My father served the Indian Army as a soldier in the rank of a JCO (Junior Commissioned Officer) and as I was meditating upon the Great Commission it were the stories that he shared with me during my childhood days that came to my mind. He was in charge of supplies and transportation when he was posted in Jhansi, Dehradun, Sikkim and many other places. The army would send him to lead convoys of armoured vehicles to the borders and almost all of those moments were challenging and nothing less than impossible – having to go through a long and tough mountainous terrain owing to the breaking down of the only hanging bridge across a river near Sikkim and much more. He was not to come back without fulfilling his duty, as he was commissioned to do so!
Challenging though they were he was commissioned for a cause and that kept him going even though it wasn’t easy!
We, who are called to be an army of corporate missionaries, too are commissioned by the King of Kings to take the gospel to our colleagues at the workplace.
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15 (ESV)
The message “You are the dynamite” has already laid forth the purpose and preeminence for God commissioning you and me at a time such as this. But still you might have several questions popping up in your head and fears lurking at your heart and you might say, “I am not qualified enough, intellectual enough, strong enough, disciplined enough or equipped enough to carry out this commission.”
But when we look at the context of the commission in the Bible and the people whom God commissioned, we would be convinced that we are the ones whom He has commissioned.
1. Doubts Dispelled and the Doubters Directed
Jesus was not commissioning great men or women of faith and clarity. But if we look at the one verse before the commission we find,
“And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” Matthew 28:17 (ESV)
Why did they doubt? They got the reports of Jesus’s bodily resurrection from women, whose reports in the Jewish community those times were not considered as credible sources. And there were also rumours that were being spread by the soldiers that the body of Jesus was stolen by His disciples. (Matthew 28:15)
They were doubting the reports and were troubled at the rumours because they weren’t strong in the Scriptures. They didn’t understand much of the Scriptures they read and they still had lots of doubts!
Luke says a little more about these disciples who were doubting.
“That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.” Luke 24:13-17 (ESV)
The New King James Version says that “they conversed and reasoned” and were sad. The doubts in their minds had made them sad too! But it is these doubters whom Jesus commissioned to be His witnesses-
“You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:48 (ESV)
But He doesn’t commission us empty handed or just leave us with our doubts. Even as we obey the commission He gives us the PROMISE and SUPPLIES needed for fulfilling the commission!
“You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:48-49 (ESV) And even as the promise of the Holy Spirit is fulfilled in our lives, the Spirit’s indwelling in us enables us to be His witnesses.
“They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”” Luke 24:32 (ESV) “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” Luke 24:45 (ESV) And as we take heed to the commission and venture forth in fulfilling it, He opens our mind to understand the Scriptures.
The Promise of Power through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the Supply of Scriptures as Jesus opens our understanding is sufficient enough to cast off all our doubts!
2. Fears flung and the fearful furthered
Does fear and joy go along? No. But, Yes! The women were filled with great joy because they received the news that Jesus is resurrected, but at the same time they were fearful too.
We are filled with joy when we worship the Lord and delight in His presence, but when it comes to the point of sharing the gospel at our workplace, we are fearful. What is the reason for the fear?
The testimony of women was not valid in Jewish culture and so they were fearful that they may not be heard and believed. People at our workplaces might have several opinion about us and that might stop us from relating with them and eventually stops us from sharing the gospel with them. Something that which has happened in the past might have created prejudices in the minds of our colleagues. We might be even despised by our colleagues and the boss. There is fear within us because of the prejudices and despises and opinion of others regarding us.
When the women too were troubled with the same fear Jesus met them,
“And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” And they came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell….” (Matthew 28:9, 10)
Jesus says three things to them: “Rejoice” – “Do not be afraid” – “Go and tell”
When Jesus said “Rejoice” He was not only asking them to feel the joy but also to express that great joy. But we have misunderstood this Rejoice and have limited it to only ourselves!
Which is the book that comes to our mind when we think of the word “Rejoice” - the book which has atleast 14 references to the same word? Want a clue? It was written by an Apostle whose name starts with the letter ‘P’.
Yes, Paul and the book is his epistle to the Philippians.
What is the first reference that comes to our mind in the Epistle to the Philippians when we think of the word “Rejoice”?
Yes, it is Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice!”
But when we look at the very first reference in this epistle we understand the context in which Paul is saying “Rejoice”.
“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18 (ESV)
It is only in proclaiming Christ that we truly rejoice and our joy becomes permanent and purposeful!
Secondly, how often we quote “Do not be afraid” so that we might feel safe and secure. But Jesus says not to fear but to go and share the gospel. “…Do not be afraid. Go and tell…”
As soon as the women saw Jesus they came and held His feet. They wanted to feel His presence. Feeling of His presence and receiving the promise of His presence is given so that we might proclaim His Personhood!
3. Apprehensions abstracted and the scared sent
The disciples whom Jesus commissioned were fearing the majority, the Jews. In the same way, we might be fearful of the majority at our workplaces. We might be the only the believer at our office and we might be reluctant to share the gospel feeling insignificant or powerless, seeing the majority.
This fear of the majority not only makes us feel powerless, but also takes away the peace from within us – the majority is a disturbing factor in our heart and mind.
But Jesus who commissioned the disciples to be His witnesses even to the intimidating majority, gave them a promise – the promise of peace, “Peace be with you”.
