Attempt Great Things for God: Embracing the Great Commission

Matthew 28:16–20 frames a confident, actionable vision: Jesus possesses universal authority, commissions the church to make disciples, and promises abiding presence. The text anchors three reasons to attempt great things for God—power, purpose, and presence—grounding bold mission in the reality of Christ’s lordship. Authority appears not only as a legal right but as effective power, earned through humility and exaltation; because Jesus reigns, the church can expect resources and enablement when it aligns with his purposes. Purpose surfaces in the single imperative to make disciples: evangelize the lost, baptize believers, and teach obedience to all Christ commanded. That mission unfolds most naturally “as you are going,” calling ordinary routines—work, school, family, neighborhood—into gospel opportunity rather than confining ministry to a building.

Teaching receives equal weight with proclamation; conversion begins a process that requires ongoing instruction toward obedience, not mere assent to doctrine. The sermon presses the stark difference between knowing truth and living it, urging consistent faithfulness in small, ordinary acts as the pathway to larger movements of God. Presence completes the trilogy: “I am with you always” legitimizes both bold risk and patient endurance, promising God’s nearness through difficulty and commissioning. Corporate gatherings matter because they are places God has promised to meet his people, and obedience to those communal rhythms positions believers to encounter and act on God’s leading.

Practical next steps receive attention—public professions of faith through believers’ baptism, intentional evangelistic conversations, local service partnerships, and equipping structures designed to mobilize the congregation for neighborhood and global outreach. A new ministry space aims to become an on-ramp for participation, training, and mission planning. The call cultivates a discipline of showing up where Christ directs, taking the next faithful step, and refusing to limit God by guarding human preferences. If the church will surrender plans for Christ’s plan, invest in evangelism and discipleship, and practice obedience in daily life, greater things can be expected as God fulfills his promised purposes.

Key Takeaways

• 1. All authority empowers the church Jesus’ authority functions as active power, not merely title. Because the Son humbled himself and was exalted, his lordship supplies resources and mandate for the church to act beyond human capacity. This authority demands surrender of personal control so God’s purposes—not cultural preferences—shape mission and ministry. Acting under Christ’s authority reframes risk as obedience rather than conjecture. [41:49]
• 2. Disciple-making is the church's mission “Make disciples” stands as the single imperative that defines communal purpose. Disciple-making integrates evangelism, baptism, and sustained instruction toward obedience, refusing to reduce mission to quick decisions or programs. The church’s identity coheres around forming followers who then reproduce faith in others, not merely accumulating converts. Prioritizing this mission redirects resources and attention toward long-term spiritual formation. [48:13]
• 3. Evangelize while living daily routines The Great Commission’s “as you are going” converts mundane rhythm into mission field. Normal environments—workplaces, schools, practices, social circles—become the primary contexts for gospel encounters when believers intentionally listen, serve, and share. Small, sustained conversations and consistent prayer for named people often precede public professions of faith more reliably than any event-driven strategy. Missional momentum grows by leveraging everyday proximity rather than waiting for extraordinary platforms. [51:12]
• 4. Obedience trumps mere knowledge Teaching that leads to obedience marks true discipleship; knowing doctrine without practicing it halts spiritual progress. The text’s emphasis on “observe” reveals that Christian maturity forms through applied faith—doing the next right thing repeatedly—more than through accumulating information. A discipline of faithful small acts prepares people for larger responsibility and invites God to expand fruitfulness. Consistent practice of known truth cultivates credibility and spiritual momentum. [56:20]
• 5. Jesus promises enduring presence The promise “I am with you always” anchors both courage and consolation in ministry. God’s nearness validates risk, steadies amid disappointment, and turns communal gatherings into places of encounter when approached expectantly. Presence reshapes ministry metrics: fruitfulness flows from faithfulness under his accompaniment, not merely from short-term results. Living under that promise enables perseverance toward God’s long-term purposes. [58:31]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [36:22] - Connect Card and Invitation
• [37:01] - Membership Matters Announcement
• [37:37] - Expecting Great Things
• [41:07] - Reading Matthew 28:16–20
• [41:49] - Authority of Christ Explained
• [48:13] - The Church’s Singular Purpose
• [50:01] - Evangelism and Baptism
• [56:20] - Teaching to Obey, Not Just Know
• [58:31] - The Promise of Christ’s Presence
• [66:56] - Great Commission Center Plans
• [69:03] - Invitation and Closing Prayer

1. What three reasons does the text give for attempting "great things" for God, and how are they connected to Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:18–20?
2. How does the sermon contrast “teaching them to know” versus “teaching them to obey” in the context of discipleship? [56:20]
3. According to the sermon, what everyday environments or routines are highlighted as primary contexts for evangelism? [51:12]
4. What specific promise does Jesus give to His followers at the end of the Great Commission, and how does the sermon describe its practical impact?

1. Why might Jesus’ claim to “all authority” (v. 18) be foundational for the church’s willingness to take risks in mission? How does His authority differ from mere titles or positions?
2. The disciples worshiped Jesus even while some doubted (v. 17). How might doubt coexist with obedience in pursuing God’s mission, and what does this reveal about faith in action?
3. The sermon emphasizes that disciple-making involves “evangelizing the lost” and “equipping the saints.” Why are both necessary, and what happens if one is neglected? [50:01]
4. How does Jesus’ promise of His presence (“I am with you always”) reframe our understanding of success or failure in ministry?

1. Identify one person in your daily routine (work, school, neighborhood) whom you can intentionally pray for and look for opportunities to serve or share the gospel with this week. [51:12]
2. What is one area of your life where you know biblical truth but struggle to obey it? What specific, small step could you take this week to align your actions with that truth? [56:20]
3. Jesus’ authority means surrendering control of our plans. What personal preference or “plan” do you need to release to align more fully with His mission?
4. The sermon mentions baptism as a public step of obedience. If you’ve never been baptized as a believer, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you encourage someone else to take this step?
5. How could you intentionally use your involvement in local service projects or church ministries (like the “Great Commission Center”) to grow in discipleship or help others take their next step? [01:06:56]
6. When have you experienced doubt about God’s ability to work through you? How can Jesus’ promise of His presence (v. 20) reshape your willingness to act in faith this month?