Mark 2:1-12

Do you remember the last words you said to someone you loved who isn’t with us anymore? Or do you remember the last words they said to you? If you knew you were about to see someone you loved dearly for the last time, do you think you would choose your words carefully?

Not all last words are that way, like the famous last words of the redneck: “Hey! Watch this!” Unlike that, here are some famous last words of Christian pastors throughout history, last words that were purposeful and meaningful:

John Calvin’s last words were, “I am abundantly satisfied, since it is from thy hand.” John Knox said, “Live in Christ, live in Christ, and the flesh need not fear death.” John Wesley proclaimed on his deathbed, “The best of all is, God is with us. Farewell! Farewell!” Preacher Henry Ward Beecher entered eternity with the words, “Now comes the mystery!”[1]

On his deathbed, British preacher Charles Simeon smiled brightly and asked the people gathered in his room, “What do you think especially gives me comfort at this time?” When they all remained silent, he exclaimed, “The creation! I ask myself, ‘Did Jehovah create the world or did I?’ He did! Now if He made the world and all the rolling spheres of the universe, He certainly can take care of me. Into Jesus’ hands I can safely commit my spirit!”[2]

I’m certain you would choose your words carefully if you could. I’m certain this is what Jesus did, too, before he ascended into heaven, with his loved one all gathered around.

We are called by Jesus, as Christians, to make disciples of all nations. We see the carefully chosen last words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20. We see it stated a little differently in Acts 1:8.

We are to make disciples around the world and where we are.

Why? Because the world needs Jesus. And the people around you need Jesus. Turn to your neighbor right now and say, “You need Jesus.” Turn to your other neighbor and say, “You need Jesus.” Now, I do this with our students often, so humor me. Put your chin to your chest and whisper, “You need Jesus.” You just spoke truth! We all need Jesus! That means we all need to be disciples and we all need to make disciples. We are going to have a practical lesson today…some equipping. Are you prepared to make disciples? If all the Christians in the world were like you, would any disciples of Jesus be made? Would anyone hear the gospel?

How long do you think it would take to lead the whole world to Christ? America? Tullahoma? Our schools?

Statistics (32% of the world claims to be Christian; 68% non-Christian)

U.S. population: 332 millionWorld population: 7.75 billionEach day (in the world)385,000 babies are born261,800 of those will end up non-Christian150,000 people die102,000 die without knowing ChristEach hour (in the world)7,425 people die5,049 die and go to hellIf you stood all the lost people of the world shoulder to shoulder, they would circle the globe 30 times.If just Southern Baptists could see 500,000 conversions a year and freeze the number of people who were born and died . . .It would take 664 years to reach America15,500 years to reach the worldIf one person led one person to Christ the first year, discipled him, and then both led one person to Christ the next year, then continued the process  . . .We would reach our schools in 10 years (1,024 converts)We would reach Tullahoma in 15 years (32,768 converts)We would reach America in 29 years (536,870,912 converts)We would reach the World in 33 years (8.5 billion converts)

Do you realize the great commission was given to YOU? The great commission isn’t about just bringing someone to church for a pastor to share Christ with someone. It’s about YOU sharing Christ with someone. It’s about YOU leading them to make a decision about Christ. It’s about YOU teaching them how to follow Jesus. I am convinced that a sign of a healthy church is when the baptistry waters are stirred with people the pastor has no clue who they are, because s