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This is very important in understanding the Great
Commission. I think for most believers they believe that the
Great Commission is recorded four times. It’s in Matthew 28,
Mark 16, Luke 24 and in Acts 1. Most commentators will tell
you that the gospel of John does not contain the Great
Commission. I think the exact opposite is true. John not only
gives the Great Commission but he gives it in its most
completed form.
Why do I need to study the Great Commission in John?
It’s because it answers the question, “How can I fulfill the Great
Commission?” Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts tell me the
Great Commission but they don’t tell me how to do it. It can
terribly frustrating if you don’t know how. “Abide in Jesus.”
How? “Worship the Lord.” How? “Go into all the world and
preach the gospel.” How? My heart wants to know how to do
it.
I suffered under this because I was taught that I was
responsible for every sinner that I ever met. I made a vow to
the Lord that I would not go to bed until I led somebody to
Jesus. I stayed up late very many nights looking for some
drunkard who would listen to me. I had a big box called my
“Hallelujah Box” and in it I put the names of those who
confessed to come to Christ. If I didn’t lead someone to Christ
I felt so guilty. I was taught that their blood was on my hands.
I was the biggest legalist that you could ever meet.
If someone was painting a house, I would climb up the
ladder to tell them about Jesus. I used to get on a bus and ride
all day long just to hand out tracks and talk to people. I wanted
to fulfill the Great Commission. When I first came to the Lord
I didn’t even know there were two testaments in my Bible. I
read, “Preach the gospel to every creature.” I went home and I
preached to my dog. He’s a creature. I told my little beagle
how Jesus loved Him. I was very confused about the Great
Commission. God has begun to open my eyes.
John 21 is the “how” of the great commission. It’s told
in terms of Peter’s restoration; coming back to the Lord. If you
have that chapter before you I want you to glance at verses 1-
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