THE GREAT COMMISSION
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where
Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him;
but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
New International Version (NIV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
EVERYONE MATTERS TO GOD!
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep
and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country
and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it,
he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.
Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,
‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing
in heaven over one sinner who repents than over
ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one.
Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house
and search carefully until she finds it?
And when she finds it, she calls her friends
and neighbors together and says,
‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin,’
In the same way, I tell you, there is a rejoicing in the presence
of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:8-10 (NIV)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.
When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy
went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like
a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away
and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46 (NIV)
EVERYONE MATTERS TO GOD
Friends
Relatives
Acquaintances
Neighbors