Commissioned to Disciple: God's Eternal Plan Unfolded

 

Summary

In Matthew 28, Jesus commissions His disciples with a profound mandate: to make disciples of all nations. This commission is not a new concept but a continuation of God's eternal plan to have a people for Himself who will glorify Him. From the beginning, God created the world for His glory and for us to exist as His people. This divine purpose is evident throughout Scripture, from Genesis to the Psalms, and into the New Testament. God's concern for the nations is woven into the fabric of the Bible, demonstrating His desire for His name to be known and praised among all peoples.

The Great Commission is both grand and ordinary. While it is monumental in its scope, it is also a call to live out our faith in everyday life. Making disciples is not just about evangelism; it involves teaching, nurturing, and guiding others to observe all that Christ has commanded. This process requires us to engage in the messy, challenging work of building relationships, sharing burdens, and growing together in faith. It is a call to be faithful stewards of the gospel, to guard the truths of our faith, and to pass them on to future generations.

As we go about making disciples, we must remember that we are not called to make disciples of ourselves or our cultures but of Jesus Christ. This means pointing others to Him, teaching them to imitate Christ, and ensuring that our efforts are rooted in the local church, where the ordinary means of grace—Word, prayer, and sacraments—are present. The promise of Jesus' presence with us to the end of the age assures us that we are not alone in this mission. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to persevere and to shine the light of Christ in a world that often opposes the truth.

Key Takeaways:

- God's eternal plan has always been to have a people for Himself from every nation, tribe, and tongue. This is evident throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, where God's concern for the nations is consistently highlighted. Our mission is to participate in this divine plan by making disciples who glorify God. [03:02]

- The Great Commission is both grand and ordinary. While it is a monumental task, it is also a call to live out our faith in everyday life, making disciples as we go about our daily activities. This involves engaging in the challenging work of building relationships and sharing burdens. [19:33]

- Making disciples is not just about evangelism; it involves teaching others to observe all that Christ has commanded. This requires us to be faithful stewards of the gospel, guarding the truths of our faith, and passing them on to future generations. [27:01]

- We are not called to make disciples of ourselves or our cultures but of Jesus Christ. This means pointing others to Him and teaching them to imitate Christ. Our efforts should be rooted in the local church, where the ordinary means of grace are present. [25:33]

- Jesus promises His presence with us to the end of the age, assuring us that we are not alone in this mission. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to persevere, shine the light of Christ, and contend for the faith in a world that often opposes the truth. [36:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - The Great Commission
- [00:52] - Prayer for Understanding
- [02:07] - God's Eternal Plan
- [03:02] - Creation for God's Glory
- [04:37] - God's Concern for the Nations
- [06:10] - God's Promise to Abraham
- [08:10] - God's Name Known Among Nations
- [10:50] - Prophets and the Nations
- [13:08] - Jesus Cleanses the Temple
- [15:56] - Reversal of Babel
- [18:03] - Understanding the Great Commission
- [19:33] - The Ordinary Call to Discipleship
- [25:33] - Making Disciples of Christ
- [27:01] - Teaching and Guarding the Faith
- [36:38] - Jesus' Promise and Our Mission
- [40:44] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:18-20
2. Genesis 12:1-3
3. Acts 1:8

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus command His disciples to do in Matthew 28:18-20, and what assurance does He give them? [00:14]

2. How does Genesis 12:1-3 illustrate God's concern for the nations, and what promise does God make to Abram?

3. In Acts 1:8, what role does Jesus say His disciples will have, and how does this relate to the Great Commission?

4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Great Commission being both "grand and ordinary"? [19:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the promise of Jesus' presence in Matthew 28:20 impact the way believers approach the task of making disciples? [36:38]

2. What does it mean to make disciples of Jesus Christ rather than of ourselves or our cultures, as discussed in the sermon? [25:33]

3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between evangelism and disciple-making? Why is it important to distinguish between the two? [27:01]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the local church in fulfilling the Great Commission? [28:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily life. How can you incorporate disciple-making into your everyday activities, as suggested in the sermon? [19:33]

2. Identify one person in your life who you can begin to disciple. What steps can you take to start this relationship, focusing on pointing them to Jesus rather than yourself? [25:33]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of teaching others to observe all that Christ has commanded. What is one command of Christ that you find challenging to observe, and how can you work on this in the coming week? [32:01]

4. Consider the role of the local church in your life. How can you become more involved in your church's mission to make disciples? [28:12]

5. The sermon mentions the importance of guarding the truths of our faith. What is one truth of the faith that you feel called to guard and pass on to future generations? [35:08]

6. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit to empower you in your mission to make disciples, especially when facing opposition or challenges? [37:15]

7. Think about a time when you felt alone in your mission to share the gospel. How does the promise of Jesus' presence encourage you to persevere in these moments? [36:38]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Eternal Plan for All Nations
God's eternal plan has always been to gather a people for Himself from every nation, tribe, and tongue. This divine purpose is evident throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, where God's concern for the nations is consistently highlighted. The Great Commission is a call to participate in this divine plan by making disciples who glorify God. As believers, we are invited to join in this mission, recognizing that God's heart beats for the nations and that our role is to reflect His love and glory to the world. [03:02]

"For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts." (Malachi 1:11, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally reflect God's heart for the nations in your daily interactions and prayers today?


