A Closer Look at the Great Commission: Luke 24:46-48

A Closer Look at the Great Commission: Luke 24:46-48

This week as we look closer at the Great Commission it brings us to Luke 24:46-48. The previous two passages we have looked at are used much more often than the next two, but they are all still the Great Commission and a command we must obey so let’s look at the passage!

1. The death and resurrection of Christ— Christ starts off this portion of the Great Commission by saying it was necessary for Christ to die and to rise again. This is the base and premise that our whole faith is laid upon. If Christ had not died and if He had not risen the third day, what we believe would be in vain! He was setting the precedent that He died for the whole world and because of that, He wants us to get the gospel to them!
2. Repentance and remission of sins preached— This is what we are to preach. That Christ came and died on the cross for the sins of the whole world. He did this that unbelievers might be reconciled with God. This is done by repentance. They must turn from whatever method or belief system they have and turn to Christ and Him alone. IN doing this, repenting of their sins and putting their faith in Christ, their sins are remitted and in the eyes of God, they are no longer sinners but now are saints! We must tell the world they must turn from their sin and their unbelief to Christ in order to be saved!
3. Among all nations— The gospel is not just for a select group of people or the elect. It is to go to all nations! Christ died for the whole world and the whole world deserves to hear the gospel! We have taken the gospel to many nations but have failed to reach ALL nations! We must get the gospel to all nations!
4. Starting at Jerusalem— Many times people take this and Acts 1:8 and focus on the Jerusalem part and say we must reach our area first before we reach out to the world. This is not saying we must reach our area first. Rather, here Christ is saying that Jerusalem will be the first place they will preach it. They will go back to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit. Then the first place that they would obviously preach is in Jerusalem, but Christ wanted them to go everywhere preaching the gospel. But at first this did not happen and so He had to send persecution for the gospel to be taken to other places.
5. Ye are witnesses— The disciples were first-hand witnesses of all that happened to Christ, but we are also witnesses of Christ. If you are saved, you have witnessed His saving grace and because of that, you have a testimony you can share with a lost and dying world! We are witnesses of what Christ did, not only because of what we have experienced but also because we have the Word of God for a testimony to us! Therefore we are witnesses of the gospel and have been charged to get the gospel to a lost and dying world! Are you a proclaiming witness to a lost and dying world? Every Christian should be!

There are other verses where we are commanded to take the gospel to the world. What are you going to do with this command? Will you sit idly by or will you obey? Will you be a witness of Christ to a lost and dying world or will your silence allow people to pass right by you and straight to hell? You have a responsibility and a command what are you going to do with them?