Hello. It's a great privilege for me to be here to share some words from the Bible with you.
! It's my first time. I'm sorry if you don't understand my Branglish which is Bulgarian English.
But I need to cope with me for 20 minutes. So I want to give you, to start by giving you a shocking story that happened to me this summer in Bulgaria.
In July I was in Black Sea and there was waves and big waves and the swimming was forbidden.
So the guards did hard work all day long till 6 p.m. to keep the people out of the sea.
And at 6 o'clock, three kids, when the guards went off, three kids got in.
So I'm not sure if you ever experienced what the red current or whatever it's called that is pulling you in.
And we went with my brother to tell them to come out.
Because they were quite further in. And they wouldn't listen.
And the further I went to warn them, I noticed that they are drowning.
They just couldn't come out. So we went with my brother and thanks God we managed to save three kids.
Which was difficult. We almost drowned ourselves with my brother.
But I want to link this story with the great commission which God is giving to the apostles.
Because the way it works is if we hadn't saved these kids, they would be dead now.
And if we don't fulfill the great commission that Jesus is giving us,
a lot of people will go to hell. And these are people who we love.
Our friends and part of the family and neighbors and colleagues.
So I want to focus on two things today.
To explain briefly how the great commission works.
But I want to focus on the practical implications for us.
So first, notice who is he.
And he said that he has all the power in the world.
Notice what he promised.
He promised always to be with them.
Never to leave them alone.
And what do they are supposed to do?
To go and make disciples.
But what do disciples need to do?
Just to go to church or to be baptized?
No, they need to keep the commandments.
Not just some day when we go to church.
Monday to Saturday.
Every day till the rest of our lives.
So, I have three simple points.
First, has the great commission been fulfilled around the world?
This is go and make disciples.
Secondly, has the great commission been fulfilled in UK?
And thirdly, is it being fulfilled by us personally?
By each one of us individually?
And go back to the first question.
Has it been fulfilled around the world?
Of course it has been fulfilled.
Otherwise we wouldn't be here.
We know how apostles were teaching.
How the first Christians devoted themselves to the apostle teachings.
We have 21 centuries church history already.
Because of the fulfillment of the great commission.
And so let us remember what happened.
The Holy Spirit came in the day of Pentecost.
It was a miracle.
Three thousand people were converted in that day.
I would love to have been there.
This is probably the most charismatic day in humanity.
But, these first three thousand people were called Christians.
Something happened to them.
And what happens is the Holy Spirit made them think.
People around the world go and don't think.
But these people were made to think.
That's why they answered the questions.
What should we do?
And Peter told them repent.
So that's the first thing.
The apostles are fulfilling the great commission.
By preaching the gospel.
And if we go to Acts chapter 2, 47.
It says,
And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
That's every single day people were saved.
And if you go to the book of Acts.
There are seven references.
Like the church is being carried out by the apostles.
And the church blossoms.
And the church grows.
And multiplies in numbers.
There are wonderful seven verses.
I can give you references later on.
So, I always love the book of Acts.
Because it's always first days.
The first church.
The first Christians.
The first martyrs.
The first deacons.
The first sermon.
Everything is first day.
But, we see later on divisions.
We see what happens in church history if you go back.
That when the Pope forbid to read the Bible.
And use it as an instrument.
That people would believe that the salvation comes through.
Submitting to the Catholic Church.
And if you are cast out from the Catholic Church.
You lose your salvation.
It was a terrible time.
But, what happens after that.
Is God used Martin Luther.
A German monk.
Who God used.
To stand against all the hypocrisy.
And said.
This can't continue anymore.
So, interesting.
When I went with my wife to our honeymoon.
We went to Rome.
And we went to Verona.
And different churches.
And one of our Christian guides.
Showed us.
How much they changed.
Even the pulpit in the churches.
Was not in the central position.
But was secondary row.
That was on the side.
When you walk in.
You won't even see it.
When you see it.
You will see.
Probably Virgin Mary.
You will see her holding baby.
You won't hear the cry stretched.
In the church.
Which was sad for us.
But.
That's what happened.
And thank God.
That he used Martin Luther to change that.
And.
If we look around.
And you will see.
How.
Billy Graham went.
Took his crusades.
From country to country.
And he preached the gospel.
And that's how he was fulfilling.
The great commission.
And I've heard about.
A church in Alabama.
That.
Had about ten members.
Now this church.
Has four thousand members.
And what we do around.
The world.
Is we spread the gospel.
By giving out.
The free literature.
Books.
We even do door knocking.
Disturb people.
Tell them about Christ.
And.
