Empowered to Fulfill the Great Commission

 

Summary

In the face of adversity, whether it be the plagues of the Roman Empire or the persecution of Christians in the 16th century, the unwavering faith of believers has always been a testament to the power of the Great Commission. This call to spread the gospel and make disciples is not just a historical mandate but a present-day charge for every believer. The essence of this mission is rooted in the understanding that Jesus Christ holds all authority in heaven and on earth. This divine sovereignty assures us that no matter the challenges we face, Christ is in control, and His purposes will prevail.

The Great Commission is not merely about evangelism; it is about making disciples. This involves baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded. Baptism is a significant church ordinance, symbolizing our union with Christ and our inclusion in the covenant community. It is a public declaration of faith and a commitment to live under the lordship of Christ.

Moreover, discipleship is about teaching obedience to Christ's commands, not as a means of salvation but as evidence of a transformed life. True discipleship involves growing in grace, demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit, and living a life that reflects the character of Christ. This is not legalism but a response to the grace we have received.

The promise of Christ's presence, "I am with you always, to the end of the age," provides immense comfort and assurance. It is a reminder that we are not alone in this mission. Christ, through the Holy Spirit, empowers and equips us to fulfill the Great Commission. This promise is a source of strength for believers facing persecution and challenges worldwide.

As we reflect on the Great Commission, we must ask ourselves what role it plays in our lives and in the life of the church. It is a call to action, a call to prioritize mission, and a call to be actively involved in spreading the gospel. Whether through prayer, support, or going ourselves, we are all called to participate in this divine mandate.

Key Takeaways:

1. Divine Sovereignty and Mission: Jesus Christ's claim of all authority in heaven and on earth is foundational to the Great Commission. This divine sovereignty assures us that Christ is in control, and His purposes will prevail, providing the basis for our mission to make disciples. [58:23]

2. The Essence of Discipleship: Discipleship goes beyond evangelism; it involves baptizing believers and teaching them to observe Christ's commands. This process is not about legalism but about living a life that reflects the transformation brought by grace. [01:06:04]

3. The Role of Baptism: Baptism is a significant church ordinance, symbolizing our union with Christ and inclusion in the covenant community. It is a public declaration of faith and a commitment to live under the lordship of Christ. [01:07:06]

4. Christ's Ever-Present Comfort: The promise of Christ's presence, "I am with you always," provides immense comfort and assurance. It reminds us that we are not alone in this mission, and Christ empowers us through the Holy Spirit. [01:19:08]

5. Active Participation in the Great Commission: The Great Commission is a call to action for every believer. It challenges us to prioritize mission, whether through prayer, support, or going ourselves, and to be actively involved in spreading the gospel. [01:24:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [53:24] - Historical Context of Christian Perseverance
- [54:33] - The Great Commission in History
- [56:27] - The Call to Love Christ
- [58:23] - Jesus' Authority and Sovereignty
- [01:00:10] - The Triumph of Christ
- [01:01:29] - Authority Over All
- [01:03:37] - The Purpose of Evangelism
- [01:04:20] - The Mandate to Make Disciples
- [01:06:04] - The Essence of Discipleship
- [01:07:06] - The Role of Baptism
- [01:09:14] - The Significance of the Trinity
- [01:19:08] - Christ's Ever-Present Comfort
- [01:24:11] - Active Participation in the Great Commission
- [01:30:25] - The Church's Role in Mission

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Great Commission

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:18-20
2. Acts 1:8
3. John 14:16-18

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus claim about His authority in Matthew 28:18, and how does this relate to the Great Commission? [58:23]

2. According to the sermon, what are the two main components of making disciples as outlined in the Great Commission? [01:06:50]

3. How does the promise of Christ's presence in Matthew 28:20 provide comfort to believers, especially those facing persecution? [01:19:08]

4. What historical examples were given in the sermon to illustrate the perseverance of Christians in fulfilling the Great Commission? [54:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Jesus' claim of all authority in heaven and on earth impact the way believers should approach the mission of making disciples? [58:23]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that baptism is more than just a symbolic act, and how does it relate to the concept of discipleship? [01:07:06]

