Theme: Back to Biblical Basics

Matthew 28:16-20

“16. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted. 18. Then Jesus came to them and said, `All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19. 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, 20. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”

November 22 of 1963, Dallas, America: A man is shot, assassinated. Within two hours the whole world knew the details: J.F. Kennedy is dead!

However, 2000 years after the death of Jesus Christ, only about half of the world knows that He has died for our sins. This statement shook the delegates of the 12^th KwaSizabantu Ministers’ Conference.

Rev Stegen went on to say that the church, preachers and Christians in general should be ashamed and embarrassed by the fact that only half the world knows about the Lord Jesus.

He asked the delegates:

“Does the Word of God work in you, does it stir up a fire in you? Woe to you if the Word of God is not written all over your life for all to see." The Word of God is like a consuming fire. It cleanses, moves, consumes and drives you. Is the fire for preaching the Word of our Lord Jesus burning in us preachers? Sometimes the world has greater fires burning in them than the fire burning in us.

You preach, testify, teach, explain the Gospel! - but in your ministry, as it is going now, when will it reach the ends of the earth?

Everybody’s ministry combined; how long will it take to reach the ends of the earth, those millions of people? Maybe never! Maybe we are going backwards! Maybe there are more people born into this world than those that are reborn.

16. Eleven of the disciples were there where the Lord told them to be. There is a place where God wants us to be. Are you there? Will He find you there when He comes? You can’t afford to be anywhere else but there - spiritually and physically.

18. Jesus said that all power has been given to Him. That is the basis for the Great Commission. His power is sufficient. Don’t doubt. Go out and teach them to keep Christ’s commands.

Rev Stegen concluded with the story of Rev. Dif of Scotland, a missionary to India:

After preaching in Scotland he made an altar call for those who would live to dedicate body and soul to Christ. Seeing nobody coming forward, Rev Dif had a heart attack in the pulpit. Later, after being assisted by a medical doctor and the Moderator of the church, back in the pulpit, he asked to be helped to go back to India and to be put next to the Ganges river, where, lying in the heat of the day, he may call people to faith in God.

Many then came forward and some of those became great men in the mission fields of the world.

In conclusion Rev Stegen challenged the delegates with the words:

“What does the Lord Jesus mean to you?”

Last edited on: Tuesday April 03, 2007 E-mail us at: mail@ksb.org.za Return to KSB Home page