A Christmas MandateA Christmas MandateLuke 24:44-53Luke 24:44-53

Best Christmas Gifts

A Gift for Theophilus1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Luke 24:4444 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Luke 24:45-4745 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Take the Gospel to the Nations

1. Take the Gospel to the nations.2. Start where you are.

Start where you are.“I always miss the life in US. I always miss friends there. But I always told to myself that I should stay in China to spread the real word to more people. And my best friend in Xi'an, who betrayed the god before, she want to follow the god with me now. I can feel the strong power from Father.”

-Chinese Student

Take the Gospel to the Nations

1. Take the Gospel to the nations.2. Start where you are.3. Don’t prequalify people for the gospel.

Who is prequalified anyway?

Brian Welch - Korn

Welch testified about how his life was on the brink of destruction when a friend gave him a Bible. "It's not about religion," he said, according to MTV News. "It's not about this church; it's not about me. It's about the Book of Life, and everybody needs to be taught this. It's crazy. It's gonna do stuff like this -- like change a guy in a rock band."

Luke 24:48-5148 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.

Your next steps?Your next steps?•Trust Jesus.Trust Jesus.

•Be Baptized.Be Baptized.

•Commit to Community.Commit to Community.

•Take the Gospel to the World.Take the Gospel to the World.