Embracing the Great Commission: Our Call to Action
Summary
The journey from Resurrection Sunday to Pentecost is a time of both reflection and action. In these 50 days, Jesus not only reassured His followers but also gave them their clear marching orders: the Great Commission. Standing on a familiar mountaintop, Jesus declared that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him, and with that authority, He commanded His followers to go, make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them to obey everything He had commanded. This is not a suggestion or an optional activity for the church; it is the very heartbeat and purpose of our existence as followers of Christ.
The church is not simply a place for social gatherings or community events. Our fundamental responsibility is not to the institution of the church itself, but to the mission Jesus has given us. When we take personal ownership of the Great Commission, our commitment to the church and to one another naturally follows. The call is not to build monuments or focus on buildings, but to engage our communities, share the gospel, and lead others into a life of discipleship.
This responsibility is deeply personal. Each believer is called to be ready to share the hope within them, to teach and explain God’s Word, and to live out the gospel in daily life. It is not enough to delegate this mission to pastors or church leaders; every follower of Jesus is charged to go. Partial obedience is still disobedience. The call to go, baptize, and teach is for all, regardless of background or education.
Baptism is the public beginning of this journey, a declaration of repentance and new life. But it does not end there. Devotion to the teachings of Christ, to fellowship, and to the life of the church is a natural outflow of genuine faith. Spiritual maturity comes as we invest in what is eternal, grow together, and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us for the mission.
We are not left to fulfill this calling in our own strength. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, who enables, convicts, and empowers us to be His witnesses—locally, regionally, and globally. The mission is ever-expanding, and we are called to go beyond our comfort zones, to every tribe, tongue, and nation. The Great Commission is not just the heartbeat of the universal church, but of our local church as well. The question is not whether we know the command, but whether we are living it out. The time is now to repent, be baptized, devote ourselves to Christ and His mission, and let the Holy Spirit work through us as we go and make disciples.
Key Takeaways
- The Great Commission is a personal mandate, not just a corporate one. Each believer is called to take ownership of Jesus’ command to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. Until this responsibility is embraced individually, our collective mission as a church will falter. [05:58]
- The church’s purpose is not found in its programs, buildings, or social activities, but in its obedience to Christ’s mission. When we prioritize comfort or tradition over the call to engage our community and make disciples, we miss the very reason for our existence as the body of Christ. [08:13]
- Obedience to Christ begins with repentance and baptism, but it must continue in a life devoted to His teachings and to the fellowship of believers. Spiritual maturity is not measured by knowledge alone, but by a willingness to submit, grow, and invest in what is eternal. [19:42]
- The Holy Spirit is not merely a helper but the enabler of our mission. We are empowered to be witnesses, not by our own strength or intellect, but by the Spirit who speaks, convicts, and works through us. Refusing to engage in the mission is, in effect, refusing the work of the Holy Spirit in and through our lives. [29:39]
- The scope of our calling is both local and global. We are sent to our neighbors, to those like us and unlike us, and to the ends of the earth. The Great Commission is the heartbeat of the church, and only as we collectively and personally embrace this calling will we see true spiritual vitality and growth. [33:20]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:54] - Review of Resurrection Appearances
[04:19] - The Church’s True Mission
[05:58] - Personal Responsibility in the Great Commission
[08:13] - Beyond Buildings: Engaging the Community
[09:51] - Readiness to Share and Teach the Gospel
[11:41] - Partial Obedience and the Call to Go
[12:41] - The Authority of Christ and the Imperative to Go
[15:01] - Prioritizing Jesus Above All
[17:20] - Baptism and Teaching: The Heart of Discipleship
[19:42] - Repentance, Baptism, and Devotion
[22:39] - Devotion to Christ and the Church
[25:39] - Growing to Maturity in Christ
[28:00] - The Power and Role of the Holy Spirit
[33:20] - The Ever-Expanding Mission
[35:24] - Don’t Just Stand There: Go
[36:50] - The Heartbeat of the Church
[38:38] - Responding to the Call
[39:36] - Practical Steps to Go and Make Disciples
[41:57] - Invitation and Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Great Commission—Our Personal and Collective Mission
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### Bible Reading
- Matthew 28:18-20
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.”
