TO OPEN THEIR EYES!
Paul's commission to preach the Gospel was given to him by the Lord as he traveled on the road to Damascus , note:
Acts 26:17-18 "I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."
Paul stated that he had preached this plan of salvation to the ultimate purpose of God in Christ, note:
Ephesians 3:8-11 "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,"
The simplicity of the Gospel's message can be seen in Paul's commission, note:
• To Open Their Eyes.
As Paul describes the words of Jesus, we must first recognize a specific state everyone is in; and that in this state they are serving a master as a slave, note:
Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
1 John 3:8 "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."
• To Turn Them.
Acts 17:30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent"
The very understanding of repentance is found in a journey back to God. This journey begins when we come to ourselves (open our eyes) in regard to our present state. We throw off blaming others and accept that we are to blame for our condition (Luke 15:17-18).
With these first two points, let's look at a chart that we can use in teaching the entire process!
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It doesn't get any easier than this! The Gospel (good news!) is inclusive and universal to every person! This is why it is called the Great Commission! Its scope is world wide and for everyone.
The Lord gave it to His chosen to bring to the world, and its message exists continually to men in the world through God's word in the doctrine of Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Mark 16:15-16 "And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
Luke 24:47 "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem ."
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
2 John 9 "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son."
MAY GOD OPEN EVERY EYE!!!