Jump to content






Photo
- - - - -

3 Great Commission Barriers

Posted by Steve Grusendorf , 04 September 2011 · 1620 views

Mission Missions Great Commission Spiritual Formation Matthew 28:19
Matthew 28:19 says: "Go and make disciples of all nations". If this verse is to have any authority on those of us who follow Jesus than before we do anything else we must GO. So many of us in the Alliance focus on the all nations portion of this verse and this is good. We see the evidence of this focus all over our globe as we consistently initiate bold and new ventures to reach the least and the lost. Yet, in my own spiritual journey, I have found the attacks of the enemy are often more insidious when it comes to the former section of this passage, not the latter. If this verse is to have any authority in our lives as Christ followers that we first must GO! In His cunning, the enemy has stranded more believers from reaching all nations because he's stopped them from going. Let me shed some light on three barriers that they enemy has used in our culture to hinder Christ followers from going.

Barrier #1: Retirement
We are all working toward retirement. That magical time when we don't have to worry any longer about the daily grind. The time when our lazy days are filled with gold, cruises and lounging around the house all day. Admittedly, retirement is a ways off for some of us, but it's still a reality. Our culture tells us that when we put in our 30 years of service we're entitled to some time off. To some R&R. The problem is that many of us take a cue from our culture and retire not only from our physical work but from Gods' work as well. "Reaching the world is for the young and the idealistic" we say. "I'm too old for that. I have done my time, now it's time for the next generation to step up" Really? Where do we find that in the Bible? Moses was 80 when God started to use Him. Abraham was 99 when he received the son of promise. Caleb was 80 when he was used by God to siege a city. The work of God is too important; we are never given permission to retire. The truth some of us need to hear is this; there is no such thing as spiritual retirement.

Barrier #2: Disability
Perhaps you or someone you know draws disability. Most who do don't like it but nonetheless it's a fact of life. there are times when, physically speaking, we simply can't accomplish our jobs anymore. At this point we stop working and draw a partial paycheck from our employer. This is a great way to help those who are facing physical challenges but we enter dangerous ground when we allow the idea to spill over into our spiritual lives. Moses had a speech impediment. Fanny Crosby was blind. When Moses brought up his disability to God, God responded: WHO GAVE YOU THAT TONGUE! Just because you face a physical disability does not mean God has put you on the shelf as damaged goods. He desires to see you get in the game. The truth some of us need to hear is this: There is no such thing as Spiritual Disability.

Barrier #3: Ineligibility
"I'm sorry...but you're not eligible." How many times have you had to hear that? Whether it's for a grant or loan, a service or an award no one likes to be ineligible. Ineligibility seems to be an inescapable fact of life. You must have all the criteria and a little luck otherwise there no chance. Friends, with God no on is ineligible. No sin, no mater how big, can keep you from serving God. When are sins are forgiven we can be in the game. god used David, a man who committed adultery and murder. God used Paul, a man who once hunted down Christians. Don't worry God can use you. The truth some of us need to hear is this: There is no such thing as Spiritual Ineligibility.

The nations of the world are filled with lost and dying people. Yet let's be clear it's not the few and the privileged that are called to reach them, it's all of us. All who follow Jesus are called to GO! Some of us will not land on distant shores but all of us can pray. All of us can sacrifice. All of us can speak the truth to those around us. Don't resign yourself to apathy because you're too old, wounded or stained. Ask God to do something miraculous. Our world is in desperate need of men and women like us, those who are not good enough by the world's standard, to reach them for Jesus Christ. I pray that God would help us see and dismantle, in our lives and churches, the barriers the enemy has placed around the world go.

Community Questions:

Do you see any other barriers hindering us from "GOING" to all the nations?

How have you or how has your church become intentional about overcoming these barriers?

What has God done in your life to help you go?





Photo
Don Sappington
Sep 06 2011 10:57 AM
You nailed some issues we need to discuss Steve :unsure: ! Why do we allow the "world around us" to whisper these lies in our ear? Why do we believe the lies? I have seen the value of inspired retired individuals contributing to our international teams in certain places around the world. Could this untapped wealth of knowledge, passion, available resource (time and financial) be harnessed in many other places in our Alliance world? What if ...?
  • Report
Photo
Albert Morse
Sep 10 2011 12:19 AM
To echo your statement I would say that as soon as you step outside the threshold of your home you are going. As soon as you see someone face or hear someones voice after you have woken up you have met the nations. They are potential disciples. Start teaching them.
  • Report
Photo
Steve Grusendorf
Sep 10 2011 03:45 AM
Hey Albert,

True. We are always "on call" aren't we. Thanks for the post!
  • Report
Photo
Steve Grusendorf
Sep 10 2011 03:46 AM
It really is challenging isn't it Don. All three of those concepts are good in the working world but warped when they find their way into the spiritual world. What if....(that's a dangerous question!)
  • Report
Photo
Albert Morse
Sep 10 2011 06:20 AM

Hey Albert,

True. We are always "on call" aren't we. Thanks for the post!

Yep!!

Matt 28:16-20 is so powerful.
  • Report

March 2024

S M T W T F S
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627 28 2930
31      

Recent Entries

Recent Comments