Embracing the Great Commission: Discipleship and Humility

 

Summary

In this session, we delve into the Great Commission, a pivotal directive from Jesus Christ that commands us to "go" and make disciples of all nations. This is not a suggestion or an option; it is a command rooted in the authority of Christ, who has dominion over heaven and earth. Our mission is to go forth not with our own authority but with the authority of God, as humble servants and stewards of His word. The essence of this command is not about gaining personal accolades or recognition but about pointing others to the glory of God and the beauty of His word.

The Great Commission calls us to make disciples, not merely converts. This involves a deep, ongoing process of teaching, training, and mentoring individuals in the ways of Christ. Discipleship is a commitment to walk alongside others, exemplifying the life of Christ and nurturing their growth in faith. It is a call to invest our lives, time, and resources into the spiritual development of others, ensuring that they not only understand doctrine but live it out in their daily lives.

Baptism is highlighted as an initiating rite, symbolizing entry into the covenant community of God's people. It is not a graduation but a beginning, marking the start of a journey of faith and discipleship. This journey is not limited to adults but includes children, who are to be nurtured and taught in the ways of the Lord, treated as part of the family of God.

Ultimately, fulfilling the Great Commission is about making disciples who are learners and followers of Christ, living out their faith in every aspect of life. It is a call to embody the teachings of Jesus, to love one another, and to bear fruit that reflects our union with Him. As we engage in this mission, we are reminded that it is God who saves and regenerates, and our role is to be faithful servants proclaiming His truth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Authority and Humility in Mission: We are called to go forth with the authority of Christ, not our own, as humble servants. Our mission is to proclaim God's word, pointing others to His glory, not seeking personal accolades. This humility is essential in fulfilling the Great Commission. [01:31]

2. The Essence of Discipleship: Making disciples goes beyond evangelism and conversion. It involves a deep commitment to teaching, training, and mentoring individuals in the ways of Christ, ensuring they live out their faith in daily life. [09:37]

3. Baptism as an Initiating Rite: Baptism marks the beginning of a journey of faith, symbolizing entry into the covenant community. It is an initiating rite, not a graduation, and signifies the start of discipleship for believers and their children. [19:30]

4. Inclusion of Children in Discipleship: Children are integral to the Great Commission. They are to be nurtured and taught in the ways of the Lord, treated as part of the family of God, and guided to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. [22:34]

5. Living Out the Great Commission: Fulfilling the Great Commission involves making disciples who embody the teachings of Jesus, love one another, and bear fruit that reflects their union with Him. It is a call to live out our faith in every aspect of life. [16:48]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - The Command of the Great Commission
- [00:50] - Authority of Christ
- [01:31] - Humility in Mission
- [02:48] - Proclaiming the Gospel
- [03:39] - Glory to God in Evangelism
- [05:07] - The Call to Go
- [06:01] - Reaching All Nations
- [07:16] - Making Disciples, Not Just Converts
- [09:37] - The Depth of Discipleship
- [11:10] - The Role of Mentoring
- [13:09] - Challenges in Discipleship
- [15:28] - Motivation for Worship and Study
- [17:41] - True Faith and Obedience
- [19:30] - Baptism as Initiation
- [22:34] - Discipling Children

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Great Commission

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:18-20
2. Acts 2:38-39
3. Ephesians 4:11-13

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Observation Questions:

1. What authority does Jesus claim in Matthew 28:18, and how does this authority relate to the command to "go" and make disciples? [01:04]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the word "go" in the Great Commission, and how is it properly translated? [04:57]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of baptism in the process of making disciples? [19:30]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the inclusion of children in the Great Commission? [22:34]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the authority of Christ, as mentioned in Matthew 28:18, empower believers to fulfill the Great Commission? [01:18]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that making disciples is different from merely evangelizing or making converts? [09:11]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between humility and authority in the context of fulfilling the Great Commission? [02:34]

4. What implications does the inclusion of children in the Great Commission have for how we approach family and church ministry? [22:34]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you might be relying on your own authority rather than Christ's authority when sharing the gospel? How can you shift your focus to His authority? [01:18]

2. Think of someone in your life who might benefit from discipleship. What steps can you take to begin a mentoring relationship with them, focusing on teaching and exemplifying the life of Christ? [09:37]

3. How can you incorporate the practice of humility into your daily interactions, especially when sharing your faith or serving in ministry? [02:34]

4. If you have children or work with children, how can you intentionally include them in the process of discipleship, ensuring they are nurtured in the faith? [22:34]

5. Consider your current involvement in church or community activities. How can you contribute to making disciples, not just converts, in these settings? [09:11]

6. Identify one specific way you can live out the teachings of Jesus in your daily life this week. How will you hold yourself accountable to this commitment? [16:48]

7. Reflect on your understanding of baptism. How does viewing it as an initiating rite rather than a graduation change your perspective on your own faith journey or the journey of others? [19:30]

Devotional

Day 1: Authority and Humility in Mission
We are called to go forth with the authority of Christ, not our own, as humble servants. Our mission is to proclaim God's word, pointing others to His glory, not seeking personal accolades. This humility is essential in fulfilling the Great Commission. The authority we carry is not of our own making but is granted by Christ, who has dominion over heaven and earth. As we engage in this mission, we must remember that our purpose is to reflect God's glory and not to seek personal recognition. This requires a posture of humility, acknowledging that we are mere vessels through which God's message is delivered. [01:31]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV): "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility today as you share God's word with others, ensuring that the focus remains on His glory rather than your own achievements?


