"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:16-20
These verses are well known to most Christians as The Great Commission. And we have likely heard many sermons and read numerous lessons on them. But my reading this morning looked at it in a way that I believe is vital to our country and world today.
Athletes like Jackie Robinson (MLB), Charlie Sifford (PGA), and Althea Gibson (tennis & from South Carolina), opened doors for African Americans to their perspective sports. I do not believe those doors should have ever been closed in the first place but the fact of history is that unfortunately they were. We cannot go back and rewrite history, we can only change our attitude in the present to make a better future.
But opening doors is also a major theme at the heart of the gospel. Jesus commanded us to go to "all nations" (v19). The word nations come from the Greek word ethnos, from which we get the word ethnic. So in other words, Jesus said "Go and make disciples of all ethnicities." There is no differentiation of races in the Bible, we are only one human race (Genesis 1:26-27). And just as the barrier breaking athletes I mentioned above were able to share their sports with other athletes, now we all have the privilege of sharing the love and compassion of Christ with everyone.
Through the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior we can now share that love to someone who may have never dreamed they would be loved. We can welcome them into the family of God because Jesus has opened the doors of salvation to all who believe.
These verses are well known to most Christians as The Great Commission. And we have likely heard many sermons and read numerous lessons on them. But my reading this morning looked at it in a way that I believe is vital to our country and world today.
Athletes like Jackie Robinson (MLB), Charlie Sifford (PGA), and Althea Gibson (tennis & from South Carolina), opened doors for African Americans to their perspective sports. I do not believe those doors should have ever been closed in the first place but the fact of history is that unfortunately they were. We cannot go back and rewrite history, we can only change our attitude in the present to make a better future.
But opening doors is also a major theme at the heart of the gospel. Jesus commanded us to go to "all nations" (v19). The word nations come from the Greek word ethnos, from which we get the word ethnic. So in other words, Jesus said "Go and make disciples of all ethnicities." There is no differentiation of races in the Bible, we are only one human race (Genesis 1:26-27). And just as the barrier breaking athletes I mentioned above were able to share their sports with other athletes, now we all have the privilege of sharing the love and compassion of Christ with everyone.
Through the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior we can now share that love to someone who may have never dreamed they would be loved. We can welcome them into the family of God because Jesus has opened the doors of salvation to all who believe.
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