The Great Commission: Answering Jesus' Call to Evangelism

The journey from corporate success to spiritual calling rarely follows a straight path. Evangelist Darrell Richardson's transformation from airline executive with a corner office to missionary in Kenya exemplifies how God selects not the perfect, but those needed to accomplish His purpose.

Standing at the intersection of biblical teaching and personal testimony, this episode unpacks the true meaning of evangelism through three pivotal questions: what is it, when did it begin, and where did it begin? Walking listeners through the resurrection narrative, Darrell illuminates how Jesus' final instructions—known as the Great Commission—established evangelism as not merely a suggestion but a divine command for every believer.

The heart of this message resonates in Darrell's candid recounting of hearing God's voice during early morning walks. "Trust and believe in me with all your heart," came the gentle instruction, followed months later by the life-altering command: "Now go tell them who I am." These divine encounters catalyzed a complete life restructuring—selling possessions, embracing missionary work, and ultimately finding purpose far beyond corporate achievement.

Whether you're struggling with your faith journey, questioning your purpose, or seeking to understand what true discipleship looks like, this episode offers both challenge and comfort. Are you merely a church-goer who appears on holidays, or a committed disciple actively engaged in sharing Christ? The invitation stands: join the journey of authentic discipleship where your life becomes a testament to something greater than yourself. Connect with us through the radio station or social media to continue the conversation and prayer.

Thank you for joining us in this episode of In the Field Audio Bible, where we explore the richness of God’s Word, one chapter at a time. We hope today’s reading brought insight, comfort, or inspiration to your journey of faith.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions! Feel free to send us a text to let us know how In the Field Audio Bible is impacting your faith journey. Until next time, may God’s Word guide and bless you.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Evangelism
• 5:47 The Resurrection Story
• 8:37 Understanding the Great Commission
• 12:39 What It Means to Be a Disciple
• 14:55 Daryl's Personal Testimony
• 20:12 Invitation to Accept Christ

Transcript

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 0:22

My name is Darrell Richardson and I am so grateful to be here today to speak with you on the subject of evangelism. So great to be with In the Field Worship Radio WFWR. But first let's have a word of prayer. But first let's have a word of prayer, father. We asked you today to help us teach the word of God here today. Let us get our message across and please speak to everyone's heart. I know you've laid a burden on me today to bring a word of God to the people and I know it's a special message that you want me to deliver. So, God, I'm just asking for your guidance and for your help. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen and Amen.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 1:14

Today we're going to focus on three key questions about evangelism. Key questions about evangelism what is it? When did it begin and where did it begin? Evangelism is the spreading of the word of God by ministers in public places and Christians giving personal witness. What are the qualifications of an evangelist? A strong faith in Jesus Christ and knowledge of the word of an evangelist. A strong faith in Jesus Christ and knowledge of the Word of God. To truly understand evangelism, we must start with the beginning. Matthew 28: 1.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 1:53

After the Sabbath at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. In both the Gospels of Mark and Luke, both writers tell us that the women were going to the tomb to finish what they didn't get to finish on Friday because the Sabbath was coming. It was really late on Friday night, and so they had spices to put on the body which they didn't get to finish, and so they, Matthew, the women simply to see the tomb, were going back to finish it. In Matthew and in the Book of John. John gives no reason for their coming. Joseph of Arimathea was, according to all four Gospels, the man who assumed the responsibility for the burial of Jesus after his crucifixion. He and Nicodemus had took the body to Joseph's tomb and they wrapped it in cloth and the women were mixing up the spices and they did this to treat the body for burial. But since the Jewish Sabbath is on Saturday, they was running out of time since it was so late, so they didn't get finished. So both Mark and Luke both say that the women was going back to finish, to put more spices on the body. Many Christians interpret Joseph's role as fulfilling Isaiah's prediction that the grave of the suffering servant would be with the rich man.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 3:32

The prophecy in Isaiah 53, is known as the Man of Sorrows passage. He was assigned a grave with the wicked and with the rich. In his death, though, he had done no violence nor was any deceit in his mouth. Verse 2, there was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and go into the tomb, roll back the stone and sit on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow. I take it by this is that when they describe his appearance was as lightning, it was probably he was really bright. I would think that's my interpretation is that he was given a really bright light, like a, like a streak of lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. Now, in verse four, it says the guards were so afraid of him that they shook and become like dead men. I think they're. My interpretation of that is is that they probably fainted. In verse five, the angel said to the women Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. He is risen. Just as he said, come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples he has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see him now. I have told you so.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 5:11

