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I wanted to deal with this at the end because I think it’s a
very vital truth on the heart of Jesus. I think that almost all
Christians are familiar with the expression “The Great
Commission”. I misunderstood it for many years. I knew it had
two parts; go preach the gospel to the world and then train them
to be disciples.

The Spirit of God has been very patient with Ed Miller.
I thought He sent me into the world to witness for Christ. He
taught me that He put me in Christ to witness to the world.
That’s not the same thing. I’m not in the world to testify for
Christ. I’m in Christ so that He can manifest Himself.

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 complete
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.