THE GREAT COMMISSION

TODAY’S PASSAGE: 

Matthew 28:18-20 NLT – 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

• Just before His command to make disciples of all nations, Jesus reminded His followers of this important fact: All authority in heaven and on earth belonged to Him.
• He wasn’t speaking of a limited or partial authority. His authority is absolute and universal.
• Knowing that all authority belongs to Jesus should reassure us. In a world marked by uncertainty and change, we can find stability and confidence knowing that He is ultimately in control.
• It’s also important to note that this authority was “given” to Him. Just as God the Father gave His Son, Jesus, all authority, Jesus now gives us all the authority we need to accomplish the mission at hand – making disciples.

• A person’s final words on the earth are always significant, but none have proven more lasting and powerful than the final words of Jesus Christ.
• His final command to “go and make disciples” split the history books in two and turned the world upside down. Today, more than 2 billion of the world’s population call themselves “Christian.”
• The call to “Go” is an invitation to imitate Christ who came – to leave behind our comfort zones and engage with a world that is in desperate need. It is a command to show them a love that is not willing to sit back and send love letters alone, but rather one that gets up and destroys all barriers of separation so that love can be felt and experienced.
• The instruction to baptize is both practical and spiritual. Practical in that it allows for each new believer to identify themselves as an adopted member of the Family. Spiritual in that it makes way for them to leave behind the old way of living and embrace a new life in Christ.

Romans 6:4 NLT For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

• Teaching is a fundamental requirement in the discipleship process.
• DEFINITION – Teach (didaskō): to show or explain how to do something; to impart knowledge or skill, give instruction, the Greek word used here has the connotation of a teaching through interactive conversations
• It’s not just about making converts, but disciples. Converts can be made in a moment but disciples must be taught over time. Making a disciple requires multiple conversations.
• The ultimate goal of all our teaching is that these new disciples would learn to walk in obedience to Jesus, living out His teachings in practical and observable ways.
• Jesus concludes His command with a profound promise. He assures us that He will always be with us.
• He never asks us to do anything that He won’t empower us to do. He is going with us on this mission, that’s why we call it a “Commission.”
• Jesus is the One who empowers, guides, and sustains us in our journey of disciple-making.