## The Great Commission, The Message

## Luke 24:44-49

Tonight we want to look at how we are to accomplish the task that God has given us. To reach this world for Christ.

I. We Must Allow God to Enlighten Us. v45

A. To the meaning fo the Scripture.

1. We need instruction when it comes to understanding the Word of God.

2. We can get help from:

a. Preachers and teachers.

b. Bible dictionaries and commentaries.

c. Study manuals and etc.

3. However, our primary source is the Holy Spirit Himself.

a. Who better than the author?

(JOHN 14:26) "BUT THE COMFORTER, WHICH IS THE HOLY GHOST, WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, AND BRING ALL THINGS TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE, WHATSOEVER I HAVE SAID UNTO YOU."

b. Without the Holy Spirit enlightening us upon the Scripture we could understand very little.

B. To the urgency of the commission.

(JOHN 4:35) "SAY NOT YE, THERE ARE YET FOUR MONTHS, AND THEN COMETH HARVEST? BEHOLD, I SAY UNTO YOU, LIFT UP YOUR EYES, AND LOOK ON THE FIELDS; FOR THEY ARE WHITE ALREADY TO HARVEST."

1. Procrastination is willful disobedience to God's commands.

2. Jesus said, "...the night cometh when no man can work."

3. "...they are white already to harvest."

C. To the importance of the commission.

1. We will never be concerned for the lost world until God gives us the burden.

2. That burden cannot come from your pastor, a missionary, or from me.

3. It must come from the Lord!

4. Note: 1 Sam. 17:20-31

5. Once David was burdened with the importance of the tast, nothing could dissuade him from getting involved in the battle.

II. We Must Not Lose Sight of the Message. v46-48

A. The Gospel must be proclaimed.

1. The simple message of the Gospel is still powerful enough to bring salvation.

(ROM 1:16) "FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH; TO THE JEW FIRST, AND ALSO TO THE GREEK."

2. We don't need to change the message, just proclaim it!

B. The Message is Positive.

1. It isn't trying to reform people.

2. It isn't blasting them for what they may or may not be doing.

(1 COR 2:1-2) "AND I, BRETHREN, WHEN I CAME TO YOU, CAME NOT WITH EXCELLENCY OF SPEECH OR OF WISDOM, DECLARING UNTO YOU THE TESTIMONY OF GOD. {2} FOR I DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANY THING AMONG YOU, SAVE JESUS CHRIST, AND HIM CRUCIFIED."

III. We Need the Power of the Holy Spirit upon us. v49

A. We Can go in the power of the flesh.

1. Perhaps that is one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century.

2. We know the routine.

3. We know the language.

4. We can do it ourselves, and we may even get some results, but oh, how God is grieved.

B. We need the power of God.

1. 'The promise of the Father' is the Holy Spirit.

2. Jesus told them to wait until they were empowered by Him.

(ACTS 1:8) "BUT YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER, AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME BOTH IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDAEA, AND IN SAMARIA, AND UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH."

3. After they received the power of the Holy Spirit...then they were to be witnesses to the world!

How are we going to reach our world for Christ? How are we going to take on additional missionaries for support? How can we accomplish these goals?

1. We must allow God to open our understanding.

2. We must keep our focus clear.

3. We must be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.