Good morning! I’m glad to welcome you to worship today at Hillcrest Baptist Church.

The Great Commission was always a priority for our Lord Jesus. He gave it 5 times (see Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24: 47-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8). It was, in essence, the very reason for His coming. Even at his birth the angels declared that this was “good news of great joy that will be for all people.” (Luke 2:10). Our Lord offers salvation to all mankind. And His plan is that all be given an opportunity to hear the good news. It was His full intention that the gospel be carried to everyone, and that all nations be invited into His family.

Now, since the church came into being in Acts 1, His instructions were to advance His kingdom from the original church in Jerusalem to our present day. Unfortunately, the church has not been obedient throughout history and there are still churches who do not obey. 

There are three basic principles of missions and evangelism.

Total Preparation—God said, “Tarry (wait) until….” I think we have waited long enough. We have fulfilled that requirement.

Total Penetration—We are to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone.”

Total Participation—“Go, therefore…” includes every child of God—you and me.

Join me today as we discuss the proposition, “Why every should church be a missionary church.”