Day 2: The Ordinary Call to Discipleship
The Great Commission is both grand and ordinary. While it is a monumental task, it is also a call to live out our faith in everyday life, making disciples as we go about our daily activities. This involves engaging in the challenging work of building relationships and sharing burdens. Discipleship is not confined to formal settings but is woven into the fabric of our daily lives, where we are called to be faithful witnesses of Christ's love and truth. [19:33]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your daily life can you encourage and support in their faith journey today, and how can you do so in a practical way?


Day 3: Teaching and Guarding the Faith
Making disciples is not just about evangelism; it involves teaching others to observe all that Christ has commanded. This requires us to be faithful stewards of the gospel, guarding the truths of our faith, and passing them on to future generations. As we teach and nurture others, we are called to uphold the integrity of the gospel message and ensure that it is faithfully transmitted to those who come after us. [27:01]

"Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your understanding of the gospel and share it with someone in your life?


Day 4: Making Disciples of Christ, Not Ourselves
We are not called to make disciples of ourselves or our cultures but of Jesus Christ. This means pointing others to Him and teaching them to imitate Christ. Our efforts should be rooted in the local church, where the ordinary means of grace are present. By focusing on Christ, we ensure that our discipleship efforts are aligned with His teachings and that we are leading others to a genuine relationship with Him. [25:33]

"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your influence on others points them to Christ rather than to yourself or your personal preferences?


Day 5: Empowered by Jesus' Promise
Jesus promises His presence with us to the end of the age, assuring us that we are not alone in this mission. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to persevere, shine the light of Christ, and contend for the faith in a world that often opposes the truth. This promise gives us the courage and strength to continue in our mission, knowing that we are supported by the presence and power of Christ Himself. [36:38]

"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of Christ's presence empower you to face challenges in your mission to make disciples today?

Quotes


The Great Commission is both grand and ordinary. While it is monumental in its scope, it is also a call to live out our faith in everyday life. Making disciples is not just about evangelism; it involves teaching, nurturing, and guiding others to observe all that Christ has commanded. [00:19:33]

God's eternal plan has always been to have a people for Himself from every nation, tribe, and tongue. This is evident throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, where God's concern for the nations is consistently highlighted. Our mission is to participate in this divine plan by making disciples who glorify God. [00:03:02]

We are not called to make disciples of ourselves or our cultures but of Jesus Christ. This means pointing others to Him and teaching them to imitate Christ. Our efforts should be rooted in the local church, where the ordinary means of grace are present. [00:25:33]

Jesus promises His presence with us to the end of the age, assuring us that we are not alone in this mission. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to persevere, shine the light of Christ, and contend for the faith in a world that often opposes the truth. [00:36:38]

Making disciples is not just about evangelism; it involves teaching others to observe all that Christ has commanded. This requires us to be faithful stewards of the gospel, guarding the truths of our faith, and passing them on to future generations. [00:27:01]

The promise of Jesus' presence with us to the end of the age assures us that we are not alone in this mission. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to persevere and to shine the light of Christ in a world that often opposes the truth. [00:36:38]

God created the world for His glory and for us to exist as His people. This divine purpose is evident throughout Scripture, from Genesis to the Psalms, and into the New Testament. God's concern for the nations is woven into the fabric of the Bible, demonstrating His desire for His name to be known and praised among all peoples. [00:03:02]

As we go about making disciples, we must remember that we are not called to make disciples of ourselves or our cultures but of Jesus Christ. This means pointing others to Him, teaching them to imitate Christ, and ensuring that our efforts are rooted in the local church. [00:25:33]

The Great Commission is both grand and ordinary. While it is monumental in its scope, it is also a call to live out our faith in everyday life. Making disciples is not just about evangelism; it involves teaching, nurturing, and guiding others to observe all that Christ has commanded. [00:19:33]

God's eternal plan has always been to have a people for Himself from every nation, tribe, and tongue. This is evident throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, where God's concern for the nations is consistently highlighted. Our mission is to participate in this divine plan by making disciples who glorify God. [00:03:02]

We are not called to make disciples of ourselves or our cultures but of Jesus Christ. This means pointing others to Him and teaching them to imitate Christ. Our efforts should be rooted in the local church, where the ordinary means of grace are present. [00:25:33]

Jesus promises His presence with us to the end of the age, assuring us that we are not alone in this mission. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to persevere, shine the light of Christ, and contend for the faith in a world that often opposes the truth. [00:36:38]

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Transcript
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