World Changers Wanted!

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  Matthew 28:19,20 

I believe one of the most exciting passages of Scripture for Christians is the Great Commission.  It’s literally the last words of Christ to His disciples prior to His ascension back into Heaven.  It wasn’t just “Well, see ya later, good luck with everything!”  No, it was a charge and an instruction; something that whole movements and disciplines have been based upon…and rightly so.  The Great Commission is the truth Jesus expressed to us as He left; the last things He wanted us to know and the next steps for the disciples and us as well. 

In reality, the Great Commission calls forth what I define as “world changers”.  World changers are people who hear the word of God, receive it, and allow it to burden their hearts for a purpose of transformation.  Not just inward transformation of oneself but transformation that bleeds out affecting families, neighborhoods, communities, cities, counties, states, nations…even the entire world.  We see the Gospel moving this way in the first centuries after Christ.  It spreads as the followers of Jesus put feet to the words He left them.  And for many of them, it was a task worth dying for. 

Now more than ever, we need world changers!  We need hearts and souls abandoned to the cause of Christ; ready to go to the ends of the globe for His glory and fame.  The world is empty and broken but the message of salvation is as real today as it was when Jesus walked the Earth.  As I understand and study this concept, three main characteristics stand out.  The following is what I believe constitutes a world changer: 

1. World changers see life as an opportunity to serve others 

1 Corinthians 6:19,20 states “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 

 A world changer understands that when they follow Christ, they are done living life unto themselves.  They are “all in” with the idea that Jesus came into the world to save sinners and upon accepting Him, they trade their sin for His Name.  Upon seeing the life of Jesus throughout the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), a world changer realizes that Jesus changed and affected the world primarily by becoming a servant to “the least of these.”  When we look around and see the broken and hurting among us and meet their needs, we are putting Christ on display.  (Matthew 25:31-46)  

2. World changers are kingdom-minded 

A world changer realizes all they have:  family, possessions, jobs…it’s all an opportunity to be used for Christ.  Kingdom-minded living vs. earthy-minded living is contrasted by what a person lives for.  If your treasure is in the things of this Earth, you will be less inclined to be a world changer because your outlook isn’t broad enough.  But if your treasure is upon things unseen; things above…then you will want to live in such a way that others become opportunities to share and present your faith.  You’ll realize money and “stuff” holds less value in the grand scheme of life.  But in using time, money and resources to show Christ, you’ll find that’s what really matters! 

3. World changers understand life is short, but eternity is forever 

In succession to point #2, this elaborates further.  A life lived well is one that is not guarded too closely (that’s tweet-able by the way!).  Let us not think too highly of ourselves to not realize at some point in time, we all take our final breath and everything we’ve accumulated “goes back in the box.”  Game over.  No redos.  A world changer is keenly aware that everyday is a gift from the Almighty and lives in the constant tension that they could be called home at any moment.  Therefore, life is worth living to the full and surrendering to a plan that is greater than ourselves.  Kingdom-minded living puts this in front of us everyday…it’s what gets us out of bed every morning and it’s what causes us to rest securely at night; knowing if we don’t awaken we will be caught up in Glory! 


I honestly have this burden as I type this to say “Guys let’s stop being caught up in ourselves and let’s start being the people God has called us to be.”  Without compromise.  Without fear.  Without hesitation as to what people might think or say.  If we truly lived the Great Commission and made it the daily attitude of our hearts and minds, what would this world look like? 

“Life is short, I want to live it well”  (thanks for the lyric Switchfoot).   

Be a world changer today.  We need you! 

How can I pray for and encourage you today?  Reach me at info@derekcharlesjohnson.com 

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