Living the Great Commission in Everyday Life
Summary
Returning from a week in New Orleans, I was deeply encouraged by witnessing thousands of young people passionately worshiping Jesus together. It was a powerful reminder of the joy and energy that comes when the body of Christ gathers, and it reignited my excitement for the mission Jesus has given us. This mission, given on a nameless mountain in Galilee, is not just a command but a privilege: to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching in His name. Jesus begins this commission by declaring that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him, grounding our mission in His power and sovereignty. We are not sent out on our own, but by the King of kings, who gives us clarity, confidence, and courage.
The call to “go” is not limited to special trips or far-off places. The original language of Jesus’ command is best understood as “as you go”—in the ordinary rhythms of daily life. Whether at work, school, in our neighborhoods, or over coffee with a friend, we are called to make disciples. This is not a one-time event but a daily, ongoing way of living. We do this by welcoming others into God’s family and teaching them to live and love like Jesus, so that the world might see more of Him through us.
Jesus illustrates this mission with the parable of the sower, who scatters seed generously, not worrying about where it lands. Our role is to faithfully scatter the Word—sharing Jesus in conversations, actions, and love—without obsessing over the results. God is the one who brings growth, often in ways and places we least expect. Sometimes, the fruit of our faithfulness takes time to appear, and we may never see the results ourselves. But we trust that God is always at work beneath the surface.
We are not alone in this mission. Jesus promises to be with us always, even to the end of the age. He removes every excuse and fear, assuring us that His presence and authority go with us. Our task is to be faithful: to keep praying, keep sharing, keep loving, and keep sowing seeds of hope. In the end, it is God who brings the harvest, and we are invited to participate in His redeeming work, helping others find their place at His table.
Key Takeaways
- The Mission Flows from Christ’s Authority
Jesus grounds our calling to make disciples in His absolute authority over heaven and earth. This means our confidence and courage do not come from our own abilities, but from the One who sends us. We are not inventing our own mission, but carrying out the will of the King, which gives us clarity and purpose in every step we take. [04:40]
- Disciple-Making Happens in Everyday Life
The command to “go” is best understood as “as you go”—in the ordinary, daily moments of life. Making disciples is not reserved for special events or trips, but is woven into our routines: at work, at school, in our neighborhoods, and with our friends. Every interaction is an opportunity to reflect Jesus and invite others into His story. [06:51]
- Scatter the Word Generously, Not Selectively
Like the sower in Jesus’ parable, we are called to scatter the Word of God generously, not waiting for perfect conditions or the “right” people. Our role is not to manage outcomes, but to faithfully share Jesus in word and deed wherever we are. God alone brings growth, often in unexpected places and through unlikely people. [08:55]
- Faithfulness Over Results—Trusting God’s Timing
The fruit of our efforts may not be immediately visible, and sometimes we may never see it at all. God often works slowly and deeply before anything becomes visible on the surface. Our responsibility is to remain faithful—praying, sharing, loving, and trusting that God is at work, even when we cannot see it. [17:12]
- Christ’s Presence Removes Every Excuse and Fear
Jesus promises to be with us always, providing strength, guidance, and comfort as we live out His mission. Even when we face rejection, discomfort, or fear, we are never alone. His presence and authority go with us, empowering us to be bold and faithful in scattering the seeds of the gospel. [14:52]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - New Orleans Experience & Joy of Christian Community
[01:55] - What Excites Us and the Challenge of Sharing Jesus
[03:00] - The Great Commission: Our Mission from Jesus
[04:40] - Christ’s Authority as the Foundation
[05:30] - The Football Analogy: Clarity and Confidence in Mission
[06:51] - “As You Go”: Everyday Disciple-Making
[07:34] - Baptizing, Teaching, and Living Like Jesus
[08:55] - The Parable of the Sower: Scattering the Word
[10:43] - Reflection: Where Has God Placed You to Sow?
[12:28] - Enrique’s Example: Faithfulness in Action
[14:52] - Christ’s Presence in Our Mission
[17:12] - Trusting God with the Growth
[18:43] - Perseverance in Prayer and Sowing
[19:45] - Belonging at the Table and Living the Mission
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
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.”
Luke 8:4-15 (ESV) – Parable of the Sower
*(You may want to read the whole parable, but especially verses 5-8 and Jesus’ explanation in 11-15)*
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 28:18-20, what are the specific actions Jesus commands his followers to do as part of the Great Commission?
2. In the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-15), what are the different types of soil, and what happens to the seed in each case?