- Acts 1:8
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.
- Acts 2:37-42
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ...” They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 28:18-20, what specific instructions does Jesus give to His followers before He ascends?
2. In Acts 1:8, what does Jesus say will happen when the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples?
3. What was the response of the people in Acts 2:37-38 when they heard Peter’s message, and what did Peter tell them to do?
4. The sermon emphasized that the Great Commission is not just for pastors or leaders. What evidence from the passages or sermon supports this idea? [[11:41]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus begin the Great Commission by stating that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him? How does this affect the seriousness of His command? [[12:41]]
2. The sermon says, “Partial obedience is still disobedience.” What does this mean in the context of the Great Commission? [[11:41]]
3. According to Acts 2:42, what are the marks of a community that is living out the Great Commission? How do these practices help believers grow?
4. The sermon describes the Holy Spirit as the “enabler” of our mission. What does it look like to rely on the Holy Spirit rather than our own strength when sharing the gospel? [[29:39]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “Your responsibility is not first and foremost to the church. Your responsibility is first and foremost to the Lord Jesus Christ and the commission that He gave you to do.” How does this challenge the way you think about your involvement in church activities? Are there ways you have prioritized comfort or tradition over mission? [[05:58]]
2. The call to “go” is not optional. Is there a specific person, group, or place God might be calling you to reach out to? What is one step you can take this week to move out of your comfort zone and engage them? [[16:22]]
3. The sermon highlights that baptism is the public beginning of the journey, but devotion to Christ and His teachings must follow. If you have been baptized, how are you continuing to grow in obedience and spiritual maturity? If you haven’t, what is holding you back from taking that step? [[19:42]]
4. The message says, “When you refuse, what are you refusing? You are refusing the work of the Holy Spirit.” Are there areas where you have resisted the Spirit’s prompting to share your faith or serve others? What would it look like to say “yes” to the Holy Spirit this week? [[29:39]]
5. The Great Commission is both local and global. What are some practical ways you can be a witness in your “Jerusalem” (your immediate community) and beyond? [[33:20]]
6. The sermon challenges us to “repent, be baptized, devote ourselves to Christ and His mission, and let the Holy Spirit work through us.” Which of these steps do you feel God is asking you to focus on right now? How can the group support you in this? [[38:38]]
7. The pastor said, “Don’t just stand there. Go and let the Holy Spirit work through you.” What is one area of your life where you need to move from passivity to action in living out the Great Commission? [[37:50]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person take personal ownership of the Great Commission and to rely on the Holy Spirit for boldness and guidance.
Devotional
Day 1: The Great Commission—Our Personal Responsibility
Jesus commands every believer to take personal ownership of the Great Commission, not leaving the work of making disciples to others or to the church as an institution, but embracing it as an individual calling and responsibility. This mission is not about building monuments or simply attending church events, but about actively engaging people, sharing the gospel, and teaching others to follow Christ. Until each person recognizes and acts on this personal responsibility, the church’s mission will falter, and partial obedience to this command is still disobedience in God’s eyes. [05:58]
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: Who is one person in your life you can intentionally reach out to this week to begin a conversation about Jesus or invite into a journey of discipleship?
Day 2: Baptism and Obedience—The Beginning of Spiritual Growth
Baptism is the foundational step of obedience for every believer, symbolizing repentance, cleansing, and public identification with Jesus’ death and resurrection; it is not optional, but the starting point of a life devoted to Christ and His church. True discipleship begins with this act, followed by a commitment to learn, teach, and obey all that Jesus commanded, recognizing that partial obedience is still disobedience. If you have not yet taken this step, or if you are not living out the teachings of Christ, today is the day to make it right and move forward in full obedience. [19:42]
Acts 2:37-38 (ESV)
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Reflection: If you have not been baptized as a believer, what is holding you back from taking this step of obedience, and if you have, are you living out the teachings of Jesus in your daily life?