In Verse 8, the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell Jesus' disciples. And ran to tell Jesus' disciples. Suddenly, Jesus met them, greetings he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. In Verse 10, Jesus said to them "Do not be afraid, go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, there they will see me. While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and they told the chief priest everything that had happened. But they were concerned. When the chief priest had met with the elders, they came up with a plan to pay off these guards, to tell everyone that the disciples had come to the tomb and had stole Jesus' body away. And they told the guards that it would be okay if the governor found out about it, that they would take up for him and they would help him out. Up for them and they would help them out.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 6:22

In Verse 16, the eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountains where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him. But some doubted. Three years they had traveled with the Savior. Three years they had traveled with the Savior. Three years they had traveled with the man that had created everything. Three years, three long years, they had watched him over and over and over work many, many miracles. They first saw him turn water into wine. Not just any wine, he turned water into aged wine. Then they saw him cure people who was lame, people who had leprosy, people who could not hear, people who could not see. They even witnessed him raising people from the dead. But some still doubted Verse 18. Then Jesus came to them and said all authority in heaven and on earth has been, has been given to me. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me all the armies, Michael's Army in Heaven, everything. Now Jesus has authority over it. And he's telling this to the disciples.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 8:10

In Verse 19,. Jesus is talking to his followers and disciples and he says. "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 age. These were marching orders from Jesus that we know as the Great Commission. These words are a command that we know as the Great Commission. These words are a command. That is why we call it the Great Commission and not the Great Suggestion. Jesus did not say hey, look, guys, you know, if you're in the mood, if you don't mind, would you do me a favor the next time you're over at this other country? Would you just sort of mention about Christianity to them? No, this is a command.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 9:14

James 4: 17 says "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. So this is called the sin of omission, which is not doing what you're supposed to do. These words were given to every follower of Jesus. If I am his disciple, I am commanded to go and make disciples of others. On the other hand, if I'm not making disciples of others, then I'm not being the disciple God wants me to be.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 9:52

How many times have you heard non-Christians say that the problem with Christians are always trying to push their religion on them? The problem is we're commanded by our Savior, we're commanded by the Creator of everything to go, spread His Word and to baptize people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. For many of us, the Great Commission has instead become the great omission. So now, how are you doing with your part in fulfilling the great commission? Tell me, are you doing your part or waiting for the world to come to you? He now solemnly commissioned the apostles and his ministers to go forth among all nations. The salvation they were to preach is a common salvation. Whoever will, let him come and take the benefit. All are welcome to Jesus Christ.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 10:59

Christianity is a religion of a sinner who applies for salvation for his sin, paid for by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sinner appeals to the mercy of the Father through the atonement of the Son and by the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and gives up himself to be the worshiper and servant of God as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost three persons but one, God. Baptism is an outward sign of that inward washing or sanctification of the Spirit which seals the believer's justification. Now we must examine ourselves whether we really possess the inward and spiritual grace of a death and to sin and a new birth and to righteousness, for which those who were the children of sin become the children of God, believers shall have the constant presence of their Lord forever and ever.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 12:13

These words are not just given to the original 11 disciples, nor were they exclusively for pastors, evangelists and missionaries. They are for every follower of Jesus Christ. If we are his disciples, then we are commanded to go and make disciples of others. It doesn't mean you need to board an airplane and fly halfway around the world and go to some third world country. But how about speaking with your neighbor across the street? How about talking to your mom and your dad, your uncle, your aunt? How about talking to your children? How about explaining to your children who Jesus is? What does it mean to make disciples? Jesus said teach these new disciples to obey all the commandments I've given you. I believe it means that you demonstrate discipleship for them by the way you live your life and tell them about God's word. Set an example, stand up, take a stand, be a Christian, be a leader, folks. That's what it's all about. That's what he's trying to get us to do is step up and show that we are disciples of his. We believe in him, we have faith in him. We know that he is there. We walk with him every day. We talk with him every day. Just be a Christian day. Just be a Christian.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 13:51