3. The sermon described the original language of “go” as “as you go.” What does this suggest about when and where disciple-making happens? [06:51]
4. What promise does Jesus give at the end of the Great Commission, and why is it important for the mission? [14:52]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus begin the Great Commission by declaring that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him? How does this affect the way we approach his mission? [04:40]
2. In the parable of the sower, why do you think Jesus describes the sower as scattering seed everywhere, rather than only on “good” soil? What does this teach us about sharing our faith? [08:55]
3. The sermon emphasized that making disciples is not a “one and done” event but a daily way of living. What might this look like in the ordinary routines of life? [06:51]
4. Jesus promises to be with us “always, to the end of the age.” How might this promise help someone who feels afraid or inadequate to share their faith? [14:52]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon shared the story of Enrique, who looked for opportunities to share Jesus’ love in everyday moments. Think about your past week: was there a moment when you could have shown Jesus’ love to someone but didn’t? What held you back? [12:28]
2. Jesus calls us to “scatter the Word generously, not selectively.” Is there a person or group in your life you tend to avoid sharing your faith with? What would it look like to be more generous in sowing seeds there? [08:55]
3. The message said, “as you go”—at work, school, in your neighborhood, or over coffee—you are called to make disciples. What is one ordinary place or routine in your life where you could be more intentional about reflecting Jesus? [06:51]
4. Sometimes, we may never see the results of our faithfulness. How do you handle discouragement when you don’t see immediate fruit from your efforts to share Jesus? What helps you keep going? [17:12]
5. Jesus’ authority and presence “remove every excuse and fear.” What is one specific fear or excuse that keeps you from sharing your faith? How can you remind yourself of Jesus’ promise this week? [14:52]
6. The sermon encouraged us to keep praying, sharing, loving, and sowing seeds of hope. Who is one person you can commit to pray for and intentionally invest in this month? [18:43]
7. The Great Commission is described as both a command and a privilege. How does viewing it as a privilege change your attitude or motivation toward making disciples? [04:40]
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Devotional
Day 1: The Mission: Go and Make Disciples as You Go
Jesus calls His followers to a mission that is not reserved for special trips or extraordinary moments, but is woven into the fabric of everyday life. As you go to work, school, or even just out for coffee, you are invited to share who Jesus is and what He has done. This mission is not a one-time event, but a daily calling to make disciples—welcoming others into God’s family and teaching them to live, walk, and talk like Jesus. As you go about your day, pray for intentional opportunities to invest in those around you, knowing that your ordinary moments are the very places God uses to change lives. [07:34]
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: Where in your daily routine today can you intentionally share Jesus with someone—whether through a word, an act of kindness, or a simple invitation?
Day 2: Scattering the Word Generously
The call to make disciples is lived out by scattering the Word of God generously, just as the farmer in Jesus’ parable sows seed in all kinds of soil. You are not called to overthink or wait for the perfect moment or person; instead, you are invited to share the hope, peace, and joy of Jesus wherever you go, trusting that God will use your words and actions in ways you may not see. Your role is to be faithful in sowing, whether through conversations, acts of love, or simply pointing others to Jesus in the ordinary places of life. [10:43]
Luke 8:4-8 (ESV)
And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Reflection: Who is one person in your life today who needs to hear a message of hope or experience an act of kindness from you?
Day 3: Trusting God with the Growth
As you scatter the Word and live out your calling, remember that the results are not yours to manage. Growth often happens slowly and beneath the surface, and you may not see immediate change. Yet, God is always at work, softening hearts and bringing life in His timing. Your job is to keep praying, keep sowing, and keep trusting that God will bring fruit, even when you cannot see it. Be patient, knowing that God’s ways are deep and lasting, and that He delights in working through ordinary people in unexpected places. [17:12]
Luke 8:15 (ESV)
“As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”
Reflection: Is there someone or something you’ve been praying for without seeing results? How can you trust God’s timing and keep being faithful today?
Day 4: Sent with Authority and Never Alone
Jesus does not send you on this mission alone or without power. He assures you that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him, and He promises to be with you always. This means you can step out with confidence and courage, knowing that the King of kings goes before you, equips you, and stands beside you in every conversation and every act of love. Even when you feel afraid or inadequate, remember that Jesus’ presence and authority remove every excuse and empower you to be faithful. [14:52]
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: What fear or hesitation is holding you back from sharing Jesus? How does knowing He is with you change your perspective?
Day 5: Faithfulness in the Ordinary
God’s mission is carried out not by extraordinary people, but by ordinary people who are willing to be faithful in the everyday moments of life. Whether you are reading the Bible with your children, inviting a neighbor to church, or showing kindness to a stranger, you are participating in God’s work of redemption. You may not always see the impact, but your faithfulness matters. Keep sowing, keep loving, and keep trusting that God is using your life to invite others to His table and to show them that they belong. [19:45]
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Reflection: What is one ordinary act of faithfulness you can do today to show someone that they belong and are loved by God?
Quotes
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