Embracing the Great Commission: A Call to Discipleship
Summary
Christianity is fundamentally a missionary faith, emphasizing the responsibility of every believer to be a missionary in their own right. This message is rooted in the understanding that the faith is not merely about attending church services but about actively participating in the Great Commission – to go forth, make disciples, baptize, and teach obedience to Christ's teachings. This commission is underpinned by the authority that Jesus Christ has over heaven and earth, which He delegates to His followers. The promise that accompanies this commission is the assurance of Jesus's presence with believers until the end of time.
The message further elaborates on the importance of discipleship within the Christian faith. Discipleship is not about merely increasing church attendance but about fostering a deeper relationship where individuals learn and grow in their faith, akin to an apprenticeship. This process of discipleship is crucial for the church's growth from mere addition to multiplication. It is highlighted that the church in the West often deviates from this biblical pattern, focusing on drawing people in rather than sending them out. However, the biblical model is one of a 'going' people, tasked with spreading the Gospel both in their immediate communities and across the globe.
The narrative also includes personal stories and testimonies from various missions and outreach efforts. These stories illustrate the transformative power of the Gospel in different contexts, from a village in Mexico to remote areas in Africa. In Mexico, a church building project not only provides a physical space for worship but also serves as a catalyst for long-term growth and community impact. In Africa, the outreach involves starting from scratch in predominantly Muslim areas, where many have never heard of Jesus. The accounts from Africa include powerful moments of healing, deliverance, and conversion, showcasing the authority of Jesus Christ in action.
The message also touches on the importance of the right leadership in missions work. The success of planting churches and spreading the Gospel is heavily dependent on the local leaders who continue the work after the mission teams have left. The narrative shares the story of a man in Uganda who, after being rescued from a life as a child soldier, found faith in Christ and now leads construction projects for new church buildings.
The message concludes with a call to action for the congregation to continue supporting missions through prayer, giving, and participation. It emphasizes that every act of service, whether in one's job or in the community, is part of the larger ministry assignment from God.
Key Takeaways:
- The Great Commission is not just a directive for a select few but a mandate for all who follow Christ. It is a call to action that extends beyond the walls of the church and into the world, requiring active participation in sharing the Gospel and making disciples. This missionary aspect of the faith is not optional but integral to the identity of a Christian. [57:31]
- Discipleship is a relational process that involves more than just imparting knowledge; it is about walking alongside others in their spiritual journey. The church's growth is significantly enhanced when each member takes on the role of discipling another, moving from mere addition to multiplication in spreading the faith. [55:46]
- The authority of Jesus Christ over all things is the foundation upon which believers operate in their mission. This authority is not just historical or theoretical but is actively experienced in missions work, as seen in stories of healing, deliverance, and transformation. [53:42]
- Missions work is deeply connected to the concept of spiritual family. When believers engage in missions, they are not just performing tasks but are joining with brothers and sisters in Christ from around the world, sharing in their joys and sufferings. This sense of unity transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. [01:21:00]
- The effectiveness of missions is often contingent upon the quality of leadership on the ground. Investing in the right leaders who are capable of shepherding new believers and growing the church is crucial for the sustained impact of missionary endeavors. [01:13:04]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
> "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
2. Acts 1:8 (NIV)
> "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
3. Proverbs 28:27 (NIV)
> "Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses."