3. How does the promise of the Holy Spirit in John 14:16-18 empower believers to fulfill the Great Commission, according to the sermon? [01:21:02]

4. What role does the church play in the Great Commission, and how does this align with the historical examples provided in the sermon? [01:24:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal understanding of Jesus' authority. How does this understanding influence your daily life and your approach to sharing the gospel? [58:23]

2. Baptism is described as a public declaration of faith. Have you been baptized, and if so, how did it impact your faith journey? If not, what steps could you take to explore this further? [01:07:06]

3. The sermon emphasizes teaching obedience to Christ's commands as part of discipleship. What is one command of Christ that you find challenging to follow, and how can you work on it this week? [01:06:50]

4. Consider the promise of Christ's presence in your life. How can this assurance help you face a current challenge or fear? [01:19:08]

5. The Great Commission is a call to action. Identify one specific way you can participate in this mission, whether through prayer, support, or direct involvement in evangelism. [01:24:11]

6. Reflect on the historical examples of Christian perseverance shared in the sermon. How can these stories inspire you to remain steadfast in your faith during difficult times? [54:33]

7. The sermon suggests that the church is central to fulfilling the Great Commission. How can you become more actively involved in your church's mission efforts? [01:24:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Christ's Sovereignty Fuels Our Mission
The Great Commission is rooted in the understanding that Jesus Christ holds all authority in heaven and on earth. This divine sovereignty assures believers that no matter the challenges they face, Christ is in control, and His purposes will prevail. This assurance provides the foundation for the mission to make disciples, as it is not based on human strength or wisdom but on the authority of Christ. Believers are called to trust in this sovereignty, knowing that their efforts in spreading the gospel are undergirded by Christ's ultimate authority. [58:23]

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 specific area of your life do you need to trust more in Christ's authority and sovereignty today?


Day 2: Discipleship as a Transformative Journey
Discipleship extends beyond mere evangelism; it involves baptizing believers and teaching them to observe Christ's commands. This process is not about legalism but about living a life that reflects the transformation brought by grace. True discipleship involves growing in grace, demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit, and living a life that reflects the character of Christ. It is a journey of transformation, where believers are continually shaped and molded by the teachings of Christ, leading to a life that bears witness to His grace and truth. [01:06:04]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: What is one specific command of Christ that you can focus on observing more closely this week, and how can you practically incorporate it into your daily life?


Day 3: Baptism as a Public Declaration of Faith
Baptism is a significant church ordinance, symbolizing a believer's union with Christ and inclusion in the covenant community. It is a public declaration of faith and a commitment to live under the lordship of Christ. Through baptism, believers publicly affirm their faith in Christ and their intention to follow Him, marking the beginning of their journey as disciples. This act of obedience is a powerful testimony to the transformative work of Christ in their lives and their commitment to live according to His teachings. [01:07:06]

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 meaning of baptism if you have not yet been baptized. How does this public declaration of faith challenge you to live more fully under the lordship of Christ today?


Day 4: The Comfort of Christ's Ever-Present Presence
The promise of Christ's presence, "I am with you always," provides immense comfort and assurance to believers. It is a reminder that they are not alone in their mission, and that Christ, through the Holy Spirit, empowers and equips them to fulfill the Great Commission. This promise is a source of strength for believers facing persecution and challenges worldwide, as it assures them of Christ's constant presence and support in their journey of faith. [01:19:08]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to be reminded of Christ's constant presence and support? How can this assurance change the way you approach this area today?


Day 5: Active Participation in the Great Commission
The Great Commission is a call to action for every believer. It challenges them to prioritize mission, whether through prayer, support, or going themselves, and to be actively involved in spreading the gospel. This divine mandate calls believers to examine their role in the mission of the church and to take intentional steps to participate in the work of making disciples. Whether through personal evangelism, supporting missionaries, or engaging in community outreach, every believer is called to be an active participant in the Great Commission. [01:24:11]

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."

