THE GREAT COMMISSION IS GENERALLY STUDIED IN MATTHEW, BUT IN SPITE OF ITS PROBLEMS, WE NEED MARK'S VIEW

1. There are some problems in Mark- to understand the actual commission- What Christ really said!
2. And the context- the problem of the signs; and truly these signs followed Acts- & front line Missions
3. But if we want the excitement of the Commission and the Signs- we had better study it well, So that Satan will not be able to trick us out of what the Lord would have us to do! 

I.- WHAT JESUS ACTUALLY SAID  Mark 16:15

Sometimes a deeper study of the original languages, various translations, -brings problems

A.- IS IT A PROPHECY OR A COMMAND WHEN JESUS SAID "GO YE" ? FOR THE TRANSLATION MISSES THE POINT

1. I struggled - this more freely translates- "having gone unto all the world"- you are going!
2. much has been preached about this & Matt 28:19 -a strong command "Go ye" - & many have obeyed
3. The Christian is left in the World- Forced to communicate with world,- & forced to travel-

B.- THE REAL COMMAND THE JOB TO BE DONE- "PREACH THE GOSPEL" -THIS WE NEED TO BE SURE OF!

1. Preach is (Kerusso) or Herald - Like a rooster would herald the Sunrise -joyous, automatic, loud
2. The Gospel- means "Good News" and Paul was not ashamed of it "Rom 1:16 -Power of God- Salvation
3. He applied it personally- I Tim 1:15 - Jesus came to save sinners- I am chief. -Have you received?

C.- THE RECIPIENTS OF THE ACTION - "TO EVERY CREATURE" OR TO ALL CREATION, TO EVERY PERSON!

1. St. Francis of Assisi took it quite literally- and preached to the birds, dogs, cattle- all creatures
2. There is no doubt that this really means that highest of God's creation- all mankind, every one
3. The real emphasis is not on the "go", but on the "preach to every person" - Don't go, but silent

We as a church want to do our part in this great commission,- and some ways we have done well!

II.- WHAT HAVE WE DONE ABOUT THIS ????

It is good every once in a while to take a good look at what has been done, self evaluation

A.- TODAY BEGINS THE 30th ANNIVERSARY YEAR CELEBRATION OF OUR FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY - CBFMS -MOVEMENT

1. Our church is privileged to help with their more than 500 missionaries- in 20 countries
2. Our church also works through CBHMS, and Arizona Bapt. Conv.- & a host of other mission groups
3. Our missionary giving- to preach and reach to every creature- Beyond our expenses-$10,565.--

B.- THIS PARTICULAR MISSION SOCIETY BEGAN BACK IN 1943-44 FROM THE NORTHERN BAPT. CONVENTION -

1. The first years were hard- disasters- I remember a plane crash in Congo- young lives taken- more
2. The Chinese Bamboo Curtain fell with a thud- Hanna Cole left dead- buried under rocks by trail
3. We fought for every dollar- but grew- "Miracle Mission Soc. " but 71-$4 Mil; 72- $5 Mil- ??

C.- TODAY OUR FOREIGN MISSION WORK IS STILL "GOING", AND LOOKING FOR MORE TO BE WILLING TO GO

1. Our people use Radio, Translation, Medical, Literature, Educational, Church Planting, Evangelism
2. But the prime function is to be "Indigenous"- Self functioning, self governing local church
3. But the work is still done just to "preach the Gospel to every person" - much on 1-1 basis

Our church has done well in its missionary support, and your outreach greater each year!

III.- WHAT SHALL WE DO TO OBEY OUR LORD?  What is it that Jesus would say to us today?

Maybe we have not done so well after all?

A.- OUR MISSION SOCIETIES, FOREIGN, HOME, AND IN ARIZONA, ARE CRYING FOR MORE HELP, WORKERS

1. Regular Missionaries take a special call,- a lot of training, a lot of money- & go for life
2. But special -short term missionaries- better? - CBFMS wants 100 in 1974!  Maybe might be YOU!
3. I could wish our Prime Young people- after college- give a year or two before marriage & career

B.- BUT OUR GREATEST NEED IS NOT FOR "OVERSEAS" MISSIONARIES, BUT RIGHT HERE IN PHOENIX- OUR JURISDICTION

1. If you want to cross Salt Water- it's fun; but does not make a missionary, or obedience to Christ
2. Slogans-"why should anyone hear the gospel twice until everyone has heard it once" nice- & stupid
3. But many of your own neighbors have never really heard "Gospel"!  We preach to the birds too!

C.- OUR CHURCH HAS JUST NOT BEEN DOING ITS JOB RIGHT HERE IN PHOENIX, IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS!

1. If you want the excitement of the "signs"- they are for the battlefield, not the church hall!
2. Like Jesus predicted- we are going out into the world- forced, but will we preach Gospel?
3. The real command- is to Preach the Gospel to everyone! Christ commands, I plead, WILL YOU DO IT With your own talents, personality, ideas, complete freedom- but the Lord wants the job done!

IF YOU WANT THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL PRESENT WITH YOU, YOU WILL HAVE TO CROW MORE THAN JUST GO!

1. Do you know Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior?  If not accept the Good News now!
2. Do you know Him as your Lord- have you really yielded yourself to Him to serve Him?  Do it Now
3. Then what prevents you from sharing the wonderful story of His great love to your contacts?

If you can't tell your neighbors- you sure couldn't be a missionary in far countries!