FROM THE TOP
LELAND ACKER chreporter@mediactr.com
As Jesus was preparing to leave the earth (at least in the physical sense), he gave the church some parting instructions.

He told the church to "Go, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe whatsoever things I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:18-20)."

In the English translation of this verse, "go" is a command. In the Greek translation, "go" is a participle. So the Greek translation is, "As you are going, teach all nations."

So we have two good reasons to be on the move sharing the Gospel. First, it is a commandment. Second, it is an expectation.

However, there are more reasons we should "go."

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote in Romans 1:14-15, "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise. So as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are in Rome also."

Paul said he was a debtor to the people of the world. He felt he owed everyone the opportunity to hear the Gospel. That is what kept Paul going. He had a debt to pay.

So a third reason we have for going is that we owe it to the people around us to share the Gospel with them. I am not advocating that we become obnoxious in our approach. There is a time for every purpose under Heaven.

Opportunities to let your faith show, and to share your faith will arise. What I am proposing is that we utilize those opportunities and do what God called us to do. We create those opportunities by "going."

So, how do we "go?" Good question. It starts by demonstrating your faith beyond the church pew.

Go, volunteer to coach a little league team. Join a civic organization. Live your faith, even when you are at work. This is how we "go" on an individual level.

However, when Jesus said, "Go," he was talking to the church. So the church, as a body, should "go."

This is one of the reasons Denson Springs Missionary Baptist Church, the church I pastor, has undertaken an apartment ministry. We see people who need ministry, and we know the only way they will be ministered to is if we go to them. We haven't quite mastered the art of going, and sometimes we just don't know what to do. However, God is still blessing, even though we are still learning how to "go." God will teach you too. Let's GO!

Next week, we'll discuss "teaching."