Before Jesus ascended to Heaven after the resurrection, he gathered his disciples, kind of like a coach gathers his players before a game. Jesus’ locker room talk was what we call “The Great Commission.” He commanded his followers to “GO” and spread the gospel to every nation, every person. The apostles were faithful messengers and the church of Jesus Christ grew and its reach expanded. Those who accepted the good news and were saved were then baptized and encouraged to continue the good work of Jesus. “Go and tell.” The commission has not changed. Our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We are to be about the E-Game—evangelism. First, we are to share the good news of Jesus with others, and then we are to help those Christ-followers develop into full-court believers. Why? So we can reach more people for Jesus Christ.

Scriptures

2 Chronicles 20:21-22; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8

Verses

“Go therefore and make disciples in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20) “And you will be my witnesses telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Thought

Too many Christ-followers will tell you that they love God and that Jesus changed their life, but they are amazingly silent about it. God has strategically placed each of us in certain circles, with certain people that we have the opportunity to influence for the Kingdom of God. How’s your E-Game? To witness is simply to tell someone else what you know to be true. You have to be willing to take the risk. With a little forethought and planning you can create opportunities to connect with others. Frequent the same shops, stores, restaurants. As you return you begin to develop relationships, critical conversations can begin to happen. Pray that God will open doors for you to share. Pray specifically for those in your sphere of influence who don’t know Jesus, and ask God for opportunities to witness, then be willing to jump, take the shot. Great basketball players risk taking that last second shot that will win or lose the game. Christ-followers have to be willing to risk it, jump and take the shot. Eternity is in the balance. There’s no experience that compares with seeing someone you know come to know Jesus and develop into a mature follower of Christ. Elevate your E-Game, jump!

Questions

Do you have people in your sphere of influence who don’t know Jesus? Do they know you are a Christian? Have you witnessed to them? In what ways? Is your life a reflection of your faith? If watching your life is their only exposure to Jesus, what opinion would they have of Christianity? How do you share your faith and keep the door open? How have you been turned off by the way some Christians witness? If the truth of God’s word is offensive to the person with whom you are sharing, how do you deal with that? 

Response

Pray for your friends, family and co-workers who don’t know Jesus. Be specific. Ask God to open doors of opportunity so that you can share your faith. Be willing to jump when the door opens. 

Prayer

Gracious God, thank you for those who have risked sharing the truth of your word in my life. I am thankful that they cared enough to use their influence and that my salvation is a result of their faithfulness to The Great Commission. Help me to be an influential person in the lives of others. Please open doors so that I can be a witness to the truth of your grace, love and forgiveness in my life. Help me to lead others to know you, love you and serve you. In Jesus Name I pray, amen.