Skip to main content
#
RCCG Miracle Land Dundalk
Thursday, May 31 2018

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION

In last week’s study, we considered the topic “The Purpose of Prosperity” and dealt extensively with one aspect of the purpose of prosperity - God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others! In today’s study, we shall be looking at the second aspect – Fulfilling the Great Commission.

As Christians, we can expect to be blessed and to prosper if we seek prosperity as a means to help accomplish God's will and purpose. Jesus said this about Himself,

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

Jesus has commissioned all believers to carry out the same mission. In Mark 16:15, He said:

". . . Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

That seems clear enough—you go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature! With more than six billion people in the world today, we have a mighty big job left to do. We certainly need to walk in prosperity in order to have the funds to get it done. Jesus also pointed out that we need the power of the Holy Ghost in our lives to carry out His Great Commission. Acts 1:8says,

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

As the disciples were commanded by Jesus Christ, so have we

HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GO ABOUT FULFILLING THE GREAT COMMISSION?

First, we should start in OUR JERUSALEM, or our hometown. Jerusalem was home to most of the one hundred twenty who gathered in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost. So, they started from there. Secondly, we are to be witnesses in OUR REGION, our Judaea, and in the region next to us, or our Samaria. Finally, we are to take the Gospel to THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH. The whole world!

FUNDS AND RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR THE GOSPEL

To fulfilment of the Great Commission is hinged on the availability of funds and resources. You will recall that initially when He sent them out in Luke 10:4 (AMP), He said:

“Do not carry a money belt, a provision bag, or [extra] sandals; and do not greet anyone along the way [who would delay you].

Note: A formal greeting back then was a lengthy ritual that sometimes included a meal

Fast forward a few chapters, in Luke 22:35-36, Christ Himself asked His disciples to switch onto a different mode. One which implied that they needed funds and resources.

“35 And He said to them, “When I sent you out without a money belt and [provision] bag and [extra] sandals, did you lack anything?” They answered, “Nothing.” 36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money belt is to take it along, and also his [provision] bag, and he who has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.” AMP

One thing is obvious: Poverty-stricken people are limited in their ability to fulfil the Great Commission. Without funds, they have difficulty going into all the world and neither can they help send someone else.

GOD’S WORK IS EASIER DONE FROM THE POSITION OF PROSPERITY

Luke 8:1-3 gives us a clear picture of Jesus’s ministry and that the work of God cannot be done from a position of lack but from that of prosperity.

“Soon afterward, Jesus began going around from one city and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve [disciples] were with Him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary, called Magdalene [from the city of Magdala in Galilee], from whom seven demons had come out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means [as was the custom for a rabbi’s disciples]. AMP

So, if God requires every believer to help carry out this mission, then it must be His plan and His will for His people to prosper. God's work needs to be financed without a doubt. One of the ways His work is meant to be financed is by tithes as we see in Malachi 3:10. It says:

Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, said the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

The giving of God's people took care of God's house and those who worked there and provided the funds to carry out His work on earth.

THE POOR ARE NOT LEFT OUT AND SHOULD GIVE TO THE WORK TOO

It is obviously easier to give to the work of God out of abundance but the poor are not left out and should give to the work too. As a matter of fact, everyone should see giving in the Kingdom of God as a privilege. 2 Corinth.8:1-4 tells us of the Macedonian church who gave from their meagre means.

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. (NIV)

CONCLUSION

The work of the Gospel requires funds and resources. The “work” is not restricted to preaching the Good News only; but also, the meeting of the needs (emotional, financial, physical and spiritual) of others.

Jesus’s ministry depended on the support and generosity of believers as we see in Luke 8:1-3, to the extent that the ministry had a treasurer (John 12:6). Jesus Himself admonished the disciples in Luke 22:35-36 to take up their purses, bags and even a sword! Even if it meant selling possessions to buy one. But as we see from the example of the Macedonian church; being poor is not an excuse not to give to the work of God. The widow who gave her last mite (Mk.12:43,44)

Parts of this study was culled from “The Midas Touch” by Kenneth E Hagin

Post comment
Name
Email Address

Message
(max 750 characters)
Note: All comments are subject to approval. Your comment will not appear until it has been approved.

OUR SERVICES

Sunday Worship
First Service @11AM

Wednesdays
Online Bible Study @7PM

Saturdays
Online Prayers @9PM

OUR LOCATION

The Redeemed Christian Church Of God
Miracle Land Parish Castletown Road, Castletown,
Dundalk, County Louth,
Ireland

CONTACT US

Telephone: +353 (0)429328484
Mobile: +353 (0)879806684

our twitterour facebook page instagram

All rights reserved. ©2024 RCCG Miracle Land.

Powered by Lacepoint

We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.