Empowered for the Great Commission: Jesus' Return
Summary
### Summary
In our ongoing series on the Spirit of Jesus, we have reached the topic of Jesus' return. This is a subject that has sparked much debate among believers throughout history and continues to do so today. While the specifics of how and when Jesus will return are uncertain and often contentious, what remains clear is the mission Jesus left for us: to spread the gospel to all nations. Jesus' ascension marked the beginning of this mission, and the Holy Spirit was poured out to empower us to fulfill it. However, history shows that the church has often fallen short of this commission.
From the early church's initial spread of the gospel to the stagnation during the thousand years following Constantine's conversion, the church has had periods of both growth and decline. The modern missionary movement, sparked by figures like William Carey and the Pentecostal revival, has reignited the church's zeal for evangelism. Today, we see significant growth in places like sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, but there are still vast unreached areas, particularly in the 10/40 window, which includes many Muslim, Hindu, and atheistic nations.
Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations is not just about geographical boundaries but also about reaching different people groups, including those within our own communities who are often overlooked. The Holy Spirit is essential in equipping us for this mission, helping us to create new ways to engage with those who have yet to hear the gospel.
I believe we are on the brink of an end-time harvest, a significant turning to Christ that will fulfill the Great Commission. However, this requires us to overcome our current crisis of confidence and willingness to witness. We need the Holy Spirit to give us the courage and creativity to reach out to both those who are like us and those who are not.
I am commissioning you today to take three specific actions: reach out to people like you, connect with people who are unlike you, and go to new places to share the gospel. By doing so, we can help prepare the church, the bride of Christ, for His return. This preparation involves using our God-given talents, caring for the poor, and staying filled with the Holy Spirit. Let us stand together and ask the Holy Spirit to empower us for this mission.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity in Diversity of Beliefs: The return of Jesus is a complex and debated topic among Christians. It's crucial to recognize and respect the diversity of interpretations while focusing on the shared mission of spreading the gospel. This unity in diversity allows us to work together effectively without falling into unnecessary conflicts. [01:03]
2. Historical Lessons and Modern Mission: The history of the church shows periods of both growth and stagnation. The early church spread the gospel rapidly, but the conversion of Constantine led to a thousand years of stagnation. The modern missionary movement and Pentecostal revival have reignited the church's zeal for evangelism, reminding us of the importance of continually pushing the boundaries of our mission. [07:39]
3. The 10/40 Window and Unreached People Groups: Despite significant growth in many parts of the world, there are still vast unreached areas, particularly in the 10/40 window. This includes many Muslim, Hindu, and atheistic nations. Reaching these areas requires a renewed focus and creative strategies empowered by the Holy Spirit. [14:51]
4. End-Time Harvest and Crisis of Confidence: We are on the brink of an end-time harvest, a significant turning to Christ that will fulfill the Great Commission. However, this requires overcoming our current crisis of confidence and willingness to witness. The Holy Spirit is essential in giving us the courage and creativity to reach out effectively. [16:51]
5. Three Commissions for Effective Evangelism: To fulfill the Great Commission, we must take three specific actions: reach out to people like us, connect with people who are unlike us, and go to new places to share the gospel. By doing so, we can help prepare the church, the bride of Christ, for His return, using our talents, caring for the poor, and staying filled with the Holy Spirit. [20:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Unity in Diversity of Beliefs
[02:05] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[03:24] - The Great Commission
[04:27] - Paul's Mission to the Gentiles
[05:31] - Early Church Growth and Constantine
[06:32] - The Shift to Christian States
[07:39] - Stagnation and Missed Opportunities
[08:46] - Kublai Khan's Request
[09:38] - The Reformation and Missed Missions
[10:44] - Modern Missionary Movement
[11:39] - Pentecostal Revival and Global Growth
[12:40] - Visual Summary of Church History
[14:21] - The 10/40 Window
[15:48] - End-Time Harvest
[16:51] - Crisis of Confidence
[17:42] - The Role of the Holy Spirit Today
[18:47] - Opportunities for Evangelism
[19:41] - Reaching Unreached Areas
[20:34] - Three Commissions for Evangelism
[22:21] - Connecting with Different People
[23:48] - Going to New Places
[24:42] - Mission Trip Inspiration
[26:16] - Preparing the Bride of Christ
[27:02] - The Jewish Wedding Tradition
[28:34] - The Bride's Preparation
[30:14] - Parables of Readiness
[32:04] - Using Our Talents
[32:56] - Caring for the Poor
[33:47] - The Need for the Holy Spirit
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV): "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
