It is as we carry out the Great Commission that we are promised the presence of the Lord. In three centuries the early church grew from a small sect within Judaism to the religion of the Roman Empire. Throughout this time the church was hidden, growing by personal witness and small fellowships. There were no efforts in the public sphere. There were simply people who knew and loved Jesus, spoke about Him, and loved each other and their neighbours in a way that impressed pagans around them. They were people so convinced of the presence of Jesus with them that they faced death courageously. The “mustard seed” grew into a great tree.


Although we may encounter difficulties in carrying out the Great Commission, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:8, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” Perplexed in the original Greek means “no way through.” Despair is the same word intensified, meaning, “utterly without any way through.” There will always be a way; Jesus guarantees it.