Embracing the Great Commission: Active Discipleship for All

Devotional

Day 1: Living Out Christ's Commands

Jesus calls us not just to hear His words but to live them out. This active obedience leads to a blessed life as defined by Jesus. The one who created life knows best how to live it, and following His commands leads to life in its fullest. Jesus emphasizes the importance of not just hearing His words but actively living them out. This is the path to a blessed life, as defined by Jesus. The one who created life knows best how to live it, and following His commands leads to life in its fullest. [44:34]

James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: Think of one specific command of Jesus that you have heard but not yet acted upon. What steps can you take today to begin living out that command in your daily life?

Day 2: The Authority of Jesus

Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, rooted in His death, burial, and resurrection. This authority means that our past sins and shame have no hold over us. The enemy's lies cannot disqualify us from participating in the Great Commission. Jesus' authority is rooted in His victory over sin, death, and hell. Our past sins and shame have no authority over us; only Jesus does. The enemy's lies cannot disqualify us from this mission. [53:52]

Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."

Reflection: Reflect on a lie from the enemy that has been holding you back. How does the authority of Jesus, as described in Colossians 2:13-15, empower you to overcome this lie today?

Day 3: The Great Commission

The command to make disciples of all nations is for the entire church. This mission may seem daunting, but we are not alone. Jesus promises to be with us always, empowering us through the Holy Spirit. The Great Commission is a call for every believer to participate in making disciples. Jesus' promise to be with us always provides the assurance and strength we need to fulfill this mission. [52:49]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you begin to share the love and message of Christ with them this week, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit?

Day 4: Practical Steps to Participate

We can participate in the Great Commission by praying earnestly for laborers, giving generously to support missions, and going out to make disciples. Whether it's across the world or in our local communities, we are all called to participate. Practical steps include praying for more workers, supporting missions financially, and actively making disciples in our daily lives. [01:08:38]

Romans 10:14-15 (ESV): "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"

Reflection: Consider your current involvement in the Great Commission. What is one practical step you can take this week to either pray, give, or go in support of making disciples?

Day 5: Experiencing God's Presence

As we step out in obedience to the Great Commission, we will experience the promised presence of God. The Holy Spirit empowers us, and Jesus is faithful to His promises. Obedience to the Great Commission brings us into a deeper experience of God's presence. The Holy Spirit empowers us, and Jesus' faithfulness assures us of His constant presence. [01:20:17]

John 14:16-17 (ESV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent step of obedience you have taken in your faith. How did you experience God's presence in that moment, and how can you seek to experience His presence more fully in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church family. Today, we continue our series on the commands of Christ, focusing on the Great Commission. At the end of Matthew 7, Jesus emphasizes the importance of not just hearing His words but actively living them out. This is the path to a blessed life, as defined by Jesus. The one who created life knows best how to live it, and following His commands leads to life in its fullest.

In previous weeks, we discussed repentance, belief, and baptism. Today, we delve into the command to "go and make disciples of all nations." This command is not just for a select few but for the entire church. Revelation 7:9 gives us a glimpse of the future where people from every nation, tribe, and tongue will worship before the throne of God. This vision should ignite a passion in us to participate in the Great Commission.

Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, and He commands us to make disciples. This authority is rooted in His death, burial, and resurrection, which defeated sin, death, and hell. Our past sins and shame have no authority over us; only Jesus does. The enemy's lies cannot disqualify us from this mission.

The Great Commission may seem daunting, but we are not alone. Jesus promises to be with us always. We must pray earnestly for laborers, give generously to support missions, and go out to make disciples. Whether it's across the world or in our local communities, we are all called to participate.

Parents, raise your children with a focus on God's glory. Adults, look for opportunities to share the gospel in your daily lives. Everyone, consider who you can call to greater spiritual maturity. Discipleship is not just about sharing the gospel but teaching others to observe all that Jesus has commanded.

As we step out in obedience, we will experience the promised presence of God. The Holy Spirit empowers us, and Jesus is faithful to His promises. Let's kneel before King Jesus, repent where needed, and commit to participating in the Great Commission. Jesus has all authority, so go and make disciples of all nations, experiencing His promised presence with you.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Active Obedience to Christ's Commands: Jesus calls us not just to hear His words but to live them out. This active obedience leads to a blessed life as defined by Jesus. The one who created life knows best how to live it, and following His commands leads to life in its fullest. [44:34]
2. The Authority of Jesus: Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, rooted in His death, burial, and resurrection. This authority means that our past sins and shame have no hold over us. The enemy's lies cannot disqualify us from participating in the Great Commission. [53:52]
3. The Great Commission: The command to make disciples of all nations is for the entire church. This mission may seem daunting, but we are not alone. Jesus promises to be with us always, empowering us through the Holy Spirit. [52:49]
4. Practical Steps to Participate: We can participate in the Great Commission by praying earnestly for laborers, giving generously to support missions, and going out to make disciples. Whether it's across the world or in our local communities, we are all called to participate. [68:38]
5. Experiencing God's Presence: As we step out in obedience to the Great Commission, we will experience the promised presence of God. The Holy Spirit empowers us, and Jesus is faithful to His promises. Let's commit to participating in the Great Commission and experience His presence with us. [01:20:17]
### [80:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[43:58] - Introduction and Excitement for the Series
[44:34] - Active Obedience to Christ's Commands
[45:07] - Life to the Fullest
[45:37] - Repentance, Belief, and Baptism
[46:08] - The Command to Go and Make Disciples
[47:12] - Revelation 7:9 Vision
[48:46] - The Harvest is Plentiful
[49:19] - Assurance in the Great Commission
[50:30] - Struggles in Obedience
[52:11] - Prayer for Empowerment
[52:49] - Matthew 28:18-20 Breakdown
[53:52] - The Authority of Jesus
[56:13] - Jesus' Authority Over All
[57:51] - The Gospel of Jesus Christ
[59:01] - Overcoming the Enemy's Lies
[61:23] - Immediate Obedience to Jesus
[63:05] - The Command to Make Disciples
[68:38] - Practical Steps to Participate
[77:03] - Calling Others to Greater Spiritual Maturity
[80:17] - Experiencing God's Presence
[83:31] - Invitation to Pray and Commit
[85:13] - Final Encouragement and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus declare about His authority in Matthew 28:18-20?
According to Revelation 7:9-10, who will be present before the throne of God in the future?
In Philippians 2:6-11, what actions did Jesus take that led to His exaltation by God?
How does the sermon describe the relationship between Jesus' authority and our mission to make disciples? ([53:52])

