The words in Scripture should be the primary means of stirring our hearts toward loving God and participating in His global mission.
Yet, sometimes, God also uses the words of His followers to motivate us to play our part in the Great Commission. Authors, pastors, missionaries, and others might say the right thing at the right time to move someone from apathy to obedience.
Such words could fill a book, but here are just a few missional quotes to inspire believers.
“Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” -William Carey
The God we worship is the God who created the world, parted the Red Sea, and raised people from the dead. He can and still does incredible things. If we are following Him, nothing should hold believers back from attempting great things for His name’s sake.
“Some wish to live within the sound of church and chapel bell. I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell!” -C.T. Studd
Living for the Great Commission often means living outside of your comfort zone. The places in need of the gospel are the places where the message of Jesus Christ is largely unwelcome. But the Great Commission won’t be accomplished if we stay in our safe Christian bubbles. Christ followers must go to the spiritually darkest places in order for the world to know about our Savior.
“The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to him, the more intensely missionary we become.” -Henry Martyn
Jesus longs for people from every nation to know and follow Him. As believers fall more in love with Jesus, we will also fall more in love with His mission and desire to be a part of it.
“The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.” -Carl F.H. Henry
This is a sobering reminder that people die every day without ever knowing about Jesus. Christ followers have been given the gift of the greatest news in history, but we must get this news to the unreached before it is too late.
“Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.” -David Platt
If you have been saved by Jesus, you have a responsibility to tell others about Him. The gospel was not meant to be a private religion. The gospel was meant to be shared with the world, and believers have the privilege to proclaim it.
”Oh God, here's my Bible, Here's my money. Here's me. Use me, God.” -Gladys Aylward
Gladys Aylward's quote echoes the words of Isaiah when he said, “‘Here am I. Send me (Isaiah 6:8b)!’” Do you desire to give God all of your gifts, time, and talents and have Him use them for His Kingdom purposes?
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliot
Jim Elliot gave everything when he lost his life for the sake of the gospel. He had found a cause worth dying for and lived for that cause until the Lord called him home. Living for the Great Commission can come at a cost, but the reward is greater than what is lost.
As you read the Bible or the words of other heroes of the faith, be encouraged to live with the same zeal for the Great Commission as other brothers and sisters in Christ have had.