IN PLACE Text: Mt.28.18-20
    In the very beginning of Jesus' ministry, He let His disciples know that the heavens were open and there were no clouds between God and His people. The ministry to bring God's kingdom on earth through the Son of man, was now in operation (Jn.1.51).
    He let them know that harvest time was not a future event as most people conceived. He told them to lift up their eyes and look on the fields, that now, all around them, there was a harvest to be reaped, and there was great rejoicing in the reaping of that harvest. He let them know that He had sent them to reap the harvest (Jn.4.34-38).
    He let them know that Satan was defeated and the work for all people's redemption is completed, when He is lifted up. And now, He has been lifted up on the cross, and into heaven and seated, and He is now interceding and working to draw all people unto Himself, just like He said He would (Jn.12.31,32).
    He let them know that they had the power of attorney through His name so that they have the same power on earth as He had. Now, believers in Jesus can do the same works that He did, and even greater works, because now, He has gone back to the Father and His Spirit is poured out on all flesh, all over the world. Now, believers can minister the new birth through the preaching of the gospel  (Jn.14.12-14).
    He let them know that the Holy Spirit is the one who is working with them, convincing people of the truth and guiding the believers into all truth. He is always at work night and day to bring people to the truth of Jesus Christ risen from the dead and reigning in all power today (Jn.16.7-15).
    Paul picks the theme up and declares that because everything is in place, all a person has to do is hear the message, believe it in their heart (repent and accept the message), and confess Jesus as Lord with their mouth, and they are saved. But he brings out, How can they believe unless they hear, and how can they hear unless a preacher is sent to them. Somebody has to go and speak. And before Jesus left the earth, He sent every person of the church into all the world (Rom.10.1-17).
    Paul amplifies the theme by explaining that every person is given grace, is given the life, purpose, nature, and ability of God, to enable us to walk in this vocation to which God has called us, of getting the gospel to the ends of the earth. He explains that God is in all of us, but, He has set certain ones in offices of ministry to assist the saints in carrying out this great commission (Eph.4.1-16).
    The message is this: Everything is in place for every person to go and preach the gospel to every creature on the earth. This is God's calling and plan for the life of every believer. This is the vocation of every believer.
    Many say, "Well, I'm just not called to do that. I have a ministry of helps in the local church, etc., etc." That's good. You might very well have that ministry.
    But, can I help you to see something? I just want you to see that we have some concepts about the call of God that are not in line with the Word. I want you to see that God has put everything in place for you to be free to share the good news of Jesus freely.
    Have you ever gone on a vacation, maybe for say a week? Did God call you to go on that vacation? No, you just wanted to do it, and you did it, didn't you. And, that is good. You, and maybe some others were blessed by it, weren't you.
    Did you know that God would not be mad at you if you just decided to go on a week's mission trip somewhere, to go out there and just be a blessing to some people? In fact, God has put everything in place for you to do that and be eternally fruitful, laying up treasures in heaven. And you know, you might tap in on a joy and blessing in your personal life, in seeing others blessed by your presence and ministry, that you didn't even know you were missing. You might want to do this more often. God wouldn't mind. In fact, He's put everything in place so you can do this as much as you desire.
    Have you ever gone on a shopping trip, looking all day long for the best bargains you can find? Did God call you to go on that shopping trip? No, you just wanted to go and be a blessing to your family or friends. That's good. Blessings come from that to others.
    Or, what about a hunting or fishing trip. A hunting or fishing trip is good. It can provide good food and fellowship and a good recreational activity. The same thing applies to this. God has called you enjoy life, "life more abundantly". If you decide to go out and hunt for souls, you might find a "rush" and a "thrill" that you didn't know you were missing. Plus, you might save a soul from eternal hell.
    Did you know that God would not be mad at you if you just decided to go out and look for some lost souls, to be a blessing in introducing them to Jesus? In fact, God has put everything in place just so you can do this as much and for as long as you so desire. And you know, you might be so blessed in doing this, and experience such joy that you didn't even know you were missing, that you will want to do it more often. God wouldn't mind it at all.
    The point is this: We are now free to operate in the all-inclusive call of God, to go out and do spiritual things in His kingdom, just like we are free to do natural things in His kingdom. God is not restricting us from doing His work. He has put everything in place so we are free to go do His work any time and any place.
    As we go about seeking first His kingdom, then He will give provisions to accomplish that work, and, He will give us specific directions as He sees that we are faithful and able to carry the responsibility that is required for any given office or position.
    Not everybody is called to be a apostle, prophet, pastor, evangelist, or teacher.
Everybody is called to be a witness and a minister of Jesus Christ to the whole world, to take the gospel to the whole world. This is the commission Jesus gave to the Church. The idea of not carrying out this world-wide commission is merely a religious concept that is usually based on fear.
    The fact is that we, as people of God, are free to share Jesus with anybody, anywhere, anytime, just like we would share about a good place to take a vacation, or a good place to shop, or a good place to hunt. We are also free in this, that we don't have to convince people or change people. We are free to just accept them and love them, and enjoy sharing Jesus with them, knowing that God is always there working and operating to bring about the desired results. We do need to be sensitive to learn how to co-operate with God in order to reap the harvest. God Himself teaches us this as we go out to do the work.
    If God does not want you to go a certain place at a certain time, He will let you know, as He did with Paul on one occasion (Ac.16.6). The rest of the time it was Paul's desires to go places as he walked with the Lord. He had been preaching and evangelizing for about 13 years when the Holy Spirit worked through the Church and sent him out on a specific mission (Ac.13.1-4).
    Most Christians do not know what blessing they are missing, by not stepping out to do the work of God. There are many people who can be blessed by your presence and ministry. I want to encourage you to realize that God has everything in place for you to step out of your comfort zone and go be a blessing to others like never before. You will never be the same, nor will others ever be the same, once you step out on what's already IN PLACE.
    Now, it's up to you. Back to web index