The Great Commission

The Great Commission and What does it mean for Us?

In the original language, these words are a command. That’s why we all call this the Great Commission.   

I believe that to fail to do this actually could be a sin.  Jesus Christ gathered the 11. He told them what it says in (Matthew 28:18-20).

Jesus Christ says, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

(Matthew 26:19-20) We as disciples are introduced to “marching orders” that came from Jesus Christ Himself that we know as the Great Commission. Two of the great things we should remember are…...

First, these words are a command. It’s why it's called the Great Commission not some suggestion made. Jesus Christ didn’t say to the 11, “look if you are in the mood, not to busy, or is a personal favor to Me, or consider going into the world and making disciples?” NO. In the original language, this is a command.

“Matthew 28” We have Jesus' final will and testament, so to speak, which is known as the Great Commission. Jesus goes on to say, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I truly believe that to fail to perform the Great Commission could be a sin. “A sin?” you might say. Well maybe we should all do more, but it's not a sin if I don’t share the gospel.

“James 4:17” says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”It’s called the sin of omission, which is not doing what you are supposed to do.

These words were given to every follower of Jesus Christ. If we are His disciples, we are commanded to go and make disciples of others. If we are not making disciples of others, then we are not being the disciples God wants us to be.

For so many of us, the Great Commission has instead become the Great Omission. I ask you, “how are you doing with your part in fulfilling the Great Commission?” Are you going into all of your world? The commission is not to wait for the world to come to us; it’s to go into all of the world.

The Great Commission was not only given to the 11 disciples. Nor were they exclusive for pastors, evangelists, and missionaries or more priests, as they would have us believe such as from a religious aspect. They are for every follower of Jesus Christ. We are His disciples; we are commanded to go and make disciples of others. Doesn’t mean we need to cross oceans or such. A good start would be crossing the street to speak with your neighbor or driving across town to meet a friend for breakfast, lunch, or something.

-What does it mean to make disciples?

“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” Simply put, it means that demonstrate discipleship for them by the way that you live. Of course, you verbally communicate Gods word.

“I challenge you to “today” to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. - not just a fair-weather follower or simply a church going person. Would you be His disciple? If so, your life will never be the same.”

(vv.19-20) The Great Commission not only involves going out and preaching the gospel. It also includes making disciples of all nations.

Means that to the best of our abilities, we seek to lead people to Christ and help them grow spiritually. New believers will ask you questions about things you’ve forgotten. New believers will motivate us to study our Bibles as never before.

New believers, need us older believers to temper them, keep them strong, and help them develop a good strong foundation in their faith.

In the first - century the church understood this. The first church in the first - century was an evangelistic church. People watched these believers learning, caring, worshiping, and praying, it drew in. The Bible tells us that “each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)

They helped young Christians grow in their faith.

There was continual evangelism in the early church and there was no apology for it. This is the church that turned their world upside down.

(Mark 16:15) “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

(Acts 1:8) says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”

The Great Commission is biblical mandate in the book of Matthew and Mark in the New Testament where its notably mentioned is Matthew 28:16-20 and Mark 16:15-16. The Great Commission emphasizes the responsibility of believers to share the Gospel and make disciples of all nations of the world.

The Commission turned the world upside down in the first - century and is just as relevant today. Every day a new generation is born that needs to know the love of God.

“Make disciples” means to teach or train people to follow and obey Christ (‘God’).

Springing from the heart of God, the Great Commission calls Christ disciples to carry out the work God started by sending his Son into the world to die for lost sinners.

(“Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:19-23; and Acts1:8”)

Jesus Christ wants to return and put an end to this world of sin. But that cannot happen until the gospel goes to all the world. That’s why the Great Commission is so important.

                               - Some reasons why the Great Commission is extremely important:

* it’s a matter of obedience

*  it’s how God’s kingdom grows

* It fulfills Old Testament prophecy

* it’s an expression of loving compassion

* it’s a declaration of God’s heart

* It transforms lives and communities

* It continues Jesus' work.

In our world that we all live in today with countless distractions and competing priorities, it is easy to lose sight of our mission. The Gospel has never been more pressing then today. Romans 10:11 rings loudly: “How, then can they call on the one they have not believed? And can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” As believers, we are called to stand in the gap sharing the love of Christ with a world that is searching for hope and meaning.   

-Start with your community

-equip yourself with the word. Teach others, we must first know the Word of God. 2 Timothy2:15 reminds us to “study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.

Pray for opportunities - “Colossians 4:3”

Be bold in your faith - The Great Commission requires courage, 2 Timothy 1;7 tells us, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love and self - control.”

The Great Commission is our responsibility and privilege. Followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and his feet in this World. Whether through local outreach or international missions, we must carry out this call with boldness and love. Knowing that Christ is with us “always to the very end of the Ages.” (Mathew 28:20)