The Great Commission

Mr 16:10-15 “And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Each girl knew the Romans Road and all were trained to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We were ready to tackle the world. As we loaded the van, the Blue Angels’ volleyball team began their singing and laughing getting a mindset for the witnessing we would do for the next hour or two. These were great days during the summer for the girls who had won the state championship in volleyball but I was more proud that they were truly happy in Christ and all were soul winners!

We divided up by twos but my eyes followed each couple as they walked the subdivision.

Knock, knock…..”Hi, my name is Sharon Loyd and I am from Southside Baptist Church. My team and I were visiting in this area and wanted to know if you have a local church where you attend?” As I asked the question, I reached out to the elderly lady (must have been over 80) to give her a tract. Without hesitation and with an attitude she responded with, “I’ll have you to know I have been a member of _________Church for 70 years and I don’t need you to tell me about anything!” And then, she slammed the door in our face. It was such a loud, hard slam in more ways than one, that I backed up, looked at the team member, smiled and said, “Remember, not everyone who is a member of such and such church is a born-again believer and you must try and share the gospel with everyone. Not everyone will be receptive. Don’t be offended but keep knocking. Someone will hear and for that ONE the angels rejoice!” And after leaving our tract, off we went to the next door!! Soul winning can be sad and difficult but it must be done!

Over 30 people were won to the Lord that summer! What a great time we had. “But did they really get saved?” you may ask. Yes, some did and joined us in church, eventually, but God is the judge as we were obedient to give the message of Jesus Christ. Once a person received Christ, we worked at getting them to the local church. Why? First of all to follow in believer’s baptism upon profession of their faith but also for the training in the Word of God to be used of Him for the REST OF THEIR LIVES.

“Look at all those little pigs, Mrs. Loyd,” Tonya yelled as her eyes got bigger and bigger. “What are those? Pigs?” I couldn’t believe right smack in the middle of Belleview, Florida in the back yard of a subdivision were several little pigs! Surely, this is not true. As we walked closer looking more at the strange little “pigs" than for souls to witness to, I noticed that they were NOT PIGS, but little Chihuahuas. With a busted gut laugh, we bent down to the fence and made our acquaintance with the little pig looking Chihuahuas! We were so relaxed and happy after that fun experience we didn’t even realize our time for sharing the gospel was ending. Soul winning can be fun and relaxing!

“Where is Jesse? Somebody look for Jesse!” It was time to get on the bus and get back to the church, but one student could not be found. This was not unusual for Jesse. If there was a Jehovah’s Witness in the area, Jesse would find them and get stuck for the remainder of the time. Sure enough as we back tracked, there was Jesse with his Bible opened to the Gospel while the man kept arguing with him. “Jesse!” I called, but he wouldn’t turn around. I saw his hand motion for us to leave him alone. We walked back to the bus and waited. The young people were to be back at the church for pizza and I had to make a decision to interrupt the twosome. This time, Jesse turned around to me leaving a tract with the young man. Soul winning can be challenging and time consuming, but ALL must be told.

“Never argue with people, Jesse. When they give you a hard time, just smile and place the tract in their hand and go to the next door because there WILL BE someone who will listen.”

Those days of soul winning training and practice with the young people are over, but not soul winning in itself. It is a command to ALL OF US until the day of Christ. Now, as adults, they have the responsibility to do the same with their own crowd. At the conclusion of The Great Commission, Jesus promised, “Mt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The teaching of all things is not only to those who are lost but for the saved as well. People must be trained in the Word just like these young people mentioned above. They were taught how to go and share the gospel and we walked side by side with them. Great days, folks, great days, as you practice this wonderful commission to GO! As we walked side by side with them, even so does our Savior walk side by side with us because He promises to be with us…..even unto the end of the world. Amen! I remember Dr. Synder, President of Baptist International Missions Incorporated saying, "You can't witness to the wrong person." With this, I say, "Go gettim!"

Until next time, Lord willing,
Sharon