Reflection: What specific step can you take this week to actively participate in the Great Commission, whether through prayer, support, or direct involvement in sharing the gospel?

Quotes


In the face of fear and sickness and disease and the persecution of Christians, the bishop of Alexandria wrote Christians were better able to cope because Christians believed in salvation, Christians believed in eternity, Christians believed in heaven, Christians believed that this world was not their home, and so no matter what was going on on the platform of the visible and tangible, there was a city which has foundations whose builder and maker is God, and it drove them to see what was important even in the midst of the devastations of the second century. [00:53:24]

The Great Commission is not merely about evangelism; it is about making disciples. This involves baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded. Baptism is a significant church ordinance, symbolizing our union with Christ and our inclusion in the covenant community. It is a public declaration of faith and a commitment to live under the lordship of Christ. [01:06:04]

All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. The first thing I wanted to see here is a massive claim, a massive claim to divine sovereignty. All authority is given to me. He is Pantocrator. He answers to no one. He holds the universe in the palms of his hands. All power, every force, every atom, every subatomic particle, quarks and leptons and bosons and hydrons and whatever, he has authority over them all. [00:58:23]

He has authority over everything at all times and in all places. His authority is totally unrelenting. Everyone and everything, angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, the 24 elders, the church triumphant, men, women, children, creatures of the land, creatures of the sea, creatures of the air, Satan and all of his dominion, and Jesus says all authority in heaven and earth is given to me. [01:00:10]

The promise of Christ's presence, "I am with you always, to the end of the age," provides immense comfort and assurance. It is a reminder that we are not alone in this mission. Christ, through the Holy Spirit, empowers and equips us to fulfill the Great Commission. This promise is a source of strength for believers facing persecution and challenges worldwide. [01:19:08]

The charge is huge and monumental to go into all the world and make disciples, go into parts of the world where it might cause great difficulty, might cost you your life. When I was listening yesterday to that little address about Voice of the Martyrs, and maybe it wasn't in here but maybe it was in the pre-conference sessions that we heard that in Afghanistan and Iran and North Korea and elsewhere, and our hearts go out to these brothers and sisters and the cost, and they've worn that cost forever. [01:24:11]

Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. I think that's exegetical of what making disciples means. What does it mean to make a disciple? Well, it is to bring them into the confines of the church, it is to baptize them, it is to bring them under the sign and seal of the covenant of grace, but it's also to teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. [01:11:04]

A disciple is someone who obeys and observes Jesus's commands, not in order to be saved, but to demonstrate that they have been saved, teaching them to display the fruits of the Spirit in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, teaching them to grow and to be stable and to be mature in their faith. [01:13:36]

Jesus isn't interested simply in those who come to saving faith and make a profession. We've walked through that in the second half of the 20th century in certain circles, what we might call easy believism, that all you need to do is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you can live for the rest of your life like the devil, and but you will get in by the skin of your teeth, as it were, and so on. The Bible teaches no such thing. [01:14:50]

By their fruits you shall know them, they say. Disciples, true disciples say, oh how I love your law, it is my meditation day and night. They're discipled, meaning they're taught, meaning they are instructed in scripture, in doctrine, in piety, in obedience, demonstrating their commitment to the word of God, showing that they are followers of Jesus and they have his law within their hearts. [01:15:40]

There's a massive claim, and there's a massive command, and there's a massive comfort in this Great Commission, and the comfort is, lo, I am with you always, to the end severe of the age. That's beautiful, isn't it? The charge is huge and monumental to go into all the world and make disciples, go into parts of the world where it might cause great difficulty, might cost you your life. [01:19:08]

What place does the Great Commission have in your life and in the life of the church? It has been my experience in 42 years of ministry that mission, whether it's at home or across the street or abroad, wherever it is, has been the interest and preoccupation of a few in the church, and it doesn't matter if it's a small church or a medium-sized church or a large church, I've found it always to be the same that there is a group of people who seem to be interested in mission. [01:24:11]

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Transcript
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