Redeeming the Time: Making the Most of Our Time by Carrying Out the Great Commission

In a world filled with chaos, evil, and confusion, Christians are called to make the most of their time by fulfilling the Great Commission. This isn't just a suggestion—it's an urgent mandate for believers living in increasingly dark days.

Why We Must Redeem the Time

We Live in Evil Days

The evidence is all around us. From ongoing conflicts in the Middle East to the persecution of Christians worldwide—with over 7,500 Christians martyred in Nigeria alone—we're witnessing unprecedented evil. Millions of Christians have lost their lives just in this 21st century, yet these stories rarely make headlines.

Only Jesus Is the Answer

In a world searching for fulfillment through drugs, alcohol, relationships, and material success, only Jesus Christ can truly satisfy the human heart. Like Solomon, who tried everything the world had to offer, we eventually discover that only God can fill the void He created within us.

Sin may provide temporary pleasure, but it's only for a season. Eventually, everything worldly leads to emptiness and despair. This is why we must urgently share the gospel while there's still time.

Understanding the Great Commission

Jesus' Final Words Carry Ultimate Authority

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus declares that "all authority has been given to me in heaven and earth." These weren't casual suggestions—they were the final instructions from the risen Lord who holds complete authority over the universe.

Just as Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, Jesus, as the greater Moses, gives His followers the Great Commission from a mountain. This echoes God's authority and establishes the divine mandate for evangelism.

The Commission Is for Everyone

The Great Commission isn't limited to pastors, missionaries, or church leaders. It's for every believer. Jesus commanded His followers to:

• Go into all the world
• Make disciples of all nations
• Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• Teach them to observe all His commandments

What Is the Gospel We Must Share?

The Gospel Is Not About You

Many modern churches have distorted the gospel message. The gospel is not:

• God has a wonderful plan for your life
• God wants to fulfill all your dreams
• God loves you just as you are (without change)
• A promise of your best life now

The Gospel Is About Jesus

The true gospel centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ:

His Birth: Born of a virgin according to Scripture, fulfilling God's promise in Genesis 3:15

His Sinless Life: Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life—something no human has ever accomplished

His Death: He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins that we deserved to pay

His Resurrection: He rose from the dead, proving His claims and defeating death

His Ascension: He ascended to heaven where He intercedes for believers at the right hand of the Father

Why We Need the Gospel

We've All Broken God's Law

The Ten Commandments reveal our sinfulness. We've all:

• Put other gods before Him (including ourselves)
• Failed to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind
• Failed to love our neighbors as ourselves

Even if we think we're "good people," God's standard is perfection. Looking at a woman with lust equals adultery in the heart. Hating someone equals murder in the heart. Any lie makes us guilty of bearing false witness.

God's Holiness Demands Justice

God's perfect holiness cannot tolerate even one sin. His love for us required that the right price be paid—and only Jesus, being perfectly holy and righteous, could pay that price by dying in our place.

How to Share the Gospel

Simple Acts of Love

Sharing the gospel doesn't always require lengthy theological discussions. Sometimes it's as simple as:

• Inviting someone to church
• Offering to pray for someone
• Showing genuine care and love
• Being faithful in church attendance so visitors see a vibrant community

This Generation Wants Truth

Today's generation isn't looking for entertainment or flashy presentations. They want authentic truth delivered with love. They're hungry for genuine relationships and honest conversations about faith.

The Promise of His Presence

Jesus doesn't ask us to fulfill the Great Commission in our own strength. He promises, "I will be with you always, even until the end of the age." God opens doors, creates opportunities, and works through our simple obedience.

Life Application

This week, commit to redeeming your time by taking one concrete step toward fulfilling the Great Commission. Whether it's inviting a friend to church, offering to pray for a coworker, or simply being more faithful in your own church attendance, make the most of the time God has given you.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Who in my life needs to hear about Jesus?
• What opportunities has God already placed before me that I've been ignoring?
• How can I show genuine love to someone this week as a way of sharing Christ?
• Am I being faithful in the small things, like regular church attendance, that create opportunities for others to encounter God?

Remember, you may never "win" someone to Christ—that's God's work—but you can be faithful to share His love and truth. In these evil days, there's no time to waste. The world desperately needs the hope that only Jesus can provide.