Day 2: The Essence of Discipleship
Making disciples goes beyond evangelism and conversion. It involves a deep commitment to teaching, training, and mentoring individuals in the ways of Christ, ensuring they live out their faith in daily life. Discipleship is a lifelong journey that requires dedication and intentionality. It is not enough to simply introduce someone to the faith; we must walk alongside them, guiding and nurturing their spiritual growth. This process involves teaching them to apply biblical principles in their everyday lives, helping them to develop a personal relationship with Christ that is reflected in their actions and decisions. [09:37]

Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."

Reflection: Who in your life can you commit to mentoring in their faith journey, and what steps can you take this week to begin or deepen that relationship?


Day 3: Baptism as an Initiating Rite
Baptism marks the beginning of a journey of faith, symbolizing entry into the covenant community. It is an initiating rite, not a graduation, and signifies the start of discipleship for believers and their children. This sacrament is a public declaration of faith and a commitment to follow Christ. It represents a new beginning, where the individual is welcomed into the family of God and begins their journey of spiritual growth and discipleship. Baptism is a reminder that our faith journey is ongoing and that we are continually being shaped and molded by God's word and presence in our lives. [19:30]

Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism or the baptism of someone you know. How does this event continue to influence your daily walk with Christ, and how can you renew your commitment to live out your faith?


Day 4: Inclusion of Children in Discipleship
Children are integral to the Great Commission. They are to be nurtured and taught in the ways of the Lord, treated as part of the family of God, and guided to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. This involves creating an environment where children can learn about God's love and develop their own personal relationship with Him. It is important to invest time and resources into teaching children biblical truths and helping them understand how to apply these teachings in their lives. By doing so, we are equipping the next generation to carry on the mission of the Great Commission. [22:34]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: How can you actively involve the children in your life in learning about and experiencing God's love this week, and what specific steps can you take to nurture their spiritual growth?


Day 5: Living Out the Great Commission
Fulfilling the Great Commission involves making disciples who embody the teachings of Jesus, love one another, and bear fruit that reflects their union with Him. It is a call to live out our faith in every aspect of life. This means that our actions, words, and decisions should be a reflection of Christ's teachings. As we strive to live out the Great Commission, we are called to be examples of Christ's love and grace, demonstrating what it means to be a follower of Jesus in our everyday interactions. By doing so, we not only grow in our own faith but also inspire others to seek a relationship with Christ. [16:48]

John 15:8-9 (ESV): "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you can more fully embody the teachings of Jesus. What practical changes can you make today to ensure that your life reflects your faith in every aspect?

Quotes


With the Great Commission, we see that this is, in fact, a commission. It's a command. Christ is telling us to do something. It's not the great suggestion or the great option. It's not something that Christ puts to us that we can either decide to do or not do. [00:19:41]

We go not with our own authority. We don't have any authority in and of ourselves. As a pastor of a local church, and most of you are a part of the congregation at Saint Andrews Chapel, you know because we often say it, how we as pastors don't have any inherent or innate authority. [00:95:52]

Evangelism and missions and fulfilling the Great Commission is not about us getting applause and accolades and people thinking highly of us and, "Wow, what an amazing evangelist he is," or, "What an amazing missionary he or she is," but rather that they would see shining through us the glory of God. [00:189:20]

We are to go to all nations. We are to go to all peoples. We are to go to all people groups. We are to go to all languages. We are to go to unreached peoples, and we are to go to reached peoples. We are to go to the reached peoples and continue training, continue discipling. [00:323:68]

Notice what Jesus doesn't say. He doesn't say, "Go and evangelize." He doesn't say, "Go and make converts." He doesn't say, "Go in, blow up, and blow out with some big crusade and go back and report how many people heard and responded to the gospel." [00:448:80]

The Great Commission is fulfilled only when we are making disciples as the New Testament defines what a disciple is. Discipleship is hard, and it takes time. It's not easy. It means face-to-face, one-on-one training. It's not just teaching people things. It's not just telling people things. [00:570:24]

It's not just a Bible study. It's actually walking with people, coming alongside people, arm in arm and hand in hand, walking with them, pointing them to Christ, exemplifying the life of Christ even in our own lives, as Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ." [00:617:28]

We fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples through proclaiming, through teaching, through training, through discipleship, through mentoring, through older men coming alongside younger men and teaching them, through older women coming alongside younger women and teaching them and training them. [00:678:32]

Baptism is not a graduating rite. It's an initiating rite. The baptism is not something that comes when someone has arrived, but it's rather something that is given, something that is administered when someone comes in, when someone comes into the family of God, into the covenant community of God's people. [00:1190:48]

Children are not outside of this Great Commission. They are part and parcel of whom we are called to go and to serve as we serve families, as we serve men and women and children, teaching them so that they might be disciples of Jesus Christ. [00:1360:48]

We want the meat of the faith, but not only the meat in our heads, not only the doctrines of our heads, but that that doctrine in our heads would flow out into all of life as we absorb it in our hearts and as it exudes from our hands and our feet. [00:947:75]

If we really believe the Lord Jesus Christ, if we really know him, then we are going to want to follow him. We are going to bear fruit naturally because we are united to Jesus Christ. If we know the gospel, we'll walk worthy of the gospel. [00:1075:52]

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Transcript
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