We go to prisons.
We go to hospital.
We go to schools.
We go to university.
And do.
Christian unions.
But look at.
Look go back to the first century.
Even though there was still.
Apostle.
Or alive.
John.
The false teaching.
Started creeping in.
Even in first century.
And.
Even now.
In UK.
If you ask.
If you see statistics.
Generally speaking.
Christianity.
Is not the main religion.
Although we are supposed to be a Christian country.
What.
It's not the Buddhism.
What people believed.
Is that.
God wants them to be happy.
And to be good.
And loving.
But this is not Christianity.
This is false.
Christianity.
Is not what people do.
Christianity.
Is what Christ did for people.
And this is what people get wrong.
Christianity.
Is Christ going on the cross.
Taking the punishment we deserve for our sins.
And.
People very often associate the church with the.
Crusades.
With the inquisitions.
With the Pope.
With the Vatican.
And so.
That's why I want to move to the second point.
What do you think?
Is not what people do.
Christianity.
Is not what people do.
Christianity.
Is what Christ did for people.
And.
Is what Christ did for people.
And.
Is not what Holocaust.
people very often associate the church with the
crusades, with the inquisitions, with the Pope, with the Vatican
and so that's why I want to move to the second point
what do we do in UK? And I'll tell you
something that I didn't know until I went to the Bible
college. The Bible college that I studied
was planted by a very well known preacher called Dieth Lucas
who started a ministry in the 60s
or 70s and there was a church in the city with
6 or 7 elderly people. This church has over a thousand members
now. When he was asked what he did he said I preach fully
faith, faithfully preach the word and the word did its work.
So he was fulfilling the great commission by just preaching the gospel.
And you know what? You are really blessed here in UK
because where I come from
during the Ottoman and during the communism
churches in Bulgaria struggle a lot
Christians were persecuted
here nobody persecutes us or at least not yet so let's not take this freedom for granted
let's use it
and
being an immigrant is not easy
everything is difficult
different for me here. Different culture
different food
but
thanks God my best friend the Queen gave me a British passport
so
I kind of join in
and I don't find it difficult
to share the gospel with anybody
it doesn't matter whether their skin color is
were they rich or young or poor
or
old or
it doesn't matter for me
and it shouldn't matter for any of us
because
Christ didn't say
go and preach to this and this
preached
all around the world
and when we go back to
Acts
and see
verse 8 from chapter 1
he said that
you would go back to the whole world
not just
Judea and Samaria
and this is what we
we see in
verse by verse
chapter by chapter in Acts
until
21st century
and
very often people
tell me
I'm afraid
to do it
afraid from what?
we don't live in Iraq
or Afghanistan
nobody is going to kill you
if you share the gospel
or people say
I'm ashamed
ashamed from what?
Apostle Paul says
I'm not ashamed
to share the gospel
because it's the power of salvation
why do we need to be ashamed
if the apostles are not ashamed?
they were ready to die for it
they died for it actually
they knew that
the moment they die
they would meet with Christ
so they were not afraid
they were not ashamed
why should we?
or some other people
say we are busy
we go to work
and we all go to work
and
but
if we say that we are busy now
because we go to work
when are we going to fulfill
the great commission?
when we retire?
is that what we say to Christ
if he comes back now?
we are too busy?
or
if we
are already retired
we are left with no excuse
we have experience
and time
but
someone would say
well
there is a work to be done
and you are telling me
this in my lunchtime break
give me a break
I don't want you to see it this way
it is a command
fulfilling the
the great commission
but
I want you to see
the way it is
it is an enormous
privilege
to be God's ambassadors
in this world
we are not working for
Samsung
or for Sony
or for
Shell
or for Apple
or for Aston Martin
we work for God
what can be better than that?
