Hudson Taylor on Missions

The Great Commission

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Hudson Taylor on Missions

The Great Commission

Posted by: CDFWarrington on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 7:40AM

Image of Hudson Taylor with the quote 'The great commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.'


The Great Commission

The Great Commission is an important call to action given by Jesus Christ to his disciples. It is not merely, as Hudson Taylor said, a suggestion or an "option to be considered", but rather a "command that should be obeyed". The Great Commission instructs believers to go out into the world and spread the Gospel, making disciples of all nations and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

This command is a crucial part of the Christian faith, as it is through evangelism and discipleship that people come to know and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. While some may feel hesitant or uncertain about sharing their faith with others, it is important to remember that the Great Commission is not something that can be ignored or put off. It is a call to action that all Christians are called to follow, regardless of their personal doubts or fears.

Unification

Unification can play a significant role in enhancing the effectiveness of the Church in missions work. When different denominations come together, they can combine their resources, knowledge, and skills to reach more people and have a greater impact. Unification can also foster a sense of collaboration, which can lead to better communication and coordination between different groups.

One way that unification can help the Church in missions work is by enabling better planning and execution of mission trips. When different churches work together, they can pool their resources to plan more extensive and better-coordinated mission trips. This can lead to more efficient use of resources, greater outreach, and more significant impact in the communities they serve.

Unification can also help the Church in missions work by enabling greater cultural adaptability. When different churches work together, they can bring a diversity of perspectives and experiences to the table, which can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the communities they serve. This can help them better tailor their missions work to the specific needs and cultural context of the communities they serve, leading to greater effectiveness.

Overall, unification can play a crucial role in enhancing the Church's effectiveness in missions work. By enabling better planning and execution of mission trips and promoting greater cultural adaptability, unification can help churches reach more people and have a greater impact in the communities they serve.

Matthew 28:19-20

New American Standard Bible Logo, Dark blue background with light blue lettering and sword

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
(Matthew 28:19–20)

By obeying the Great Commission and sharing the Gospel with others, we can bring hope, joy, and salvation to those who are lost and searching for meaning in their lives. It is a powerful and transformative mission that can have a profound impact on both the individual believer and the world as a whole.

And, it should be emphasized that Jesus didn't just give this command for us to follow and not promise His support. Often the quoting of 'The Great Commission' ends halfway through verse twenty. Let us not forget that Jesus also promissed to be with us as well. So, let us embrace the Great Commission with courage and conviction, and work to fulfill this important commandment to the best of our abilities.

What difference can you make in the culture around you?

You don’t need to travel far to do missions work. You can reach out to those in your community and culture. The culture around us is an ever-changing entity that is influenced by a multitude of factors such as media, politics, and societal norms. As individuals, we may feel that we have little control over our community and the culture around us, but that is not entirely true.

Each one of us has the power to make a difference. Culture is not something that is fixed or unchangeable. We can make a difference, whether it is through our actions, our words, or our participation in initiatives that are working towards positive change. By working together, we can shine the light of God into the world.