And very often when we are disturbed we want this Peace and seek to keep this feeling within us. But Jesus had already established the meaning and context of “Peace” in His sermon on the mount when He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 (ESV) ‘Peace’ is not a passive word but a proactive one. We are not called to be ‘peacefeelers’ or ‘peacekeepers’ but ‘peacemakers’.
“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV)
We ‘feel’ peace because of Christ’s death on the cross and we are called to ‘proclaim’ the same peace by sharing this Good News that all who are in enmity with God may be reconciled to Him by coming to the cross and receiving the forgiveness that Jesus offers.
The promise of peace is given for us to not just to feel peaceful, but to proclaim that peace that comes through the cross.
4. Timidity trampled and the timid tasked
“And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”” Mark 16:3 (ESV)
They were the ones who were ‘timid’ and alarmed at the immensity of the task and were not ‘self-starters’; they needed someone to lead the way. Seeing the commission, the task at hand we might think it is huge and we cannot do it by ourselves. Seeing the challenges at our workplaces – the different sorts of people, we might think that “I cannot share the gospel to him” and “It is difficult for me to relate to her” or “He is a difficult and hard person, how can I talk about Jesus to him?”
But even as we receive the commission and resolve to obey, there is a promise from God to remove all barriers.
The angels sent by God to roll away the stone not only say “Do not be alarmed….” but also commission them saying, “…. go and tell….” (Mark 16:7). We don’t need to wait for God to commission us directly by speaking to us audibly, He sends His messengers to commission us too!
5. Denying discontinued and the denier made the defender
Read Matthew 26: 69-75 and read I do not know the Man to get the whole perspective of this part of the message.
Peter was a person who was denying his allegiance with Jesus and the Christian faith when he faced a situation when his association and proclamation might cause him trouble. “But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”” Matthew 26:70 (ESV)
It is to say “I am not a Christian”. Not willing to divulge to others that you are a Christian – at the workplace.
He was also denying the Person of Jesus Himself. “And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”” Matthew 26:72 (ESV)
Here denying knowledge is denying the person of Jesus Christ and the exclusivity of the gospel.
Thirdly, he was also denying the influence of Christ in his life. “After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed.” Matthew 26:73-74 (ESV)
When I am appreciated for my good moral behaviour or gifting or good work or etiquette I may not acknowledge Christ and Christian influence. I may not use it as an opportunity to share Christ and His work in my life.
But this same Peter after receiving the Promise of Power and being empowered by the Holy Spirit,
“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.” Acts 2:14 (ESV)
…. became a fearless proclaimer of the Good News.
The one who denied Christ became the foremost defender and also prescribes the same to all Christians:
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..” 1 Peter 3:14-15 (ESV)
(Read P.R.O.F.I.T - A mantra for workplace evangelism which is an exposition on this verse which lays forth a methodology for workplace evangelism)
How did this change happen in Peter? The prescription to defend from a denier? Peter’s conviction and persuasion to be prepared to “give an answer to everyone” originates from the question that Jesus asked Peter.
In John 21:15-17 three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love Me?” If we love Jesus we will not deny Him!
This “love” again is not meant to be a feeling for us to just have and keep it for ourselves. God defined the meaning of ‘love’ as: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV)
When Jesus was asking Peter whether he loved Him, He was making Peter understand the imperative – to proclaim that ‘love’, because Peter was answering the One who was the Personification of Love manifested in flesh, who being part of the Trinity could have remained satisfied with the love He enjoyed from the Father and that each Person of the Trinity shared with each other; but was sent to show that love in action, by coming down, living among and dying for those who did not deserve it!
Consecrated and Commissioned
“whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11 (ESV)
…. And we with all our weaknesses and failures are called to preach the Gospel by “the strength that God supplies”.
But the commission cannot be and is not forced upon anyone. Even as we come closer to God and understand Him and see Him as He is as was with Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-3), we see the weaknesses, the filth within us (Isaiah 6:5). Many a times we stop with this experience alone – the experience of being cleansed, being touched by God (Isaiah 6:6,7). But a person who has “seen the King” and whose “iniquity is taken away and sin purged”, will hear God’s voice too:
“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”” Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)
Shall we commit ourselves to this commission and say:
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
And even as we draw near to Christ who has commissioned us, may the Lord remove all weaknesses and inabilities from us and make us “steadfast”!
And the commission is the same, “Go and tell” (Isaiah 6:9)
The popular song goes this way,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.
I modified it to fit into the context of workplace evangelism:
Go tell it at the fountain,
Over the cabin and everywhere,
Go tell it at the fountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.
So the next time when you meet your colleague at the fountain side or at the cafeteria or at the cabin, start the process of engaging with him with the Gospel, because “there is no one else” but you who is commissioned!
You may would also like to read/see:
1. A mantra for workplace evangelism
2. You are the dynamite_Reasons for workplace evangelism
This message was shared at the PROFIT conference at Bangalore on the 6th Nov 2011. Shortly the video will also be made available to view/download. If you are a Christian professional, then PROFIT is for you. To know more about PROFIT visit www.profitconnect.net or write to profit@gemsbihar.org PROFIT or PROfessionals Fellowship of International Talents is a mission initiative of GEMS - Gospel Echoing Missionary Society, for professionals. PROFIT is a network of Christians who intentionally and actively use their professional identity to do-the-ACT of passing THE TRUTH in the workplace.
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