Have you ever heard anyone say, there's nothing special I can do; I just don't have any purpose in life? Or, how about this, I just want to die, there's nothing left in life for me to live for? If you are a Christ Follower than you have a lot to live for. We all want to know what the Lord's will is for our life...but sometimes, we just don't understand it. That's when we have to take risks! It may be asking someone for forgiveness. It may mean going to a different restaurant. You never know what open door God has waiting for you in those different circumstances unless you take that risk.

Have you ever heard anyone say, there's nothing special I can do; I just don't have any purpose in life? Or, how about this, I just want to die, there's nothing left in life for me to live for? If you are a Christ Follower than you have a lot to live for. We all want to know what the Lord's will is for our life...but sometimes, we just don't understand it. That's when we have to take risks! It may be asking someone for forgiveness. It may mean going to a different restaurant. You never know what open door God has waiting for you in those different circumstances unless you take that risk.

Sometimes it takes an act of faith to step out and do what you know you ought. There are millions of people that lack Christ and need him in their lives and don't even know it. That is why we are called to preach his word. Because “how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” If we do not go, they do not hear, and cannot be saved. God can do all things, but he won't force us to choose him and he won't force us to do what's right. We have to make that choice. He has chosen to use us to take his work to all nations, and if we don't go then they won't hear.

One day there will be a spiritual payday. Every person will receive his earnings. Scripture is clear that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The payment for that sin will be death. Not just a physical death, we will all experience that. Scripture speaks of death as an eternal separation from God. Sinners will receive the wages they deserve. In contrast to what we deserve, God offers a gift to us; a free gift. This gift cannot be earned. It has been paid for by Jesus and his work on the cross. It cost him everything. So, will you hold out your hands and receive this gift?

Do you ever feel as though you don't have the skill or determination to be a witness for Christ? Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world, telling everyone that he had paid the penalty for sin and that those who believe in him can be forgiven and live eternally with God. As a Christ-follower you have been given that same command. We are called to follow Jesus, yes. But we are also called to be “fishers of men”, like Jesus. There is some risk to this calling. But the reward of eternal life for you and those you share Jesus with will be worth that risk.

God calls us to share His good news to “Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the Earth.” Does that mean I must go to those places? NO! We are to be witnesses to those who live next door, down the street, or across town. Our lives and our words should be a testimony to those with whom we come in contact, from family members and business associates to the clerk at the grocery store. People all around us need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, and we must open our eyes and our hearts to see where God is working. Wherever we are-that is Jerusalem.

A commission is a duty or task that is committed to someone to perform. It is to send someone out on a special mission. The Great Commission is the Christ follower's mission. Though there are many activities and events for the church to get involved in, there is none greater than for us to tell our friends and neighbors God's good news. These are our marching orders. If we are Spririt-led and Spirit-abiding, we must be willing to do our part for the cause of Christ. This fruitful work comes from rolling up our sleeves and getting our hands dirty in the trenches, not just sitting in the pews.

Before Jesus left this earth, He gave you the same task that was given to the Angels who announced His birth-”Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all.” Each of us have this call to announce His birth, death and resurrection wherever we go. Our job as Christ followers is to point people to the place where they can be saved. Without Him coming into this world, living a sinless life and dying on a cross to pay for our sins, there would be no salvation. Pastor Mark gives us the same challenge today-Go and share the good news to everyone.

The Holy Spirit comes in and fills our lives and we often see the fruit of its filling us. But as we walk through this life, we may have leaks. You may not look like you are getting empty, but if you don't have that Spirit working in you just as much now as you did when you first were “filled” up, you need to get back under the fountain. And then whatever He moves us to do, we should yield to it. Let Him have his way. What He is doing is letting everyone know that it is the genuine power of God on you. Release yourself to the Holy Spirit and you will be touched.

We hear a lot of talk about the Holy Spirit, but do we know what it really means to be filled with the Holy Spirit? The key comparison is to be drunk with wine. There is only one way to get drunk. You get drunk by being “filled” with alcohol until the amount that you consume has you under its influence. This is not a casual drink . This is in excess to where you become drunk. Paul says we should have the same insatiable appetite for the guidance and fellowship of the Holy Spirit that a person does that chooses to get drunk on wine. We are to continue to “drink in” the Holy Spirit.