OUR GREAT COMMISSION FROM THE KING
After being raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit, our Lord Jesus appeared to His eleven disciples and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those that had seen Him after He had arisen. He then instructed them with this commission: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all of mankind in general.”
This same Commission applies to every Believer today. This is not a casual suggestion from the Lord where we pick and choose whether or not to obey Him. This is a Divine “Executive Order” from The King of the Universe!
Built within this Executive Order are several things every Believer must be well established in.
- What the word “world” means and its references.
- What the word “preach” means, and
- What the “Gospel” is that we are to preach.
- THE WORLD
This is the Greek word kosmos, which refers to the order, arrangement, and adornment of the present conditions of human affairs, that is in alienation from and in opposition to the order, arrangement, and adornment of God’s Kingdom. This is in broad terms.
The more detailed terms involve our going into the areas of influence in society that shape and mold the present culture or mind-sets, and “unpack” the Kingdom of God and His influence for this area of society.
For example:
We are to go throughout the globe and preach the gospel to every person that they might be saved. We then make them disciples of Christ. We are then sent into the various worlds of societal influence – We have the world of Medicine, Politics, Sports, Law, Arts, etc. Each one of us are assigned to at least one of these worlds.
Your gifts, talents, and abilities are strong indicators of the world of influence that you’re assigned to. The Holy Spirit of God will lead you into the specifics as you seek Him and stay in your process of development.
- WHAT “PREACH” MEANS
The word “Preach” is the Greek word kerux. Kerux is a governing term invented by the ancient Greeks. The Emperor or King, for example, would dispatch his Imperial Kerux to cities or regions that he was about to invade, because this person was the Emperor or King’s most trusted spokesperson.
Through this governmental Authorized Representative, called a kerux, the Emperor or King would announce his expectations of the people in the land he had invaded and conquered. He would now introduce the laws and culture of his kingdom to the newly conquered region of people.
A kerux was also known as herald, teacher, evangelists – one authorized to call and conduct a general assembly. This spokesperson was so trusted, that he was the only one allowed to mix and pour wine for the Emperor or King. Nehemiah was kerux of the Persian King Artaxerxes.
As Believers, we are called and “Commissioned” to act as a kerux for Christ. Remembering that we are His most trusted spokesperson for Him and His Kingdom.
As we go into our assigned world, we must be like Caleb and Joshua, after they had scouted out the Promised Land, they said, “Let us go up at once and possess it for we are well able to overcome it.”
- WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
Most people, when asked this question, respond with, “It is the good news.” But what is the “Good News?” Actually the phrase “good news” was rarely ever used in the Greek language because it means, “Something that’s so absolutely amazing that it couldn’t possibly be true.” Nothing that fit this description ever occurred…until Christ came and died, and arose for our Salvation.
The Gospel is the good news of God’s Grace shown and released on our behalf! (Galatians 1:6-8)
The “Strong’s Greek Dictionary” brings to light the power of Grace. It is the Greek word Charis [khar’- ece] – It means:
A) God’s Divine influence upon the heart, and; B) Its reflection in the life. Reflection – means to project out the inner image.
The “Zondervan Encyclopedia of Bible Words” states this about Grace:
“This Grace is a dynamic force that does more than affect our standing with God by crediting us with Righteousness.
This Grace affects our experience as well. Grace is marked always by God’s enabling work within us to overcome our helplessness.”
“We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own Power,
when we learned He had invited us to share in His wonderful goodness.” II Peter 1:3 CEV
GRACE is:
- God’s Divine Enablement or Empowerment to achieve His plan, endure hardship, or access Him.
- The equipment God has given us to be able to obey Him and please Him throughout our lives.
- The supernatural ability to obey God’s Word, live a life of holiness, live a sin-free life, and serve Him acceptably;
- God’s willingness to use His ability on our behalf;
- The Power of God to meet the evil tendencies in my members (soul), with equal or greater force, so that I can overcome ALL of them.
We have this GREAT COMMISSION from our Great King, to go into the world of influence that we’ve been assigned to, and preach, model, and demonstrate, as an Authorized Representative of Him and His Kingdom, the Good News of His Amazing Grace!
This is what you were born to do, GO, and fulfill your Divine Commission!
PEACE,
Apostle C. S. Banks
