Developing A Biblical World View

The following passages record the Great Commission as Jesus gave it to His followers:

John 20:21-23:

Jesus told His followers, "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." The Great Commission began with God. Over the years God repeatedly sent His messengers, the prophets, to draw sinful man to Himself. These messengers were often rejected. Finally, God sent His only Son, Jesus.

Everything God required of Jesus as a messenger, He also requires of us since we are sent "as" the Father sent Him. What was required of Jesus?

-He came to the world with a divine mission. -He left all to come. -He was willing to identify with fallen humanity. -He was willing to suffer and die for the mission. -He fulfilled His mission by both declaration and demonstration. -He finished the work God sent Him to do.

Luke 24:45-59:

We studied this passage in a previous chapter as the key to the Scriptures. It reveals God's plan for the death and resurrection of Jesus. It calls for sharing the message of redemption to the nations of the world.

It is not enough that Jesus died for the sins of men. Lost men are not automatically saved. We must share the Gospel with them and bring them to God. The penalty of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Because of sin, every man and woman is headed for Hell. Only those who accept the Lord Jesus and receive forgiveness for sin will be saved.

God does not want one person to perish:

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

There is no question as to God's desire for everyone in the world to be saved:

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)

But. . .

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14)