Text: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16. One of the great themes of the Bible is evangelism and missions. Even in the Old Testament, the Jews were supposed tell others about the One True God. We see this theme elaborated more in the New Testament.

All throughout the Old Testament, a Redeemer was promised. There are prophecies starting in Genesis 3:15 through Malachi about the promised Messiah.

The Apostle Paul told us in Galatians 4:4, that God sent forth His Son. Jesus was born, lived and died for our sins and was resurrected according to the Scriptures (I Cor. 15:3-4). After the resurrection He gave the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16), first of all to the Eleven Disciples and then to us today.

In Acts 1:8-9 we read of His ascension into Heaven after He gave them the commission to start where they were with the preaching of the Gospel and then spread out to other lands. This should be our pattern for missions. Some are called to be foreign missionaries, while some are called to be missionaries here in the USA, and ALL of us are called to be missionaries in our “world,” our circle of influence.