Interpretation Questions

Why is Jesus' declaration of having "all authority" significant for the Great Commission? ([53:52])
How does the vision in Revelation 7:9-10 inspire believers to participate in the Great Commission? ([47:12])
What does Philippians 2:6-11 teach us about the nature of Jesus' authority and how it was achieved?
How does understanding Jesus' authority help believers overcome fears and doubts about making disciples? ([59:01])

Application Questions

Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations. Who in your life can you start discipling, and what steps will you take this week to begin? ([01:13:38])
Reflect on the authority of Jesus over your past sins and shame. How can this truth empower you to share the gospel more boldly? ([59:01])
The sermon emphasized the importance of prayer in the Great Commission. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer for laborers and missions into your daily routine? ([01:08:38])
Consider the practical steps mentioned in the sermon: praying, giving, and going. Which of these steps can you commit to this month, and how will you follow through? ([01:08:38])
Parents are encouraged to raise their children with a focus on God's glory. What specific actions can you take to instill a passion for the Great Commission in your children? ([01:15:18])
The sermon mentioned the importance of calling others to greater spiritual maturity. Who in your life can you mentor or encourage in their faith journey, and how will you approach them? ([01:17:03])
Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence while stepping out in obedience. How can this memory encourage you to take new steps of faith in making disciples? ([01:20:17])

Sermon Clips

1. "It's not just about hearing the commands of Christ, but it's about actively walking out in faithful obedience to what Jesus has called us to, that we end up experiencing the life that Jesus defines as blessed. And I tell this to our students all the time, look, if there is one person who knows how to live life, it's the one who created it. If there is a person who created life, he knows the best way to live it." [44:34] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Believer, if this picture does not stir your hearts in affection for Jesus Christ and for those who have never heard the name of Jesus Christ before, then we need to fall on our knees before King Jesus and ask that the Holy Spirit would soften our hearts to see the world the way that Jesus sees it. God does not want anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance." [48:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are completely sure that one day every nation, every tribe, every tongue, every people will be standing before the throne and will be standing before the Lamb and they will be crying out with a loud voice that salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb. So we can be confident church as we go out and we go to make disciples because we know that it will happen." [49:54] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If Jesus has changed your life you want to share the gospel. That is a desire that you have. And if not, man, you need to get on your knees again and you need to pray that the Holy Spirit would soften your heart. Because that's what we're called to do. And I know that you want to." [51:37] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "There is only one who has all authority and his name is Jesus Christ and what he has declared over us is what is true and is what matters and through his word he has said that in Christ if you are a believer if you are in Christ Jesus then you are forgiven you are redeemed you are a new creation you are more than conquerors you are an ambassador sent on his mission in his authority with a message of reconciliation." [01:02:32] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "If we truly believe that Jesus has all authority that Jesus has authority over our lives that Jesus has authority over our sin that Jesus has authority over death that Jesus has authority over the enemy then why do we still like because some of us we might recognize that and yet we still struggle I'm guilty and so why I ask the question again why do we still struggle maybe to carry this command out." [01:04:46] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "You have to remember you're not the savior of the world that's Jesus King Jesus is the one who has been given the name above all names he is the one with all authority and he is the one that is going to be faithful to his church to carry out the command that he gave them this is the mission given to the church to carry out in the authority of Jesus." [01:06:58] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You don't go to school you are sent to school on a mission and church if you want to pray for our student ministry we're going to be going through this series on the missionary journeys of Paul and we're talking about what it looks like for our students to be nine month missionaries in their schools you know what does it look like to go into your school with a missionary mindset of I want to see every tribe every nation every tongue fall before the king of kings and the lord of lords." [01:15:18] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "As you begin to obey this command, you will experience the promised presence of God with you. And that's the third point, right? The promise. So as we step out in obedience to this command, you begin to experience the promise of I am with you always to the end of the age. Right? We know that Jesus has sent his Holy Spirit, it's the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead that is alive in you." [01:18:42] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "We can know the truth of that promise all we want to in our head. In fact, you've probably heard that promise a billion times. You probably have it memorized. I hope you do. You should be memorizing God's word. It's good for you. Hide it in your heart that you might not sin against him. But we can know it all we want. But we will not experience the truth of this promise until we step out in obedience and start making disciples." [01:20:17] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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