The Altar of Going
Monday Morning Commentary
In conclusion to the “Altars” series, Pastor Craig presents us with the message, The Altar of Going.
The Great Commission is given to all believers. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” Matthew 28:19-20.
What does God mean by all nations? Simply, all people or ethnic groups. Why all? Because all have sinned and all need a Savior. Jesus Christ died for all, therefore, all must be given the opportunity to receive Him.
There are 11,000 unique people groups in the world today and approximately 6,000 are unreached people groups equating to 2.8 billion people. The need is GREAT and URGENT for these people. And we who have been reached cannot sit by and do nothing. We must live with the great commission in mind and with the understanding that our obedience is imperative!
Today, ask God, “God, where do you want me ‘going’?” Today, God wants you going somewhere. Today, that somewhere is your job, your school, your neighborhood, your grocery store. Every day you are going. Every day you must be willing to stop as you are going and recognize the opportunities to share the Gospel. Though our nation is not unreached (meaning, people have access to the Gospel), there are many who are lost (have not accepted Christ). So, we must continue our going. Perhaps, going may mean leaving the comforts of home, and going to an unreached people group. Be willing! Know, that whatever you give up for the Gospel is worth the sacrifice.
For parents, consider that the goal of biblical parenting is not to help your children get a great education, have a great career and make great money. Rather, the goal of biblical parenting is to help your children accomplish the Great Commission. You must begin to put before them the mission. Expose them to the lost and the unreached. Instill in them the urgency to obey the command. Nurture in them a love for people and encourage them to pursue God’s mission to spread the Gospel. Ultimately, their obedience to Christ and surrendering to His call is the greatest success they can achieve.
Paul urges believers, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” 1 Corinthians 15:58.
We can choose to live life in vain. But how can you? After having received the gift of forgiveness of sins and being rescued from an eternity in hell, how can you stand by and allowing others to endure eternity in the hell from which you’ve been delivered?
Instead, make your life count! Ask God, “where do you want me ‘going’?” because death is coming. To all people, death is a certainty. Every day you are closer to death
and so is everyone else. Isn’t it right then, for you to make your life’s focus be sharing the Gospel? Using every resource and every opportunity to make your life be a means to saving people?
Ask God, “where do you want me ‘going’?” because resurrection is real. Our hope in Christ is found in the resurrection (1 Cor.15:14, 19)! Our life is not in vain when we are doing what the Resurrected Christ has called us to do. The worst thing that can happen to a person (death) can become the best thing that can happen to a person when they receive new life in Christ (here on Earth) and the gift of eternal life with Him. The Gospel is worth the risk of our very lives! That is why Paul could boldly say, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21.
Ask God, “where do you want me ‘going’?” because all of history is headed to the same moment. “The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For ‘God has put all things in subjection under his feet’” 1 Corinthians 15:25. And when this happens, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, every knee will bow and worship the King of Kings. Why not give your life so that as many as you can reach can join you in that moment?