Society of Congolese Evangelical Communities International Inc.

THE EVANGELIST VOICE’S BLOG

OUR GREAT COMMISSION: A DISCIPLES MAKING MISSION

THE HOPE OF OUR MISSION

Jesus walked the dirty road of Palestine with might and accomplished tremendous work for his father’s, and on behalf of humankind. Before living this world, he commissioned his eleven faithful disciples to continue the mission, or to be in charge of what he has started. The New Testament records five commissioning passages between Jesus and the disciples, not just one. These are Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:9-20, Luke 24:36-53, John 20:19-31, and Acts 1:1-11. How do we read these passages? One of the best ways is to ask yourself/yourselves three (3)

simple questions and answer them. You may do it alone, or by breaking in small groups for those who love the fellowship of Jesus’ followers. The simple three (3) questions may be: (1)What commands does Jesus give? (2) What promises does Jesus make? (3) What is the hoped outcome of following Jesus’ commands? 

Let us look at Mark 16:9-20:

1. What commands does Jesus give?
   1. To go into all the world,
   2. To proclaim the gospel to the whole creation,
   3. To baptize those who will believe.
2. What promises does Jesus make? Those who believe will, in Jesus’ name:
   1. Cast out demons,
   2. Speak in new tongues,
   3. Handle snakes without being harmed,
   4. Drink any deadly poison without being hurt
   5. Lay hands on sick people, and they will be healed
3. What is the hoped outcome of following Jesus’ commands? To be able, in Jesus’ name to change people’s lives, and change the world.

So, if our hope for obeying Jesus’s commands is to be filled by the Holy Spirit, and change lives, and change the world, what happened to the seven (7) sons of Sceva–the Jewish chief priest?

According to Dr. Luke, “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them. Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.’ Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit said to them in reply, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered them all, and so overpowered them that they fled out of the house naked and wounded.” (Acts‬ 19:11-16‬ NRSV‬‬)

These seven sons, like other Jesus’ contemporary critics, did not believe in Jesus. Therefore, the use of his name was powerless for them. What about? 

Do you really believe in Jesus’ name? Can your handkerchief hill the sick in Jesus’ name? Is there any sin in your life? What is its impact on your life mission?

Please, can you share your best and worse evangelism experiences?