Day 3: Empowered by the Holy Spirit to Be Witnesses
The Holy Spirit is not just a helper but the enabler who empowers every believer to fulfill the Great Commission, giving boldness, wisdom, and the words to speak as we witness to others about Jesus. This power is not reserved for pastors or the highly educated, but is given to all who repent, believe, and are baptized, equipping them to be witnesses in their neighborhoods, communities, and to the ends of the earth. When you serve, speak, or share the gospel, you are allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you; refusing to go is refusing the work of the Spirit in and through your life. [28:50]
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: In what area of your life do you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to step out and be a witness, and how can you respond in faith this week?
Day 4: Devotion to the Church—Growing Together in Christ
After repentance and baptism, believers are called to devote themselves to the fellowship of the church, committing to teaching, prayer, breaking bread, and serving one another as a faith family. This devotion is not about attending social events or simply being on a membership roll, but about investing in the spiritual growth of yourself and others, building up the body of Christ, and participating in the mission and ministry of the church. True spiritual maturity is seen in unity, service, and a shared pursuit of Christ, as each member contributes to the health and growth of the whole. [21:06]
Acts 2:42 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Reflection: How can you deepen your commitment to your church family this week—whether through prayer, service, or intentional fellowship—so that both you and others grow in Christ?
Day 5: Go—The Heartbeat of the Church
The call to “go” is the heartbeat of the church, a non-negotiable command from Jesus Himself that requires us to move beyond comfort, routine, and passivity, and to actively engage our world with the gospel. This mission is not limited by geography, preference, or convenience; it extends to neighbors, coworkers, those who are different from us, and even those who may oppose us. The church thrives when every member embraces this outward focus, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us as we initiate conversations, serve, and make disciples wherever God sends us. [35:24]
Mark 16:15 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to move from waiting or watching to actively “going” and sharing the love and message of Jesus with someone in your sphere of influence?
Quotes
He called us to go, not stay. He called us to engage, not wait for them to come. He called us to have, to start the conversation, not wait until the conversation is started on our behalf. He told us to go and make disciples. This is the very heartbeat of the church. [00:35:24] (21 seconds)
This great commission is a charge and responsibility of each member of the church. And until you take ownership of it, then you are living in partial obedience to the Lord. And partial obedience is still living in disobedience to the Lord. [00:12:16] (19 seconds)
Don't just throw money at the ministry. Don't just throw money at the mission. Don't just throw it and say, okay, somebody else go. No, you go. It's an individual responsibility to go. No, it's not optional. And the risen king has said so. It is your responsibility to go. And if you're not going, then you need to repent. You need to stand before the Lord and you need to say to him, I'm sorry for not going. Here I am. Send me. [00:16:35] (37 seconds)
We're always to be ready. This isn't for the intellectual. It isn't for the educated. It is for each and every believer and follower of Jesus Christ. And until we get to that point of recognizing that this commission is your personal commission, then what's going to happen is it's going to be reliant upon preachers, pastors, and elders to do it. [00:11:32] (27 seconds)
All authority in heaven on earth have been given to me, therefore go. All authority. He first establishes his authority, not over just a portion or a segment of society, but over all creation. It's a reminder that the mission of the church is not optional or to be considered, but is it a directive from the one who has been given authority to give that directive. [00:13:27] (25 seconds)
We have an enabler. We have a Holy Spirit. He has gifted us, empowered us to be his witnesses. He has gifted something, placed something within those who believe. The one who is going to convict. The one who is going to speak. The one who is going to empower. The one who is going to enable you to do the great commission. [00:28:06] (40 seconds)
You and I don't just share a truth when we speak Jesus into a conversation. We share the Holy Spirit. When you serve, you are not just giving of your time and your talent. You are sharing the Holy Spirit. [00:28:50] (20 seconds)
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