THE LAST COMMISSION OF CHRIST IS THE FIRST WORK OF THE CHURCH
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1,2 ESV).
Because God has made us partners with Him in winning souls to His kingdom, we bear a sacred responsibility in this special trust granted to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord. At Atlanta Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist Church, while we share the gospel in many facets of ministry, we esteem our call to evangelism and embrace our role in the “last commission of Christ.” As we shine the light of truth in a world darkened by sin, we vow never to lose sight of the fact that our ability to lead others to Christ is a gift of the Spirit, which comes with power on its side.
Before His ascension back to the heavenly sanctuary, Christ empowered disciples of every generation when He said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28: 18-20 (KJV)). The promise made in this text assures us of success as we labor in the finishing work that will usher in the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Today, with the addition of technology, more than any age in history, we now see the gospel of Jesus Christ spreading rapidly throughout the world. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). To be counted among the faithful who honor the last commission of Christ, evangelism will always have a special place in the ministries at Atlanta Boulevard. From January 1-December 31 of every calendar year, no other work should take precedence over the soul-winning assignment given to us by God. Along with our pastor and ministry leaders, the dedicated members of Atlanta Boulevard present our selves in the sacrifice-of-service as we unite in the greatest work on earth.
Daryl S. Anderson Sr.
Daryl S. Anderson Sr.,
Pastor
