Episode 280 - Thinking Beyond the Great Commission with Jordan Raynor
Jan 30, 2024
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Entrepreneur and advocate for the intrinsic value of work, Jordan Raynor challenges the belief that work matters for eternity only if used for evangelism. He emphasizes the importance of creating culture that honors and glorifies God, and explores the concept of the unabridged gospel. Raynor encourages Faith Driven Entrepreneurs to be intentional, sacrificial, and focused on eternal rewards. The podcast discusses the lasting impact of entrepreneurial businesses, embracing the role of evangelists in a post-Christian era, and seeking the welfare of the city. It also explores the radical recreation of earth inspired by Scripture and invites listeners to join the Faith Driven Entrepreneur community.
Secular work has intrinsic value to God and brings joy to Him, not only when it leads to evangelism.
Embracing the first commission to create culture that honors and glorifies God is equally vital as the Great Commission.
Deep dives
The Importance of Making Secular Work Matter
In this podcast episode, Jordan Rayner challenges the common belief that secular work is only valuable if it is used as a means to evangelize. He argues that if our work only matters for eternity when used for evangelism, then the majority of our time is wasted. Instead, he emphasizes the sacredness of secular work and its eternal impact. By tracing back to the first commission in Genesis, he shows how our work in creating culture can honor and glorify God. Rayner encourages faith-driven entrepreneurs to see their work as significant, not just when it leads to evangelism, but as an end in itself that brings joy to God.
The Misconception of the Great Commission
Rayner challenges the idea that the Great Commission is the singular mission of the Christian life. He argues that this misconception is rooted in a modern, incomplete understanding of the Gospel. By elevating the Great Commission as the only commission, he believes that Christians miss out on the full scope of their calling. Rayner stresses the importance of embracing the first commission, the command to be fruitful and create culture that benefits and glorifies God. He highlights the dangers of neglecting the broader impact and value of secular work.
Embracing the Unabridged Gospel and Eternal Rewards
Rayner presents the idea of the unabridged gospel, which extends beyond salvation from sin to the redemption of all things. He highlights the need to move beyond an abridged view of the gospel that solely emphasizes personal salvation. Rayner introduces the concept of eternal rewards and argues that pursuing them is not selfish but aligns with Jesus' commands. He asserts that these rewards motivate Christians to sacrifice in the present for the sake of future blessings. Rayner encourages believers to focus not just on their bucket lists but on the anti-bucket list, intentionally sacrificing in the present to accumulate eternal rewards on the new earth.
In this conversation, Jordan Raynor challenges the belief that the only way our work matters for eternity is if we use it to share the gospel, arguing that our work has intrinsic value to God.
He’ll build upon half truths to make them whole by tracing the story back to what he calls “the first commission:” the command to be ambassadors for God on this earth, creating culture in ways that honor and glorify him now and for all eternity.
Entrepreneur, this is your calling. To create and innovate for God’s kingdom under his power and for his glory.
Jordan also explores the concept of the unabridged gospel, emphasizing that Jesus came to redeem all things, not just our souls. He’ll encourage Faith Driven Entrepreneurs to be intentional and sacrificial in their work, and to focus on eternal rewards rather than temporary achievements.