#### Observation Questions
1. What command does Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20?
2. According to Acts 1:8, what will the disciples receive, and what will they become as a result?
3. What promise is given in Proverbs 28:27 to those who give to the poor?
4. In the sermon, what were some of the personal stories shared that illustrated the transformative power of the Gospel? ([48:43])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the authority of Jesus significant in the context of the Great Commission? How does this authority empower believers? ([52:59])
2. How does the concept of discipleship as described in the sermon differ from merely increasing church attendance? ([55:46])
3. What role does local leadership play in the success of missions work, according to the sermon? ([01:13:04])
4. How does the promise of Jesus's presence in Matthew 28:20 provide comfort and encouragement for believers engaged in missions?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the Great Commission. How can you actively participate in making disciples in your immediate community? ([55:02])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of relational discipleship. Identify one person in your life whom you can mentor or disciple. What steps will you take to start this process? ([55:46])
3. Considering the authority of Jesus over all things, how can you exercise this authority in your daily life, especially in challenging situations? ([53:42])
4. Missions work often involves stepping out of one's comfort zone. What is one specific way you can support missions, either locally or globally, through prayer, giving, or participation? ([01:00:04])
5. The sermon shared stories of healing and deliverance during missions. Have you experienced or witnessed a moment where you saw the power of Jesus at work? How did it impact your faith? ([01:20:25])
6. How can you cultivate a mindset of being a "going" person rather than a "coming" person in your faith journey? What practical steps can you take this week to share the Gospel with someone? ([55:02])
7. Reflect on the importance of giving to the poor as mentioned in Proverbs 28:27. What is one tangible way you can help those in need in your community this month? ([48:43])
Devotional
Day 1: Commissioned to Share the Gospel
Christianity calls every believer to actively share the Gospel, not just to attend church. This mission is a direct command from Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, and it is a fundamental aspect of the Christian identity. Believers are empowered to make disciples, baptize, and teach, with the promise of Jesus's presence with them always. [57:31]
Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Reflection: How can you be a missionary in your everyday life, and who is one person you can start sharing the Gospel with this week?
Day 2: The Relational Heart of Discipleship
Discipleship is about forming deep, relational connections that foster spiritual growth, not just increasing church attendance. It involves walking alongside others, guiding them to learn and grow in their faith, much like an apprenticeship. This relational process is key to the church's growth, shifting from simple addition to multiplication. [55:46]
1 Thessalonians 2:8 - "Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
Reflection: Who has been a significant spiritual mentor in your life, and how can you emulate that relationship for someone else?
Day 3: Experiencing Christ's Authority in Mission
The authority of Jesus Christ is the foundation for Christian mission work, and it is actively experienced through stories of healing, deliverance, and transformation. This authority is not theoretical but is demonstrated in the real-world impact of the Gospel across diverse cultures and situations. [53:42]
Acts 4:29-30 - "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
Reflection: In what ways have you witnessed or experienced the authority of Jesus in your life or in the lives of others?
Day 4: Building a Global Spiritual Family
Missions work extends beyond tasks; it is about joining a global spiritual family. Believers share in the joys and sufferings of their brothers and sisters in Christ, creating unity that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. This sense of family is a powerful aspect of missions. [01:21:00]
Ephesians 2:19-20 - "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of spiritual family with believers from different cultures or backgrounds?
Day 5: Leadership's Role in Sustaining Missions
The success and sustainability of missions are heavily reliant on the quality of local leadership. Effective leaders are essential for shepherding new believers and ensuring the continued growth and impact of the church after mission teams have departed. [01:13:04]
2 Timothy 2:2 - "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."
Reflection: What qualities do you think are important in a spiritual leader, and how can you support or develop these qualities in leaders within your community?
Quotes
1) "Christianity in the church is not a come mentality, it's a going mentality. He says on the basis of my authority go and make disciples, share Christ with people, don't just simply make Church participants." [55:02] (Download)
2) "What would the church look like if all of us were discipling someone? That's how you move from addition to multiplication." [55:46] (Download)
3) "Jesus said go and he said make disciples; his authority compels us to go. That's the biblical pattern, but unfortunately in Western Christianity so much has shifted." [56:51] (Download)
4) "Christianity is a missionary faith. With Christ's ability, he says we're to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and to teach them to obey everything I have commanded you." [57:31] (Download)
5) "We are to be going people. We're to take the gospel to our community... God has given you this week a ministry assignment that you take the gospel, you pray for the sick, you share Christ, you encourage people." [58:54] (Download)
6) "Please understand that everything Jesus has authority over, you have authority over in Christ." [54:21] (Download)
7) "The unity and diversity that comes through Christ was very evident on a job site... it was just an example of the unity that comes through Christ." [01:29:56] (Download)
8) "One of the things that I love is you travel, you don't understand what they're singing, you sense the presence of God... these are our brothers and sisters in Christ in other nations and it's part of our spiritual family." [01:21:00] (Download)
9) "The leader is so critical because we had the opportunity to go to kaboko and you'll see our team... you're starting with nothing and it's awesome to be able to see with your own eyes." [01:13:44] (Download)
10) "It's not what we're signed up for today, amen. All right, let's just pray and bless the offering. Father, I thank you for this body that's here today, Lord. I thank you for what you're doing in our midst." [49:15] (Download)
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