Go!
by Gordon Wood

How did Jesus get his message of the Kingdom to come across to the world he lived in? After his resurrection did the method change?

He told his followers to "go into the world and make disciples of all nations baptise in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teach them to obey everything I have commanded you" Matt 28:19-20.

How was this accomplished. How did Christian growth expand so far and so fast, what was the secret? What method above all others accomplished the task set by our Lord in those early times?

Did they spend great sums of money on expensive crusades, did they put out glossy pamphlets and brochures. Was there millions of dollars spent on advertising?

I think not. The simple truth is that the most effective means of evangelising the lost then, is still the most effective means now.

Jesus simply told them to "GO". They did not talk about how to do something, they did not wait till they felt they were trained enough, they simply went and told someone about a revolutionary idea that someone had saved them from the penalty of their sins.

They went to the Jew first, then the gentiles (rest of the world). It should also be noted that in many cases the gentiles were more readily receptive to Gods message of hope than the Jews, who should have had some idea of the message because it involved their Messiah whom they were waiting for.

The same is true today. In fact it would appear that so called Christian countries are now in fact less Christian than those they sent missionaries to so many, years ago.

The fastest growing religion is faith in spiritualism and Satanism. Of the countries that sent missionaries to the heathen in the 19th century only USA has a good percentage of Christians with approximately 40% of the population claiming to be practicing Christians (although this figure grew to 80% shortly after 9/11 it has now fallen back to 60%).

We need to realise we now live in a post Christian era. We live in the mission field. Our children are at risk as are our friends. Just like Lot, we live in "Sodom" and it is close to destruction. We need to walk with the lord and trust in him as never before.

Talk to your neighbour, you have a message to tell. It is a message from God, he has paid the price for our, and their sins, and he is sending his son to save the lost; VERY, VERY, SOON.

Even non believers realise the world has only a few short years to go, we are destroying our home at an alarming rate. Christ's return must be soon, we need to be ready and we need to tell others of his saving power and grace.