Page 121 - Fundamentals Ebook

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.

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.