Where are you in the
Cycle of
Obedience as it relates to the Great Commission?
LEVEL I - VISION This is basic to any goal. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” Proverbs 29:18 (Hab. 2:1-4, Acts 2:1618). A simple but clarifying definition for vision is: Something God has given you to do from His Word. We know our Lord Jesus Christ gave us the vision for the Great Commission in some formula of words five different times between His resurrection and ascension (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, John 20:21, Acts 1:8). We may differ on many things, but most all agree that the local church has been given human-wide responsibilities with the gospel. The Great Commission is not a call but a command. The command settles the fact I am to do it; the call deals with the position I occupy while I do it. Let us settle the fact we are to have an active part in world evangelism. That is our God given vision delivered to us from His Son through His Word.
LEVEL II - BURDEN The burden comes out of a vision. A vision lets me see what I am to be doing. The burden comes because I am not doing it. I am not referring here to “a burden for souls” as much as one caused by knowing we are displeasing the dear Lord Jesus in His vision for the church and its members. Simply put, I now see what I should have been doing but was not, and I feel a burden because it grieves Him.
LEVEL III COMMITMENT Once I see the vision of what I am to be doing and get a burden because I am not doing it, I make a commitment to Him to get involved at whatever level He assigns for me. Once again, do not confuse this commitment as being to a place. That will come later. It is a surrender/ commitment to the command of our Lord. Paul verbalizes it in chapters 9, 22 and 24 of Acts: “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Isaiah responds to the Lord in chapter 6, “Here am I; send me,” and Samuel in I Samuel FIRSTBIBLE INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL 20 FIRSTBIBLE 20
A MINISTRY MINISTRY OF OF FIRST FIRST BAPTIST BAPTIST CHURCH CHURCH OF OF MILFORD MILFORD A