Thursday, January 30, 2014

The Great Commission

The Great Commission
Power From On High To Set The Captives Free

Mark 16:15-18

     And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
    -So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.


Luke 4:18-19

     “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” -Jesus

Matthew 28:18-20

     And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I would like to take a minute or two and give a description of what it is like for us as Christians being given the Great Commission. The Great Commission is like a badge that allows us to go into the prisons the devil has built and to set the captives free.  The badge says, “The Great Commission - Power From On High To Set The Captives Free”

Imagine that you are the servant of a great king. You know him well. You have been with him a long time and often you have dined with him. Many times you have sat through sessions in the court where he has dealt justly with every case that has been brought before him. You know what he loves and how fair he is. And you know his heart, for you have often talked with him late into the night.
  One day he calls you in and says, “I have heard that there is trouble in one of my cities and I want to send you to take care of it. I have known you for a long time and I trust that you will do what I would do if I were there. To facilitate this I am also giving you full authority over everyone no matter how high their position. No matter how high up you find corruption and injustice, you have the power to remove that person and place another in his position. I have many matters of importance to attend to so I am entrusting this job to you whom I love and trust. When you speak, you speak for me and when you act you act for me.”
Now when you arrive at the city you find an immediate warm welcome by the high official in charge and he does all things to make you feel like you have made it to the height of honor and that the two of you will soon become best friends, both of you work hard for the king after all. However, after only a short time of investigating you find that there are indeed many people who have been unfairly judged and thrown into prison. You bring these things to the high official and he pretends to need to look into it, as though he has no idea about these matters. At the same time, he gives an order to give the prisoners more freedom, moved to bigger jail cells, given more time out in the courtyard, and even some improvements to the courtyard to make it more pleasant while he finds out the truth about their circumstances of arrest.
However, after more investigating on your part you discover that the corruption is deep at the top level and you now have two choices. You can either go back to the king and tell him about the “good” changes to the prisoner’s circumstances, with hopes of more changes soon to follow, or you can begin a hard fight with this official that will end with his removal and the prisoners actually set free, not just, “made more comfortable” but still prisoners.
Here it takes courage because the high official likes his kingdom that he has built for himself and he knows that the king has been to busy to come out and deal with him. He also knows that if he puts up a fight he can probably intimidate you from doing him any harm. So first he tries to buy you out with flattery and other subtle means of bribery, but when he finds that you are immovable and that you intend to remove him from office and bring him to justice for his crimes he becomes violent and his true nature comes out. Now here, you are tested in full as to whether or not the authority you have been given from the king is real or not. You were given the commission from the king to do what he would do! This now is requiring you to act  immediately on behalf of the prisoners and carrying out justice for them and their release. If you are bold and courageous, not intimidated by your opponent, you will have the victory and will return to the king with confidence, knowing you did all that he asked and have a good report of justice for the captives having been carried out.

This is our authority in Christ and if we are undaunted by all that the devil throws at us, we will indeed set his captives free and return to the king with glad tidings of great joy! We will receive the reward of being good and faithful servants! So do not be intimidated by every fear or seeming impossibility, Gideon went forward with God and three hundred men and defeated a very daunting foe. The devil will use i.e. fear of losing your job or doubts that your efforts will really matter. He is a very intimidating jailer and will use every fear he knows you have, to make you get discouraged and thus leave his prisoner in prison. But if you persist you will be victorious for the authority you carry is from God. He gave it to you when He gave you the great commission. You did not give yourself this authority, God gave it to you, but it is only good if you obey His call to love your neighbor and desire to see them set free. If you love your own life you will easily be overcome by the devil's flattery and will leave with a report that sounds good but actually no one was set free like the first option in this story.

     God bless you all! And may we be found diligently still setting captives free when Jesus returns!




21 comments:

  1. Seth talks about a "Great Commission" given by God to us which involves "setting the captives free". What do you think he means by setting captives free and do you think it pertains to you?

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    1. Everything was good. It was perfect.

      Guterres Mexico

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  2. Matthew 28
    16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -

    I never heard anyone refer to this Great Commission so I googled it and these were the verses it brought up. I see Jesus got His power from God in verse 18 and ... Thank you Seth. God Bless
    Claudette FL

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    1. Hi Claudette, That is exactly the Great Commission. Because we are ambassadors to GOD We share the same responsibilities. As a Christian, it is our responsibility to help others to know about GOD and HIS love for us, HIS children; to help others to understand the reason JESUS was born to us. HIS birth on this earth is to build that "bridge" of total connection to the Almighty GOD.

      After Christmas Holidays I started to rethink and undo a number of things affecting my time with GOD I have found out that inside of my job as a Nurse, I am exposed to the weakness and frailty of the human body. Every time, every day that I work i see this. I have found myself praying for people's conditions. And in doing this I realize how much I need the LORD in my life. I have also came to the acceptance that I am a light for GOD's ministry. GOD will want to use us in various different places. Each individual will find him/her self in that particular place of a calling to go and make disciples of those there. JESUS did also say that "when you see him you see the FATHER.....b /cause they are one.

      GOD will always provide the resources needed for us to get this job done. JESUS's directive, "go out and make disciples of others, whether they are at home, at work" teaching them of the things of GOD unto repentance.