2. Acts 1:8 (NIV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
3. Matthew 25:1-13 (NIV): The Parable of the Ten Virgins.
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the key elements of the Great Commission as described in Matthew 28:19-20?
2. According to Acts 1:8, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in the mission of the disciples?
3. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), what distinguishes the wise virgins from the foolish ones?
4. What historical periods of growth and stagnation in the church were mentioned in the sermon? [07:39]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 apply to modern-day believers? What does it mean to "make disciples of all nations" in today's context?
2. Acts 1:8 emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit in witnessing. How can believers today rely on the Holy Spirit to fulfill their mission?
3. The Parable of the Ten Virgins highlights the importance of being prepared. What does it mean for believers to keep their "lamps burning" and be ready for Jesus' return? [33:47]
4. The sermon mentioned a "crisis of confidence" among believers. What factors contribute to this crisis, and how can it be overcome? [18:47]
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized the need to reach out to people like us. Identify one person in your life who shares similar interests or background but does not know Jesus. How can you start a conversation about faith with them this week? [20:34]
2. Connecting with people who are unlike us can be challenging. Think of someone in your workplace or community who is different from you. What steps can you take to build a relationship with them and share the gospel? [22:21]
3. The sermon encouraged going to new places to share the gospel. Is there a specific place or group of people you feel called to reach out to? How can you take the first step in this direction? [23:48]
4. Reflect on the historical periods of stagnation in the church mentioned in the sermon. What lessons can we learn from these periods to avoid similar pitfalls in our mission today? [07:39]
5. The sermon spoke about the importance of using our talents for the kingdom. Identify one talent or gift you have. How can you use it to serve others and advance the gospel this month? [32:04]
6. Caring for the poor is a significant aspect of preparing the bride of Christ. What practical steps can you take to help those in need in your community? [32:56]
7. The Parable of the Ten Virgins teaches us to be ready for Jesus' return. What specific actions can you take to ensure you are spiritually prepared and filled with the Holy Spirit? [33:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Diversity of Beliefs
The return of Jesus is a complex and debated topic among Christians. It's crucial to recognize and respect the diversity of interpretations while focusing on the shared mission of spreading the gospel. This unity in diversity allows us to work together effectively without falling into unnecessary conflicts. By embracing different perspectives, we can enrich our understanding and strengthen our collective mission. The Holy Spirit guides us in this unity, helping us to focus on what truly matters: sharing the love and message of Jesus with the world.
[01:03]
Romans 14:1-3 (ESV): "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him."
Reflection: Think of a fellow believer with whom you have a theological disagreement. How can you show them love and respect this week, focusing on your shared mission rather than your differences?
Day 2: Historical Lessons and Modern Mission
The history of the church shows periods of both growth and stagnation. The early church spread the gospel rapidly, but the conversion of Constantine led to a thousand years of stagnation. The modern missionary movement and Pentecostal revival have reignited the church's zeal for evangelism, reminding us of the importance of continually pushing the boundaries of our mission. By learning from history, we can avoid past mistakes and seize new opportunities to spread the gospel with renewed vigor and creativity.
[07:39]
Acts 13:47 (ESV): "For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’"
Reflection: Reflect on a period in your life when you felt spiritually stagnant. What steps can you take today to reignite your passion for sharing the gospel?