My story is one of a man who rose to the top in his industry. This is my journey, my journey from 37,000 feet to making a soft landing with Jesus. All my life, I had worked hard and climbed the corporate ladder. I did whatever it took to take that next step. I now had a corner office in the corporate C-Suite of a large airline. I could travel to any country in the world by just showing up at the airport and boarding an airplane. Everything was provided for me. After all, I was in charge.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 14:31

But one day, Jesus came knocking at my door. You see, he doesn't select the perfect all the time. He selects the ones that he needs to get the job done, needs to get the job done. It was in 2014. One morning, it was just breaking daylight and I was out walking, as I normally did of a morning, and I'm walking along and I remember I'm talking with Jesus and I'm asking him questions and I'm saying, lord, what do you want from me? What is it that you would have me to do? And then a voice spoke to me. It really shakes you when this happens, but Jesus has got such a sweet, loving, kind voice. And I heard this voice come in and he said "Dress and believe in me with all your heart. And so he said and he was gone. Wow, shook me up. I got to tell you I had heard Jesus' voice a few times before, but never to this extent.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 15:54

So a few months go by and I'm still walking in the morning and I hear the Lord start to come in again and he says trust and believe in me with all your heart so I may give you eternal life. And wow, that hit me. That hit me really hard, because what he was saying to me was all I want you to do is trust and believe in me with all your heart. In return, I'll give you eternal life. He didn't say, darrell, I want you to get on an airplane and fly halfway around the world. He wasn't saying I want you to start a televangelist program. He wasn't saying I want you to bring 10,000 people to me. He was just saying trust and believe in me with all your heart and I will give you eternal life. So that was, that was an eye opener for me. It changed my life.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 16:55

It was when Jesus really reached down and grabbed me by the back of the neck and said I need you to do something. A few months later again, oh, dark 30, I'm walking along and here come this voice. Only this time, I have to say, this time it wasn't that sweet and kind and loving voice like it always been. He just said one thing to me. He said now go tell them who I am. Now go tell them who I am, and I'm going to tell who go where. What am I supposed to do? I don't know what to do. And he was gone. And it was just that simple. And with that, though, I tell you it really shook me, because it changed my life completely. I ended up, in the end, selling off almost everything I had. I became a missionary, and my daughter and I took a trip to Kenya several times, actually several times. We did a lot of work there helping the people out. We did a lot of work there helping the people out, and I remember when I was up preaching in the churches over there and I would start to tell people about Jesus, and I have a feeling that that was really what he was telling me to go do, and that's what I ended up doing Today here on this radio program.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 18:33

I challenge you. I challenge you to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, not just simply a church-going person who shows up now and then, especially on Easter and Christmas. Will you be a disciple? Will you join me? If so, your life will never be the same. We're going to say a prayer and Jesus is talking to me, that there's people that is listening to this, that he's wanting me to get a message across to, and that message is that you need to come and accept Jesus as your Savior. So, if you would, let's just close our eyes and let's say the sinner's prayer and if you are not a Christian, just repeat these words after me. And if you are a Christian but you're not a disciple of Jesus, it's time for you to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. That's why you're here. That's why he commanded for you to do not just come to church every once in a while and stay for 40 minutes and then go to Burger King. Your job is to come and to be a disciple of Jesus. So close your eyes and we're going to say a quick prayer, and if you're not a Christian, just repeat after me. And guess what? You will be one.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 20:12

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner. I asked for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and my life. I want to trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. I want to be your disciple and will follow your commandments in your name, Jesus, Amen. So if you said that prayer, you've now asked Jesus to let you come into the heavenly family. You've asked Jesus to forgive you for your sins.

Evangelist Darrell Richardson: 20:57

Please get in touch with us. You can get in touch with me through the radio station. Here my address and stuff will be online. You can find me on Facebook. Reach out to us. There's prayer request lines with the radio station and with the blog. So you've got all kinds of ways to get to us. Contact me and I will pray with you and talk with you. So thank you very much. It's been a tremendous opportunity to be here, and we want to thank the radio station for having me. And thank you very much. Good night, bye you.