      GOD's Blessings,
      Sophia, CT

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  3. Everyone who knows Jesus is commanded to go out and tell the world about him.that is what are personal testomnies are used for to witness to others about the powerful,loving grace of Jesus. God " wants all of us to know him and have a personal relationship with him. His desire is none should perish. How are people going to know if we, as christians don't tell them.

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  4. As christians,we all are to take the gospel to others,and tell our testomnies about Jesus. Faith comes by hearing the word.We are witness to Jesus love, and saving grace. we are to spread the wordto others, and then let the holy spirit work in their hearts.

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  5. HI SANDY. I love your comments. i particularly like "His desire is none should perish". And so true, "how are people going to know if we, as Christians don't tell them". love,
    Claudette FL/CT

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  6. Jesus is here now and I don't feel like He ever left, not if He is going to be sending me on a mission.Don't ever be held back by any negative force. The devil is a force to be reckon with. I beleive that its a form of most of all religions that we have to reckon with the devil. Recon means deals with. I term the Commission as a job that had to be done. I beleive all the missionaries have the commission to create more Christians. ....and being a Christian you are released from bondage. Georgianna CT/NY/FL

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  7. I never heard of the Great Commission but its perfect how everything is put together and it seems as Jesus is trying too save his childrens no matter how we are he still loves us and well do everything to save us before the last trumpet plays. It doesnt matter if your Christian or not we only have one Godwhos are saver and our Father.
    Nereyda Reynoso 21
    Fort Myers Florida

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  8. I really did not understand the great comission. But I know everything happen in life for a reason wether it is good or bad Plus if you are truly God child he will always be there for you especi on your time of needs. -Blanca Fort Myers FL

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  9. haven't heard much about the great comission. but what i learn from this is that God will always love and forgive people.no matter what u done theres always God you can have faith in.
    Juanita M
    Fort Myers FL

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  10. JESUS IS IN MY HEART. I AM DEAF. I HAD A ACCIDENT WITHOUT HELMET ON. I STILL HAVE FAITH IN JESUS. NOT NEGATIVE. I PRAY BEFORE I GO TO BED AND GET UP. JESUS IS GOD.

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  11. JESUS HAS CALLED US TO ALL BE DISCIPLES FOR THE LORD. I FEEL HONORED THAT HE HAS CHOOSEN TO SAVE ME. BECAUSE OF THIS I WANT TO WALK IN THE PATH OF WHATEVER HIS WILL FOR MAY BE. ITS NOT ABOUT WHAT I WANT ALWAYS. BUT FROM MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERICENE WHEN HE HAS GOTTEN ME THROUGH MY MOST TRYING TIMES AND I LOOK BACK ON THE SITUATIONS, I CAN SEE HOW HE IS ALWAYS THERE FOR US . I THANK THE LORD FOR ALL HE DOES FOR ME EVERY DAY AND NIGHT.. GOD BLESS YOU ALL LINDA FL. .

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  12. To answer you about the great commission is to be a good steward and to be a witness for the Lord. Jesus told us to go out into the world to be called a servent for Him. Carmella visiting fl.

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  13. John from Ft Myers Age 38....I have really never herd of the great commision but after reading the articlI fully agree agree that all good things happen for a reason and if u continue to believe that GOD will take care of us.

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  14. Seth talks about a "Great Commission" given by God to us which involves "setting the captives free". What do you think he means by setting captives free and do you think it pertains to you?
    Setting the captives free means to spread the word of God to people who do not know Him.

    This duty pertains to people who believe in God, and have been called to serve him. Of course, this duty it is so high in importance, not everybody can or should perform it.

    Griselle, 34, Puerto Rico

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  15. Griselle excepted a bible from me today. It was a beautiful pocket bible...King James...NT. Please say a prayer she reads it.
    Claudette FL

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  16. I've been set free by Jesus Christ on the cross. Bob from Ohio

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  17. LA GRANDE COMMISSION QUE JESUS AVAIT MENTIONER A SES DISCIPLES CONCERNE TOUS LES CHRETIENS . APRES AVOIR ACCEPTER JESUS POUR SON SAUVER PERSONEL C'EST NOTRE DEVOIR A NOUS ET UN ORDRE DE JESUS LUIMEME DE DIRE A TOUS CEUX QUI NE CONNAISSENT PAS DIEU ET LE BESOIN D,UN SAUVEUR . LA BIBLE NOUS DIT QUE TOUS ONT PECHER ET SONT PRIVER DE LA GLOIRE DE DIEU. JESUS SEUL EST LE VRAI CHEMIN LA VERITE ET LA VIE NUL NE VIENT AU PERE QUE PAR LUI (JESUS).L'ADVERSAIRE, SATAN RETIENT LES HOMMES DANS LE PECHE, MAIS JESUS SEUL SAUVE LUI SEUL DELIVRE ET LUI SEUL GUARANTI LA VIE ETERNELLE. CLAIRE HAITI

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    1. I agree with chantal translation but its imposible to translate the second sentence. Serge quebec

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  18. Claire is saying,
    Jesus said to all people-"People must be kind one to each other. Jesus is the only person the trust. And he is the good direction to follow. Satan hold people in bad world. But only Jesus saves the world and guarante eternal life. I translate but not perfect in english. Did the best I could . It is a good think that se wrote. All positive all the way. Chantal Quebec

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