Day 3: The 10/40 Window and Unreached People Groups
Despite significant growth in many parts of the world, there are still vast unreached areas, particularly in the 10/40 window. This includes many Muslim, Hindu, and atheistic nations. Reaching these areas requires a renewed focus and creative strategies empowered by the Holy Spirit. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and engage with people who have yet to hear the gospel, using innovative methods to connect with them.
[14:51]
Matthew 24:14 (ESV): "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Reflection: Consider the 10/40 window and the unreached people groups within it. How can you support or participate in efforts to reach these areas, whether through prayer, giving, or going?
Day 4: End-Time Harvest and Crisis of Confidence
We are on the brink of an end-time harvest, a significant turning to Christ that will fulfill the Great Commission. However, this requires overcoming our current crisis of confidence and willingness to witness. The Holy Spirit is essential in giving us the courage and creativity to reach out effectively. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can find the strength to share our faith boldly and creatively, even in the face of challenges and doubts.
[16:51]
2 Timothy 1:7-8 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God."
Reflection: Identify a specific fear or doubt that holds you back from witnessing. How can you ask the Holy Spirit to help you overcome this barrier today?
Day 5: Three Commissions for Effective Evangelism
To fulfill the Great Commission, we must take three specific actions: reach out to people like us, connect with people who are unlike us, and go to new places to share the gospel. By doing so, we can help prepare the church, the bride of Christ, for His return, using our talents, caring for the poor, and staying filled with the Holy Spirit. This holistic approach ensures that we are not only spreading the gospel but also living it out in our daily lives.
[20:34]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of one person like you, one person unlike you, and one new place where you can share the gospel this week. What specific steps will you take to reach out to each of them?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Jesus expected the good news of his gospel of the kingdom. Of forgiveness and healing. Of evil being cast out. Of justice being established. The year of the Lord's favor. He expected the good news of that to go with the disciples from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to the ends of the earth." [03:24] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "People who found their lives transformed by the Spirit of God would just start gossiping the gospel. People who loved Jesus would gather together to pray and they'd impact their neighborhood. They'd establish churches and see the kingdom of God increase." [05:31] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I believe that God wants to bring a huge end time harvest. That God wants to cause the mountain of the Lord to fill the earth, like the prophet said. That he wants the yeast to go through the whole dough, like Jesus said. I believe that Jesus wants a huge turning to Christ." [15:48] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If we talk about Jesus, there's a huge opportunity in this generation. And yet at the same time, what's tragic is that so many believers and so much of the church seems to have lost its confidence. Just at the time when the research says that people want to have conversations about God." [17:42] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We need the Holy Spirit to help us make disciples as we go. We need the Holy Spirit to bring an end-time harvest so that we see God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven." [19:41] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Jesus is doing two things in his ascended kingdom. That he is pouring out the Holy Spirit and he is waiting, waiting for the church to get its act together and waiting for the church to fulfill the great commission to take the good news into all the earth. And then the end will come, Jesus said." [02:05] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Can I commission you to tell people who are like you about Jesus so that we can obey this great commission to go and make disciples of all nations? There are people like you who you will meet this week, who live in the same sort of houses, have the same sort of jobs, have the same sort of income, have the same sort of needs." [20:34] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Can you connect with some people who are unlike you? The people you meet at the water cooler at work, who may be three levels, below you or four levels above you. The people you meet in the street who are just not like you at all. People who are very different from you, but they're here in the same city." [22:21] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need the Holy Spirit here now to equip us for this moment, to equip us for these opportunities, to give us the courage, to help us to create new wineskins that are attractive to people investigating Christianity." [19:41] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The third parable is about the sheep and the goats. And the sheep are the ones who care for the poor. They're the ones that clothe the naked. They're the ones that give homes to the homeless. They're the ones that visit the prisoners. That's the bride readying herself for the groom." [32:56] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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