And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:18-20 (ESV)
Barna Research Group is an incredible resource to ministry leaders, especially in gaining a pulse on the opinions, habits, and assumptions that embody the local church. A recent study partnership between Seed Company and Barna revealed a startling statistic within professing Christians. Amongst U.S. churchgoers, 51% are unfamiliar with the term “the Great Commission,” with just 37% able to recognize the correct passage that has been named as the Great Commission. The study reveals an assumption among ministers that the majority of churchgoing Christians know what it means by the term Great Commission, and at the very least, that we do not discuss this term enough.
These findings, along with a desire for North Bullitt Christian Church to embrace a missional lifestyle, has driven us to embark on a journey to preach through the passages in each of the Gospels and the book of Acts which speak to the mission of the local church and individual Christians.
In its infancy, the Christian faith was a missional movement. A movement that charged its followers to go and tell the good news about Jesus. Not just as a striving towards conversion, but rather as a transformational experience of renewal through the work of Christ. In turn, these disciples are also to go and tell of the incredible news of Jesus’s perfect life, sin-atoning death, and life-giving resurrection from the dead! But the commission doesn’t stop at just telling of the Good News, but then also baptizing these new believers into the Church! As well as, walking alongside disciples in teaching them to obey the commands of Jesus! The Gospel is not something we keep to ourselves! It is good news that we proclaim to all of creation (Mark 16:15), through the power of God’s Spirit (John 20:19-23), to the ends of the earth (Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:6-11).
So, I issue a challenge to those who call themselves followers of Jesus: are you carrying out the charge of Jesus to go and make disciples? Journey with us as we look to the clear instruction of the Bible in taking forth the Gospel to our neighborhoods, cities, states, and the nation! As we advance the Kingdom of God, a kingdom of justice and mercy to the poor, and embrace the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through the local church!
Are you ready? Join us starting Sunday, January 8 at 9 or 11am.
North Bullitt Christian Church 