Empowered Community: Fulfilling the Great Commission Together
Summary
In reflecting on the Great Commission from Matthew 28:16-20, we are reminded of the profound calling Jesus has placed upon His followers. The essence of this commission is not just a directive to individuals but a communal charge to the Church. Jesus calls us to "go and make disciples," emphasizing the importance of community in this mission. The Church is not merely a collection of individuals but a unified body sent out to bring others into the fold, to baptize them, and to teach them all that Christ has commanded. This communal aspect is crucial, as it reflects the very nature of the Church as a family, a new humanity being built by Christ.
The act of making disciples involves two key components: bringing them in and building them up. Baptism is a significant part of this process, symbolizing the promises of God and the new identity we receive in Christ. It is a reminder of the covenantal relationship we enter into, marked by promises from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These promises include adoption, cleansing, and sanctification, which are not just symbolic but transformative, calling us to a life of faith and obedience.
Furthermore, the teaching aspect of the Great Commission is not selective but comprehensive. We are to teach all that Christ has commanded, embracing the fullness of Scripture. This requires a commitment to grow in our understanding and application of God's Word, moving beyond spiritual infancy to maturity. It is a call to be deeply rooted in the teachings of Christ, allowing them to shape our lives and our witness to the world.
Finally, we are encouraged to go with confidence, knowing that Jesus has all authority and is with us always. This assurance is vital as we face challenges and uncertainties in our mission. The presence of Christ with us every day is a source of strength and hope, reminding us that we are not alone in this endeavor. As we go forth, we do so with the confidence that Christ is building His Church and that His purposes will be accomplished.
Key Takeaways:
- Community in Mission: The Great Commission is a communal charge, emphasizing the Church's role in making disciples. We are called to go together, reflecting the unity and love of the body of Christ. This communal aspect is vital as it strengthens our witness and provides support and accountability in our mission. [06:33]
- Baptism and Identity: Baptism is more than a ritual; it signifies the promises of God and our new identity in Christ. It calls us to embrace the covenantal relationship with God, marked by adoption, cleansing, and sanctification. This new identity compels us to live in faith and obedience, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel. [19:18]
- Comprehensive Teaching: Making disciples involves teaching all that Christ has commanded, not selectively but comprehensively. This requires a commitment to grow in our understanding of Scripture, moving from spiritual infancy to maturity. It is a call to be deeply rooted in the teachings of Christ, allowing them to shape our lives and witness. [29:55]
- Confidence in Christ's Authority: Jesus assures us of His authority and presence, providing confidence as we fulfill the Great Commission. Despite challenges, we are reminded that Christ is with us every day, empowering us to accomplish His purposes. This assurance is a source of strength and hope, knowing that we are not alone in this mission. [43:28]
- The Church as a Light: In a world of isolation and brokenness, the Church is called to be a community of love, faith, and discipline. This distinctiveness shines brightly, offering hope and belonging to those who are lonely. Our commitment to being an active part of the Church reflects the love and care of Christ to the world. [12:34]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction and Reflections
- [01:15] - The Misinterpretation of Peter
- [02:37] - The Great Commission
- [03:46] - Worship and Doubt
- [05:15] - Making Disciples in Difficult Times
- [06:33] - Community in Mission
- [08:30] - The Importance of Church Connection
- [13:56] - Going with the Commission
- [16:09] - Bringing Them In
- [19:18] - Baptism and Covenant
- [23:54] - Living as a Baptized People
- [29:05] - Building Them Up
- [33:23] - Abiding in the Word
- [38:32] - Going with Confidence
- [43:28] - Jesus' Presence with Us
- [45:26] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 28:16-20
Observation Questions:
1. What are the two key components of making disciples as highlighted in the sermon? How do these components relate to the Great Commission? [16:09]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of baptism in the process of making disciples? [19:18]
3. How does the sermon describe the communal aspect of the Great Commission? Why is this aspect emphasized? [06:33]
4. What assurance does Jesus give His followers in the Great Commission, and why is this important for their mission? [43:28]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the communal nature of the Great Commission challenge the idea of individualistic faith? What implications does this have for the Church today? [06:33]
2. In what ways does baptism symbolize the promises of God and our new identity in Christ? How does this understanding affect a believer's life? [19:18]
3. The sermon emphasizes teaching all that Christ has commanded. How does this comprehensive approach to teaching impact the maturity of believers? [29:55]
4. How does the assurance of Christ's authority and presence influence the confidence of believers as they fulfill the Great Commission? [43:28]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current involvement in your church community. How can you become more actively engaged in the communal mission of making disciples? [06:33]
2. Baptism is described as a symbol of our new identity in Christ. How can you live out this new identity in your daily life, embracing the promises of God? [19:18]
3. Consider your understanding of Scripture. What steps can you take to grow from spiritual infancy to maturity, embracing the fullness of Christ's teachings? [29:55]
4. Jesus assures us of His presence and authority. How can this assurance help you face challenges in your personal mission to make disciples? [43:28]
5. The sermon highlights the Church as a community of love and discipline. How can you contribute to making your church a place of hope and belonging for those who feel isolated? [12:34]
6. Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week, reflecting the mission of making disciples?
