Date: 8/7/2007
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: August 7, 2007
<br><br>If we were sitting on the courthouse lawn in Centerville, and you asked me directions in getting to Nashville, I probably could come up with a number of different routes.  I might tell you to go down new Highway 50, hit I-40 and take a right.  I could tell you to take Highway 100 through Fairview.  I could tell you to take 48 through Pinewood and get on I-40 just inside of Dickson County.  I could even tell you to go through Columbia and take I-65 to Music City.  The simple truth is this......there are a bunch of different ways to get to Nashville from the Centerville square.  Regardless of which one you take, though some may take a little longer than others, you would eventually end up in Nashville, TN.  Some folks might like interstate travel better because it is quicker, while others might would rather travel Highway’s 100 or 70 because the drive is a bit more scenic.  In the end, does it really matter how you get there as long as you get there?  Does it really make a difference how we “Go” to Nashville as long as we arrive at our destination? Read on.<br><br>Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, “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.”  Our Savior tells us what we are to do (make disciples) and he tells us how to do it (baptizing and teaching them).  So what does the word “Go” mean?  I suppose to the first century Christian, it would mean to walk, run, ride a donkey or camel, ride in a chariot, or maybe get in a boat.  It might have meant to door knock, walk about as a town crier, or hold a street corner gospel meeting.  If we agree that these were their primary means and methods of getting out and about to spread the gospel (“Go“), then should we also agree that we can only use those same methods now in the 21st Century?  I think most Christians would answer “no, of course not.” It almost seems like sort of a silly question, doesn’t it?<br><br>I believe the New Testament spells out very plainly the content of the Gospel message that we are to preach, teach and carry (“Go”) to the masses.  God’s only Son, along with other inspired men,  spelled out in direct command what should be contained in the “Good News” that we take to men of every nation.  HEAR, BELIEVE, REPENT, CONFESS, BE BAPTIZED, BE FAITHFUL.  This is what we are to take when we “Go into all the world”, nothing more and nothing less.  But what about the “Go” part?  I think it’s very simple.  “Go” however you can.  Ride, drive, or fly.  Email, call, send a card, skywrite or anything else you can think of.  I don’t think the Lord cares how we interpret “Go”, as long as we are continually “Going” somewhere with his message.  Hence, should we not be most concerned with the message being carried,  rather than the way in which we, or anyone else is carrying it?<br><br>This Sunday we are going to “Go” by means of motorcycle, a modern day two-wheeled chariot if you will.  There may be a lot of individuals with us this weekend who have not darkened the doors of a church building in a long time, if ever.  I think it’s a worthy cause, you know, inviting (“Going to”) these folks who have eternal souls (some lost) to come to the Lord‘s services.  Sure, there will still be some camel riders along the way who will disagree with and even show some disdain for our methods of “Going”, or carrying the Message.  That’s alright.  As the saying goes, “We’ll love ‘em anyway”.  Hope to see you this Sunday with Bible in one hand and throttle in the other.  By the way, you know the motorcycle greeting that we give to others bikers on the road with our left arm extended outward?  Does that apply to camels too?<br>                                                                                                         <br>Go the extra mile - Devin<br>