Living Out the Great Commission Through Love
Summary
Welcome to our 10:30 service. Today, we continue our series, "Rediscovering Why We Exist," focusing on the church's role as a physical expression of a spiritual reality. The church is not just a building or a gathering; it is a community of believers who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. This community is called to demonstrate the reality of God's kingdom through love, which is the mark of true discipleship. Love is not merely being nice; it is a deep, Christ-like love that requires spiritual transformation. This transformation is essential for us to live out the Great Commission, which is to make disciples of all nations.
The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:18-20, is often misunderstood due to translation nuances. The command is not simply to "go," "make," "baptize," and "teach," but rather to disciple all nations. This involves baptizing them into the faith and teaching them to obey Jesus' commands, which are to love God and love others. Discipleship is relational, requiring us to apprentice others in the way of Jesus, much like how Jesus spent time with His disciples.
Evangelism and discipleship are both relational and require authenticity. Our lives should authenticate the gospel through love and transformation. Spiritual transformation is the foundation for proclaiming the gospel, and it is through this transformation that we can effectively share the good news. As we live our lives, we are called to disciple those around us, teaching them to observe and guard Jesus' teachings.
In conclusion, the church exists to be a place where we apprentice under Jesus and help others do the same. This involves observing what Christ taught and mentoring others in His way. For those who are not yet Christians, life begins when you place your trust in Jesus. For believers, the path to meaning and purpose is found in living a life of love, as Christ has invited us to do.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Church as a Spiritual Expression: The church is a physical manifestation of a spiritual reality, where believers gather to express God's kingdom through love. This love is the mark of true discipleship and requires ongoing spiritual transformation. [27:13]
2. Understanding the Great Commission: The Great Commission is not just about going and teaching; it is about discipling all nations. This involves baptizing them into the faith and teaching them to obey Jesus' commands, which center on love. [31:25]
3. Relational Discipleship: Discipleship is inherently relational, requiring us to apprentice others in the way of Jesus. This involves living life together and demonstrating Christ-like love in all interactions. [38:25]
4. Authenticity in Evangelism: Authenticity is crucial in evangelism and discipleship. Our lives should reflect the transformation brought by the gospel, serving as evidence of its truth. People are not looking for perfection but for genuine, Christ-like love. [46:03]
5. Spiritual Transformation as a Foundation: Spiritual transformation is the foundation for proclaiming the gospel. It is essential for authentic evangelism and discipleship, as it demonstrates the reality of God's kingdom in our lives. [50:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction to the Series
- [03:15] - The Church as a Spiritual Expression
- [06:30] - The Mark of True Discipleship
- [10:00] - Spiritual Transformation and Love
- [13:45] - The Great Commission Explained
- [18:20] - Understanding "Go" and "Disciple"
- [22:50] - Baptism and Its Significance
- [27:13] - Relational Discipleship
- [31:25] - Authenticity in Evangelism
- [35:40] - Spiritual Transformation as a Foundation
- [40:15] - Observing and Guarding Jesus' Teachings
- [46:03] - The Path to Meaning and Purpose
- [50:04] - Invitation to Non-Christians
- [54:22] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 28:18-20
- John 13:34-35
- Matthew 22:37-39
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how is the church described as a physical expression of a spiritual reality? [27:13]
2. What are the four verbs mentioned in the Great Commission, and how does the sermon suggest they should be understood differently? [31:25]
3. How does the sermon define the concept of "relational discipleship"? [38:25]
4. What role does authenticity play in evangelism and discipleship according to the sermon? [46:03]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the command to "go" in the Great Commission, and what implications does this have for everyday life? [31:25]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that love is the mark of true discipleship, and how does this relate to spiritual transformation? [27:13]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between spiritual transformation and the proclamation of the gospel? [50:04]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of teaching obedience to Jesus' commands, and how is this different from simply imparting knowledge? [50:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily interactions. How can you incorporate the idea of "discipling as you go" into your routine this week? [31:25]
2. Consider your current relationships. How can you demonstrate Christ-like love in a way that is authentic and transformative? [46:03]
3. Identify an area in your life where you feel you need spiritual transformation. What steps can you take to invite God's work in that area? [50:04]
4. Think about someone in your life who might be open to learning about Jesus. How can you begin to apprentice them in the way of Jesus this week? [38:25]
5. Evaluate your understanding of Jesus' commands to love God and love others. How can you better observe and guard these teachings in your life? [50:04]
6. Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled to show love. What could you do differently next time to align more closely with Jesus' teachings? [27:13]
7. How can you ensure that your life authentically reflects the transformation brought by the gospel, especially in challenging situations? [46:03]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Living Expression of God's Kingdom
The church is more than a building or a gathering; it is a living community of believers who embody the spiritual reality of God's kingdom. This community is called to express God's love, which is the true mark of discipleship. This love is not superficial but requires a deep, Christ-like transformation that enables believers to live out the Great Commission. The church's role is to be a tangible expression of God's love, demonstrating the reality of His kingdom through actions and relationships. [27:13]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community to express God's kingdom through love this week?
Day 2: Discipling Nations Through Love and Obedience
The Great Commission is often misunderstood as merely a call to go and teach. However, it is a call to disciple all nations, which involves baptizing them into the faith and teaching them to obey Jesus' commands. These commands center on love—loving God and loving others. Discipleship is not just about imparting knowledge but about nurturing a relationship with Jesus and helping others do the same. It is a call to live out the teachings of Jesus in a way that transforms lives and communities. [31:25]
"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." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you disciple someone in your life by teaching them to love and obey Jesus' commands?
