As I was listening to the radio the other day, the DJ asked, "Did you know God would rather die than live without you"? Well, Yes... I knew this, but I had never heard it worded like that before. For some reason that statement touched me differently that day and I really felt special.

Everything God creates is special and we are at the top of the list. But, a certain Serpent, helped mess that up and we became a blemish.

Have you ever thought about God's Kingdom~Heaven? It's a hallowed place, a place of immaculateness. Sin is not welcome there; it's offensive to God. There are no imperfections in Heaven. If God hadn't loved us so much and if he hadn't made a way for us, we would have never had the chance to ever see Heaven.

In order to restore mankind, God sacrificed his beloved son to reclaim us. Christ died once, for all time, as the ultimate sacrifice to take away the sins of limitless people. He washed us clean and gave us freedom from inescapable death. Jesus redeemed us so we could enter God's Kingdom.

Jesus Christ our Savior, Teacher and King told us the truth and the way of salvation. Jesus, the authority of Heaven and Earth gave a command, a final instruction to his followers before he ascended to Heaven. He said, "GO...make new disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey all the commands I have given you".

We are God's Children, his associates. As instructed by our Lord and Master, we have a duty to go, to proceed and maintain the actions of God, to be dedicated in sharing the teachings that have been given to us. We are to convey love and grace to all people, and have a positive effect on our society. We are to be in harmony with each other and with God. Our relationships with others should be of passion and empathy, just like that of our Father.

God has redeemed us as special and worthy children. As his children we are to "GO" with affection to others and tell them this "Good News".

Matthew 28:16-20 Acts 1: 8

Mark 16: 15 & 16 Titus 2:11-15

Luke 24: 47 & 48 Hebrews 9:28

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I grew up in a church environment--I attended Sunday School, memorized the 23rd Psalm, participated in the youth choir, went to Vacation Bible School every summer as a child, and was baptized when I was 6--however, despite my upbringing, I still sometimes question the existence of God. I have noticed that the more time I spend away from the church environment, the more I find myself doubting God. By church environment, I don't mean just showing up for the church service on Sunday, I mean the church experience--the people I meet through the church, the music playing during the service, and the message of the sermon. Of these, the people I have met hold the highest importance in sustaining my faith. It's their testimonies of tragedy and triumph through their belief in God that gives me a sense of peace when I am troubled. It's their ability to open up, to share their stories, to love others, and to live Christ-like that enables me to desire the same relationship with God. This is exactly what Jesus wanted us to do (Matthew 28:16-20). If the disciples had not been willing to go out, share Jesus' story, love others, and live Christ-like, where would the Christian faith be now? How would the world be now? If the people in this church community had not been willing to open up and share, where would I be now, spiritually? Where would you be? Maybe you can be the one that enables another to want a better relationship with God.

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For most of us, we really enjoy coming to worship on Sunday mornings.
We get to meet all our friends and worship God together. We hear and
often participate in a heart-stirring message that leads us to think
deeply about our human condition. And the next week, we are back in
church again to get our lives rejuvenated once again.
But is that all God wants from us, just to think deeply about Him and
our sinful condition and our need for Him? Does he only want us to
draw close to Him each week and then go home? Jesus clearly tells us
in Matthew 28:18-20:
Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in
heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have
given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end
of the age."
Jesus calls us to go out into our world and make disciples. He tells
us we must GO. We must get out of our comfort zone (our church) and
move to where He can use us. We must go to meet people who don't yet
know Him, and love them in ways that demonstrate who Jesus is.

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Read Matthew 28:16-20. In Jesus' last words before he ascended into Heaven, He said, "Go". From that point on, all who follow Jesus were (and are) called to this command. We are called to make disciples of all nations. God's intention was not for us to set up churches in every nation but to create a collective body of Christ within nations, creating one big capital "C" Church. I believe that some Christians spend so much time working on the "church" that they've forgotten the world outside of the "church" walls. This is not what God intended.
God is calling the Quest Church go "Go". This means that we need to be living by Jesus' example daily. I challenge you throughout this week to see through Jesus' eyes and love people just as Jesus did. You will find that it will brighten up your life as well as the lives of those you encounter.

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Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." --Matthew 28:16-20 MSG

Go. Such a little word but it holds so many meanings. Dictionary.com defines it as: to move or proceed, to leave a place; depart, to keep or be in motion; function or perform as required, to become as specified, to continue in a certain state or condition; be habitually, to be known, to reach, extend or give access to. When Jesus gave the Great Commission he used few words but he said so much.

To follow his command, we must move! We must leave where we are and teach others about him. We must become disciples and continue doing the work of Peter and John. It's a life change that we embrace so we can habitually do his work. When we go, we will reach out and extend Christianity, giving access to Jesus to people who may never have heard of him. Go is a busy word. It's a big responsibility.

Go. Where will you begin?

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