was “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock and the Lord said to me, ‘Go prophesy to My people Israel.’” (Amos 7:14-15). If the Lord has taken you from the world and added you to the church (Col. 1:13-14), you’re in the same boat as Amos. I love you all!

In His service,
Steven Hugley ​