The Command - The Great Commission

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
 
The great commission is a command given to the church and presents the greatest cause any person can be a part of. As the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ we are to give our fullest attention to the final instruction to the church. Think about it, we are by-products of the great commission. God uses His people to help fulfill His purpose. What a privilege.
 

1.    The Mandate = Go
 “Go ye therefore…”
 
The great commission is a command not an option. We are to go in the power of God’s might.
 
Oswald J. Smith once said “The church that does not evangelize will fossilize.” 


2.    The Message = Gospel
 “…and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
 
Baptism is a picture of the Gospel –Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. The message we are to teach others is that which points them to Christ and Him crucified.
 

3.    The Model = Generate Disciples
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:”

Discipleship is a big part of the great commission. Once a person is saved, we are to nurture them in the Word of God and help them grow in obedience to the Lord in all things. Making disciples is how a church is started.

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4.    The Mission = Globe
 “…and teach all nations

Worldwide missions is the focus of the Church. It is a great responsibility, but not impossible. God enables His people to reach others; He will provide them with power, and protection. “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Hudson Taylor once said “Many Christians estimate difficulty in the light of their own resources, and thus they attempt very little and they always fail. All giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power and presence to be with them."He goes on to say"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies."


5.    The Motivation = God’s Love
 Matthew 28:16-17 “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.”

We can either doubt God’s ways, or we can love God and worship Him by doing that which pleases Him for His Glory!