Catch the Vision

The purpose of the resurrection of Christ is to provide salvation and deliverance for a lost world.  Revelation 7:9 reads, “And there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.”  The Bible states that in heaven there will be a representative from every ethno-linguistic people group in the world.  If saved people from every people group will be there, then we still have work to do.

 The Gospel is for everyone.  But, what does that mean?  (1) Everyone has access to the Gospel message; (2) Everyone can hear the Gospel in their own language; (3) Everyone has the Scripture in their own language; and (4) Everyone one has a church among their own people group where they can pray together, fellowship, sing praise, study God’s Word, and use the spiritual gifts God has given them.

So what can we, as believers, do?  God wants us to worship Him in action and obedience.  Become a prayer warrior and be informed about home and foreign missions.  God wants everyone to have the opportunity for personal evangelism and missions.  Ask God to show you your special calling.   Be determined to become a Bible student, a soul winner and pro-active in the ministry of your church.  Also, become a scriptural, spontaneous and sacrificial giver. 

Catch the vision!  The purpose of the Church is to glorify God by obeying the Great Commission and the Great Commandments.  Matthew 28:19 reads, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Mark 12:30-31 reads, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this:  “Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

The process of obeying these commandments is designed to produce disciples of Jesus Christ by worship, loving your neighbor as yourself, discipleship, evangelism and fellowship.  “And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11).

Pastor Ron Barker can be reached at (661) 822-3138 or go to www.fbctehachapi.org.