and
you have no idea
how much easier
it is to share the gospel
in UK
than in
in Bulgaria
we don't have
in my country
500
years
of Protestant heritage
and
some
something
someone might say
but
we don't live in
first century
things are changed
there is so much
brainwashing
on the TV
and
all this
anti-Christian
propaganda
it is
bad influence
homosexual marriages
abortion
and so on
I know it is not easy
but it is much easier
than Bulgaria
and I want to
that I
want to tell
that I am so
encouraged
to see how people
do it in UK
when I
studied in the
Bible college
there were
Christians
students from
all around
UK
different churches
and I spoke
because I love
sharing the gospel
and I spoke to each
one of them
what they do
in their church
how they do it
and I was so
encouraged to see
that all of them
are involved
in some kind
of activities
invite people
invite friends
and they invite them
to share the gospel
then take them
to the church
for further discussions
with the pastor
with the elders
and that is great
it really
makes me feel sad
though
when I see
churches
converted into
flats
so
we really
have work
to do
and by
fulfilling
the great
commission
we can stop
seeing these
churches
converted
to flats
unfortunately
there is a
decrease in
Christianity
in UK
and it is
not the same
as it was
during the
times of
Puritans
and during
the revivals
so that is
why I would
ask you
to be careful
what you
read
and what you
allow your
kids and your
grandkids to
read
not to miss
reading the
Bible in the
evening before
they go to
bed
this is very
important
because we
establish in
our faith
they are not
and it is
up to us
to do it
and this is
one of the
part of the
fulfillment of
the great
commission
moms can
talk to
even
school
and do
other moms
in
schools
in parks
it takes
10 to 15
seconds to
invite somebody
to come to
church
which brings
me to
our last
point
are we
personally
fulfilling
the great
commission
think about
how to
share the
gospel with
everybody
no
exceptions
everybody
you might
think he
would never
believe
he would
believe
or he is
so stubborn
or he is
a scientist
and so on
everybody
no exceptions
just pray
that God
will prepare
their hearts
and use
any opportunity
to do it
and I can
give you some
practical
advices
and it is
just
I want to
understand you
this
you don't
have to be
a preacher
or to
have studied
in a Bible
college
or to be
a pastor
or deacon
or elder
to share
the gospel
everybody
can do it
it is so
easy
it is so
simple
I need
a good
public
speaker
neither
a good
preacher
but I
just love
sharing
the gospel
with people
and that is
why I went
all the way
to Jerusalem
to see the
empty
grave
of Jesus
so
am I
going
if I am
going to
speak to
you at the
end of
my life
about the
empty
grave
I need
to see
it
and so
not to
be convinced
but to
use it
as a
good
illustration
and I
have to
tell you
a story
that
when I
entered
the grave
I didn't
expect to
see the
body
but I
saw a
verse
that says
he is not
here because
he is risen
and that
brought me
back 2000
years ago
when the
angel
whispered
these words
and believe
me it is
so special
experience
it can
replace it
compared
with anything
and so
let me
give you
some
practical
advices
there are
three things
that you
need to
share
with people
when sharing
the gospel
and
when I
preached
in
Bulgaria
last month
I even
get my
kids to
do some
visual aids
and so
the first
thing is
the creation
so kids
do this
everything
creation
so the
second
thing
was the
fall
and
the third
thing
was the
redemption
so let me
explain briefly
this
so the
first thing
is to
tell people
you can't
really share
the gospel
unless you
tell them
that we
live in
the world
that God
created
so he
created
everything
unfortunately
they did
not submit
to his
command
not to eat
the fruit
of the
knowledge
in evil
and that's
what we
call the
fall
that's why
we are in
this shape
now
because we
are sinful
people
we do
what we
want
not what
God
wants
and every
one of us
does it
you don't
need to
teach a
young
baby
to sin
it's in
their
heart
so that's
the second
thing
that we
need to
tell people
because
unless we
tell them
this
our
rebellions
we won't
be able
to explain
the key
or the
puzzle
of the
Christianity
is Christ
the
sacrificial
and the
atoning
work
of Christ
what he
actually
did
on the
cross
and
that
is
taking
the
punishment
we
deserve
for our
sins
and
depending
on the
situation
when you
have
with
people
depending
what you
have
what time
you
have
you
might
need
to
listen
more
you
might
need
to
tell
them
stories
about
God
making
covenant
with
Abraham
God
giving
the
Ten
Commandments
to
Moses
but
the
most
important
thing
is
to
bring
them
to
Christ
people
do
two
common
mistakes
they
talk
about
the
love
of
God
and
they
forgot
to
say
that
God
is
angry
when
we
sin
you
can't
share
the
gospel
without
telling
them
the
punishment
that
is
awaiting
unrepentant
sinners
secondly
when
people
give
their
testimony
they
focus
on
how
bad
they
were
and
how
good
they
are
now
that's
wrong
it's
what
God
did
in
our
hearts
that's
what
we
need
to
talk
about
it's
all
the
glory
bring
to
God
so
!
the question
we need
to ask
ourselves
though
is
have
our
hearts
been
transformed
because
some of
you might
know
the story
of John
Wesley
he was
going
all the
way
to the
ocean
to
America
to share
the gospel
and do
evangelistic
teachings
without
being
converted
until
one day
he discovered
that he
needs
to be
converted
himself
so
that's
the
question
we need
to ask
ourselves
and
if
there is
somebody
here
who hasn't
done
this
yet
who hasn't
committed
this life
to Jesus
just ask
us
after the
service
we will
be happy
to say
that
to give
you
some
advice
because
at the
end of
the day
we live
once
and the
Bible
says
that
after
that
everybody
will die
nobody
can
escape
that
and
after
that
becomes
judgment
and I
recently
read
one of
the books
by Dr.
