Losing Something Valuable: A Story That Reveals True Urgency
Have you ever lost something valuable? Maybe it was a piece of jewelry, your phone or credit card. Have you ever lost a child?
It was a beautiful sunny mild night about 14 years ago. We went with my extended family to the Colorado Rapids soccer game. As we came through the gate of the stadium a few of my family went to grab food. My youngest daughter was 4 years old at the time, and I thought my dad had her. We all made our way down to our seats. I looked around and Lara was nowhere to be found. My heart dropped to my stomach. I felt like I was going to pass out running up the stairs back to the concourse. Hundreds of people were coming every direction. I am looking and calling for Lara. Tears filled my eyes walking, looking, and praying in desperation. Suddenly as I was scanning the sea of people my head turned left looking inside an office area. There she was sitting on a seat. I couldn’t believe it. She was found!
My urgency to find my daughter was laser focused. Nothing else mattered. I did not care about a Fut’bol game anymore.
How much more should we have urgency to share Jesus in our churches and to those around us?
Why the Great Commission Still Matters Today
Toward the end of Jesus’ life on earth, he was in the upper room during the Last Supper. He was communing with the disciples and Communion was born. He said many things, but one of them was when I rise from the dead, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.
At the Last Supper, Jesus said, in Matthew 26:32 “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Sunday came. Jesus has risen from the dead. The disciples are still in Jerusalem behind a locked door. They should be 70 miles north to Galilee. Women show up at the empty tomb and an angel tells the women where the disciples should be. The disciples needed a reminder. “’Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you” (Matthew 28:7). Finally, they make it to the place Jesus told them to go. “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go” (Matthew 28:16). They knew where in Galilee. They knew the mountain. Most likely Mount Arbel. They had already seen Jesus alive. They could not help themselves, so they worshipped him. Some doubted.
This doubting or worrying can be contagious. It can spread quickly. When we find ourselves worrying, we need to worship! And when we are doubting, we need a purpose. Anyone needs a reminder of purpose today? Jesus would give the disciples and you and me a purpose! You know it! It is nothing new, but are we leaning in with urgency?
Let me remind you of our commission.
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:17-20).
We are given our marching orders here on top of the world. Do not miss the place! Do not miss the purpose! Do not miss the person! All authority. All nations. Obey Everything. With you Always. Do we believe All means All?
As you know, this is called The Great Commission, and I believe it was a direct command to every follower of Jesus. Pastors, you are in a unique position to push down on the accelerator of evangelism.
Mission Hills Association exists to be a catalytic influence partnering with you to take the Gospel across the front range. And you have a calling with importance and urgency to keep it front and center in your churches. We are here to help, but you are here to lead.
And all pastors are not the same in personality, gifting, leadership ability and even in your style of evangelism. Some are more direct liking to debate, others are intellectual using theological terms and concepts to share, others love sharing your spiritual story, service oriented, invitational in your style or highly relational. Where do you lean. Use your gifting for God’s glory and surround yourself with all of the styles of sharing Jesus for greater impact.
The average number of steps a person takes each day is about 10,000 from sunrise to sunset. That is 115,000 miles in an average lifetime. Think about it. That is four times around the earth over your life. Are we walking wisely? The average distance across the room is ten steps and sometimes all it takes is a walk across the room to start a conversation about Jesus. How much more should we be sharing the Gospel and training others in our churches to pass on the story of Jesus?
What will your next steps be?