Day 3: The Relational Nature of Discipleship
Discipleship is inherently relational, requiring believers to apprentice others in the way of Jesus. This involves living life together, sharing experiences, and demonstrating Christ-like love in all interactions. Just as Jesus spent time with His disciples, believers are called to invest in relationships that foster spiritual growth and transformation. Authentic discipleship is about walking alongside others, guiding them in their faith journey, and helping them grow in their relationship with Christ. [38:25]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally invest in this week to help them grow in their faith journey?
Day 4: Authenticity in Evangelism and Discipleship
Authenticity is crucial in both evangelism and discipleship. Believers are called to live lives that reflect the transformation brought by the gospel, serving as evidence of its truth. People are not looking for perfection but for genuine, Christ-like love. Authenticity involves being honest about one's struggles and allowing others to see the work of God in one's life. It is through this authenticity that believers can effectively share the good news and disciple others. [46:03]
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate authenticity in your relationships this week, allowing others to see the transformation God is working in your life?
Day 5: Spiritual Transformation as the Foundation for Proclaiming the Gospel
Spiritual transformation is the foundation for proclaiming the gospel. It is essential for authentic evangelism and discipleship, as it demonstrates the reality of God's kingdom in believers' lives. This transformation involves a deep, inner change that aligns one's heart and actions with the teachings of Jesus. As believers experience this transformation, they are empowered to share the good news with others, inviting them to experience the same life-changing relationship with Christ. [50:04]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: What area of your life needs spiritual transformation, and how can you invite God to work in that area this week?
Quotes
"Then last week we saw that, simply put, first, the church is the gathering of Jesus' disciples. If you think about what is the church, now this doesn't mean a church building. Just because you're here doesn't mean you're a disciple of Jesus. You're attending a church service. But the church, those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the church is the gathering of those people in real life. It's the gathering of Jesus' disciples." [00:23:40] (27 seconds)
"love is how we demonstrate the reality of God's kingdom. So I want you to follow. The spiritual kingdom is real, but it can't be seen in the world. So what the church does is it makes the spiritual reality real in the world. Now, the way we know someone is a disciple, Jesus said, is that they love one another. Therefore, the way that the church demonstrates that Jesus is real and God's kingdom is real is through his specified means, which is love." [00:24:31] (30 seconds)
"And the reason it is our number one priority is because the transformation of your character is required if you are going to demonstrate Christ-like love. You're broken, you're a sinner, you've got struggles, you've had issues, you've been a victim. There's all kinds of issues, right, that we all have. Nobody in here is perfect. So you enter into whatever relationship you're in, marriage, parenting, friendship, co-workers, it doesn't matter. You enter into that relationship as a broken person." [00:25:51] (31 seconds)
"There's something much deeper to biblical love. So to produce love in the stressful and the hard and these connections, these relational, these relationships that we have, it's not possible without God's work within us transforming us to look more and more like Jesus. And so therefore, if we're going to demonstrate Christ-like love and love is the marker of authentic discipleship, that's how we're going to make the kingdom of God real, then we've all have got to experience spiritual transformation in our life." [00:26:24] (35 seconds)
"Spiritual transformation is the foundation for the proclamation of the gospel. So if the way that we reveal the kingdom to the world is through love, that's the marker of authentic discipleship, then it is that transformation that is going to be the base, the foundation for the proclamation of the good news to the people in the world, to the people in our lives." [00:27:29] (26 seconds)
"Now for some of you, this verse, you already know it by heart. You're so familiar with it. What I'm going to ask you to do is to take a moment and lay aside some of your preconceived conceptions. I think there's some mistakes that when we read this, we assume some things that we shouldn't assume. And the reason we assume it is because of how it's been translated in English. So I'm just going to break this down. If you were to highlight the main kind of, how would you break this verse down? Well, you'd go first to the verbs. And there are four verbs in your English translation." [00:29:42] (29 seconds)
"Go, make, baptize, and teach. But here's the problem with that. I think that actually, so people will say, well, here's the great commission. You need to go, you need to make disciples, you need to baptize them, and you need to teach them. But here's the thing. I think because of how we've translated it, we've actually missed the entire point of what Jesus is trying to teach us. So I'm just going to go, first of all, kind of word by word. So first is this word go. And it sounds like a command. And the way it's listed in English is there's an implied subject, you. You are to go, you are to make, you are to baptize, and you are to teach. The problem with that is the word go here is a participle." [00:30:47] (44 seconds)
"Make disciples of all nations. Now the word disciple doesn't translate quite over into English perfectly because a disciple was like an apprentice, a student. So he says, wherever you're going, disciple, apprentice, and don't limit who you apprentice based on their ethnicity. You see, these 11 men hearing Jesus, they're all Jewish. And when Jesus says that you're going to disciple all the nations, they're like, what? We thought we were God's chosen people. We're the Jews. So now you're telling us that the kingdom of God is going to expand and expand and it's open to everybody." [00:31:39] (42 seconds)
"that is the great commission and i want to highlight two important things first there is only one command in this passage there are not four verbs there's one command and that command is to disciple all nations that's it that's what the great commission is it's not going it's not go here it's not a command to go it's not even really a command to disciple baptize and teach it is a command to disciple and the way you disciple is you baptize you get them to identify with jesus christ they identify with him in baptism and then you teach them to live out the commands of jesus which are to love god and love your neighbor it really is that simple now this idea of discipleship i want to explain is the idea of apprenticeship it is the idea of mentoring or training it's relational you cannot disciple without relationship" [00:39:45] (72 seconds)
"people can influence your thinking but they cannot disciple you without relationship that's why jesus came and spent three and a half years with these 12 men because he was demonstrating that the essence of the gospel is love and love is expressed in and through relationship so there's one command in the great commission it is to disciple all nations and then secondly you need to understand that how you disciple is simple you baptize them what are you baptizing them into you you're baptizing them into apprenticeship with jesus and then you baptize them and you teach them to follow" [00:43:58] (44 seconds)
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