Marty Lloyd
Jones
a great
Welsh
preacher
from the
previous
century
and he
said
that
at the
end of
we are
not
travelers
at the
end of
our
lives
our
soul
will go
on the
last
journey
and it
will go
alone
so think
about
we all
believing
or not
believing
in God
we are
going to
meet
him
and
he is
reaching
out
to you
now
call
his
name
and be
saved
15
years ago
when I
came to
England
I was
playing
a
dangerous
game
I
realized
that I
played
this
game
for
25
years
I
was
so
arrogant
that I
was
bargaining
with
God
if you
do
this
and
this
for
me
I
will
do
this
and
that
can you
believe
that
until
one day
I was
listening
a song
that says
God is
so good
he took
my sin
and now
I am free
and believe me
I was
31 years
old
and I fell
down
and started
crying
and since
that day
I have been
experiencing
indescribable
joy
joy that I
want to
share with
everybody
in this
world
and so
coming to
our
conclusion
I want
to give
you some
examples
of
sharing
the
gospel
with
people
when I
came
in 2001
and got
converted
I was
working
for
less than
the minimum
wages
and I
was
studying
half day
English
half day
work
sometimes
night shift
work
sometimes
early shift
and it
was
very
difficult
and one
of my
colleagues
in the
language
school
here in
Ealing
asked me
why are
you so
happy
why are
you always
joyful
I mean
your work
is terrible
you're
underpaid
your relatives
your family
is away
and I
said
well let
me tell
you why
and I
told him
about God
how difficult
is that
oh
my new
approach
that I
do
recently
is
talk about
heaven
it doesn't
matter what
people
talk about
you don't
have to
have
occasion
like
Christmas
like Easter
which are
the best
occasions
never ever
miss
to invite
people
and to
talk
about
God
but
it's very
simple
just give
me any
subject
any
discussion
just give
me any
discussion
any point
sorry
oh
that's
that's a
difficult one
believe it or
no
I don't like
football
but
it's always
bad
I always
talk to
people when
they mention
something about
football
people said
listen
I don't
like
football
but
I'm very
impressed
when
Brazilians
team
and they
gather on
the pitch
and they
pray
and let
me tell
you why
they pray
who they
pray
what they
win
how God
is blessing
them
so it's
simple as that
you can change
any discussion
and say
there's a pollution
there's a corruption
there's murder
there's rape
and whatever
in heaven
it's not going
to be like that
how simple
is that
so
and to finish
I want to give
you
another story
I spoke with
a friend
recently
and he said
I'm an engineer
and
for me it's
difficult to
believe in
an invisible
God
I know
there's a
supreme being
we are not
alone
there is
something
I'm not
an atheist
but I just
find it
difficult
and I told
him this
we spoke
on the phone
and said
I will
ask you
to repeat
after me
if you want
if you not
I will send
you a written
prayer
and just
say it
in your
own time
and it was
just simple
like
he told me
that he has
family problems
he told me
that he has
different
difficult
issues
with health
and I told
him
just say
God
if you
really exist
help me
reveal yourself
to me
I know
that there
is something
I don't
know you
I want
to know
you
please
forgive my
sins
because I've
done terrible
things
in my life
that I'm
not proud
of
help me
to deal
with my
family
with my
health
issues
and I
just told
him
just ask
God
to do
it
God
has done
it
with so
many
people
around
the
world
he
would
do
it
for
you
he
would
never
turn
down
your
prayer
and so
I want
to finish
with this
as I
started
remember
if I
hadn't
been put
on that
beach
at that
moment
when the
kids
are
drowning
they
would
have
been
drowned
now
and so
that's
what we
do
if we
don't
talk
to
people
they
would
go
to
hell
and so
there
are
two
responses
the
father
of
these
children
said
I
went
to
share
the
gospel
with
him
he
said
I'm
a
biologist
I'm
a
scientist
and I
explained
him
the
gospel
there
are
two
responses
to
say
I'm
a
scientist
or
like
people
in
first
century
in
chapter
2
of
Acts
they
said
to
Peter
what
should
we
do
!
and
Peter
tell
them
repent
and
the
moment
we
repent
we
hear
his
voice
he
said
come
welcome
I've
been
waiting
for
you
let's
pray