We started a new Sunday evening series called “All.” At least that’s the abbreviated title—the full title is “all the church taking all the gospel to all the world all the time by all the means necessary.”
Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-19). I am more and more amazed and disappointed in how this gets watered down…
- “All the church can’t mean me because I’m nothing special.”
- “All the gospel only means the part about ‘getting saved,’ right?”
- “All the world is only for people who are called to be missionaries.”
- “All the time is just for special ‘evangelical outreaches.’”
- “All the means is just whatever happens in a typical church service.”
I checked Webster’s Dictionary and all means “wholly, entirely, completely.” I even checked my Greek Bible dictionary and discovered that all means, um, “all.” I think the problem comes from another word in that verse: therefore. If I don’t believe that I belong to Christ, then I’m not operating in all of His authority. If I’m not operating in His authority, I will more than likely find all the excuses I can to avoid being a part of the all Jesus intended.
Craig T. Owens 
November 20, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I think Verse 20 also has to be included in order to answer this question. In v18 Jesus tells us that he has all authority. In v19 he tells us to go and share the good news with all the world. In v20 he promises to be with at all times no matter where we are. So as Jesus sends us out to spread his word, he assures us that he has power over all things and that he will be with us watching over us at all times.
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November 20, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Hey everyone… Dave Czerny is my Husband! I love you honey, Happy Birthday!
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November 20, 2008 at 8:55 pm
I think we need to stop thinking of evangelism as a formula (i.e., If I go over the Romans Road with someone, they will get saved). Instead, just live life and allow God to orchestrate His divine appointments for us. That divine appointment may entail the Romans Road, but it may not. God is the ultimate Creator; therefore, His creativity is limitless. I challenge myself to allow Him to be creative in my relationships and endeavors to be relevant in the lives of those around me. What about you?
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November 22, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I LIKE this sermon series’ full title!!! If you can’t say amen, say ouch, right? Radical walk we might call it, but, as Betsy said, we must be open to all the creative ‘harvest work’ that our infinite God will show.
I was in a store with a spirit-filled sister a while back, and in my normal converation, I said something about the Lord. She suddenly looked around as if embarrassed should anyone have overheard. It shocked me, I played dumb, but it hurt my heart for her.
Every step we take is a divine appointment.
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November 24, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Kelly,
You are still quite the word smith. I have always enjoyed in the way in which you write. How are you?
Aaron
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November 25, 2008 at 7:53 am
Brother Aaron!!!!
I’m very well and “wordsmith” is quite generous, but I like it. I’ve thought of you and prayed for you. Let’s catch up later.
Kelly
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