7. Reflect on a time when you felt alone in your faith journey. How can you seek out or provide community support to ensure no one walks alone in their faith? [07:59]
Devotional
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Quotes
"Jesus said go make disciples, and we've spent some time in this conference talking about the difficult circumstances, the increasingly difficult circumstances it seems in which we find ourselves as American Christians. So the question how do you make disciples is perhaps more pressing, more crucial than ever. How do we make disciples?" [00:05:15]
"Go as the church. I think sometimes we miss that in or at least don't emphasize this enough in this great commission that Jesus gives us. I think we have often in the past very much stressed the responsibility of individual Christians to be witnesses for Christ, and that's true and that's important, that's vital." [00:06:33]
"He wants disciples to go make disciples. In Luke, we read about sheep making sheep. Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel as sheep. Jesus is sending not angels but fallible human disciples to make more disciples, and we go as the church at the center of Jesus' thinking." [00:06:55]
"Now that's crucial for us to bear in mind. We are never called as Christians—well, never—we are hardly ever, most of us never called as Christians to be Christians alone. If you are utterly alone as a Christian, read Psalm 88. There are times when Christians feel entirely alone, but God wants us to feel and experience and be part of a community of faith." [00:07:44]
"The church as community of love and faith and discipline is going to shine ever more brightly in this world to people who are lonely. Some years ago, we had friends whose grandson, little boy, was killed in an automobile accident, and the highway patrolmen came to visit them a day later and he said to them, you must be Christians." [00:12:34]
"Bring them in and build them up. How about that? Bring them in and build them up. That's what Jesus did for us, didn't he? He brought us in and he built us up. How is baptism being used here to describe the bringing them in? Well, I think it encourages us to reflect on the fact that we shouldn't think of baptism narrowly." [00:16:09]
"Baptism speaks of the promises of God, and bringing people in to be disciples requires a knowledge and an embracing of the promises of God. And this form takes note of the fact that Jesus has baptized him in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." [00:20:16]
"Adopted, washed, sanctified, glorified. What a promise. Now I want to be clear, this is not what baptism does, this is what baptism means. Some Christians have gotten confused and think the water of baptism does something apart from the word and the spirit. No, baptism means something, baptism promises something." [00:22:40]
"Do you know it so well that there's nothing in it that surprises you? Isn't it surprising that when Jesus says go make disciples, he sums up disciple making in two very brief points? If somebody said what would it take to make a disciple of Jesus Christ, how long would you go on for?" [00:14:32]
"Jesus only has two, and one of them's about baptism. Now that's surprising. I think for a lot of us if we were asked how do you make disciples of Jesus Christ, we might eventually get to baptism, but we probably wouldn't start with it the way Jesus does. You know, it's very important to let the Bible surprise you sometimes." [00:14:52]
"Jesus was weak and Jesus suffered, but he never failed in confidence in what God was doing. And so Jesus speaks to us and calls us to a confidence as we go. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Imagine yourself standing on a hillside on the edge of the Sea of Galilee." [00:43:28]
"Go with confidence. Jesus begins and ends the great commission with words to build up our confidence as we go. I believe we're living in an age that will make First Corinthians, Second Corinthians 12, an especially attractive passage for us about the weakness of the church in many ways." [00:43:28]
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