December 24: Insight Post by Rusty Coram

  -   December 24, 2025

God Equips Us for the Mission: Jesus promises that He will be with His followers as they carry out the Great Commission, giving them the power and guidance needed for the task. We are not left alone in this mission; we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Wednesday Verse

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NLT)

Wednesday Questions

How can I rely more on the Holy Spirit’s power in fulfilling my role in the Great Commission? In what ways can I seek His guidance and strength to effectively share the Good News and support others in their spiritual journey?

Wednesday Insight Post
by Rusty Coram

Our passage this week is often referred to as “The Great Commission,” where Jesus gives His disciples and all who come after them the assignment to persuade others to accept and follow Him. A commission is “a task or matter entrusted to one as an agent for another” (Webster’s Dictionary). Jesus makes it clear that He has the ultimate authority and, in that capacity, He assigns us to go to all people groups (nations) and lead them to discover a relationship with Him, identify as followers through baptism, and train them to obey all Jesus’ commands.

This is clear, easy to articulate, and… rare. Years ago, I heard a preacher call this “the great omission,” noting that most Christians know it but few truly live it out in their daily lives.

Another term for this is evangelism, which literally means spreading “good news.” Unfortunately, for many, the idea of telling others about Jesus and urging them to consider accepting Him strikes fear. It could be they view this as being confrontational or judgmental – common stereotypes which are a real shame. Others prefer not to discuss faith with others because they aren’t living it out personally and don’t want the scrutiny. As a result, Jesus’ assignment is ignored and may be replaced by merely doing good things.

Polls consistently indicate that non-believers are open to discussing faith in a respectful atmosphere. When we work to build friendships with them, there are natural opportunities to show our faith in action and to tell how Jesus has and is changing us and working in our lives. Serving others and genuinely caring about them opens the door. Take time this week and pray for 2 or 3 friends, neighbors, classmates, or co-workers who don’t yet know Jesus. Ask God to show you ways to get to know them better and to share your faith naturally.

Watch what happens!

Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org