The Impossible Mission
Jesus gave His followers an impossible mission to go into all the world and preach the gospel, but with the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can accomplish great things.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the daunting mission given by Jesus to His followers, which was to seek and save the lost, as stated in Luke 19:10. He reflects on the overwhelming task assigned to a small group of uneducated believers, who were instructed to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth despite their fears and limitations. Wilkerson encourages the audience to recognize that, like the early disciples, they too are called to this seemingly impossible mission, and that the Holy Spirit can empower them to reach lost souls one at a time. He highlights that the greatest impact for eternity often comes from individual efforts rather than large-scale events. The message calls for reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength in fulfilling this divine commission.
Text
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Christ said, "I came into this world for one reason -- to reach and save lost souls." Yet this was not only the mission of Jesus, He made it our mission also: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).
Jesus was speaking here to a small band of believers, about 120 people who had gathered in the upper room. And what an impossible task He laid before them!
"Go to foreign nations, live with the people and study their languages. Lay hands on the sick, cast out devils, proclaim the good news. Go to the very seat of Satan and preach the power and victory of the risen Savior."
We must realize that Jesus was talking to ordinary, insignificant, uneducated men and women. He was placing the very future of His Church on their shoulders. They must have been overwhelmed.
Can you imagine the conversation that must have taken place once their Master ascended to heaven? "Did I hear Him right? How could we start a worldwide revolution? We're penniless and the Romans are beating and killing us. If we are treated this way here in Jerusalem, how will we be treated when we witness and preach in Rome?"
Another might have said, "How does our Lord expect us to go into all the world with the gospel when we don't even have enough money to go to Jericho? How are we to learn languages when we haven't been educated? This is all impossible."
It was indeed an impossible mission. Yet our challenge today is just as daunting!
If all who read this message would allow the Holy Spirit to make this word real to them -- to seek Him for His burden and guidance -- there is no telling what kind of harvest the Spirit might reap. The truth is, the greatest works for eternity are done not in mass crusades, but with one saint reaching one lost soul.
Sermon Outline
- The Mission of Jesus
- The Task Given to the Disciples
- The Impossibility of the Task
- The Challenge Today
- The mission is still impossible, but with the Holy Spirit's guidance
- The greatest works are done one-on-one, not in mass crusades
- Yet they were given the task of starting a worldwide revolution
Key Quotes
“Christ said, 'I came into this world for one reason -- to reach and save lost souls.'” — David Wilkerson
“Go to foreign nations, live with the people and study their languages. Lay hands on the sick, cast out devils, proclaim the good news.” — David Wilkerson
“The greatest works for eternity are done not in mass crusades, but with one saint reaching one lost soul.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We can accomplish great things for eternity by reaching one lost soul at a time.
- The Holy Spirit's guidance is essential for completing the mission of Jesus.
- Ordinary people can do extraordinary things with faith and obedience to God's call.