Reviving Our Commitment to the Great Commission
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound question: "Do we care?" This question challenges us to examine our commitment to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. We began by acknowledging the creeping apathy within the modern church, where passion for Bible study, prayer, and worship has waned. The church has often become a social club rather than a transformative force. We must ask ourselves if we truly care about being witnesses for Christ and fulfilling His command to make disciples of all nations.
The Great Commission, as outlined in Matthew 28:18-20, is not a suggestion but a command. We are called to share the Gospel with everyone, driven by love and a desire for all to come to salvation. This requires us to overcome excuses and step out in faith, as 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Our faith should be active, trusting in God's Word and acting on it despite circumstances or consequences.
We also discussed the importance of having a personal testimony and the power it holds in witnessing to others. Our testimony is a testament to the transformative power of Jesus in our lives. If we lack a testimony, it is time to reflect on our relationship with Christ. Romans 10:9-11 emphasizes the necessity of confessing and believing in Jesus for salvation.
Furthermore, we examined the urgency of the Great Commission in light of the second coming of Christ. Matthew 24:14 makes it clear that the Gospel must be preached to all nations before the end comes. We must be proactive in sharing the hope we have in Jesus, driven by love for God and our neighbors, as commanded in Matthew 22:37-40.
Finally, we addressed the importance of prayer and worship. Our prayers should be fervent and effectual, free from unconfessed sin, and aligned with God's will. Worship should be genuine, not a routine or obligation. We must engage with God wholeheartedly, seeking His presence with expectancy and joy.
Key Takeaways:
- Apathy in the Church: The modern church often struggles with apathy, losing its passion for Bible study, prayer, and worship. We must reignite our commitment to being transformative forces in the world, not just social clubs. [02:48]
- The Great Commission: The command to make disciples is not optional. We are called to share the Gospel with everyone, driven by love and a desire for all to come to salvation. This requires overcoming excuses and stepping out in faith. [04:22]
- Power of Testimony: Our personal testimony is a powerful tool in witnessing to others. It reflects the transformative power of Jesus in our lives. If we lack a testimony, we must reflect on our relationship with Christ. [07:26]
- Urgency of the Gospel: The Gospel must be preached to all nations before the end comes. We must be proactive in sharing the hope we have in Jesus, driven by love for God and our neighbors. [10:12]
- Prayer and Worship: Our prayers should be fervent and aligned with God's will. Worship should be genuine, not routine. We must engage with God wholeheartedly, seeking His presence with expectancy and joy. [21:10]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:48] - Do We Care About Being a Witness?
- [04:22] - The Great Commission
- [05:04] - Overcoming Excuses
- [06:39] - Faith and Obedience
- [07:26] - The Power of Testimony
- [08:16] - Assurance of Salvation
- [09:16] - The Only Way to Salvation
- [10:12] - The Urgency of the Gospel
- [11:52] - Love and the Great Commandment
- [13:55] - Loving All People
- [14:43] - The Depth of God's Love
- [15:33] - The Redeeming Work of the Cross
- [18:00] - Importance of Discipleship
- [21:10] - Do We Care About Prayer?
- [23:15] - Effectual Prayer
- [25:07] - The Role of Worship
- [27:56] - True Worship
- [30:24] - Worship in Spirit and Truth
- [31:22] - The Importance of Gathering
- [33:11] - The Great White Throne Judgment
- [35:42] - The Call to Action
- [36:54] - Answering the Question: Do We Care?
- [39:20] - Closing Prayer and Call to Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 28:18-20
- 2 Timothy 1:7
- Romans 10:9-11
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Matthew 28:18-20, what specific actions are we commanded to take as part of the Great Commission? How does this passage define our role as disciples? [02:48]
2. In 2 Timothy 1:7, what spirit has God given us, and how does this contrast with the spirit of fear? How does this empower us to fulfill the Great Commission? [05:04]
3. Romans 10:9-11 emphasizes the importance of confessing and believing in Jesus for salvation. What does this passage say about the assurance of salvation for those who believe? [08:16]
4. How does the sermon describe the current state of the modern church in terms of apathy and passion for Bible study, prayer, and worship? [02:48]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 challenge the modern church's tendency to become a social club rather than a transformative force? [02:48]
2. In what ways does 2 Timothy 1:7 encourage believers to overcome excuses and step out in faith? How can this be applied to our daily lives? [05:04]
3. Romans 10:9-11 speaks about the necessity of confessing and believing in Jesus. How does this passage relate to the concept of having a personal testimony? [08:16]
4. The sermon discusses the urgency of the Great Commission in light of the second coming of Christ. How does this urgency impact our approach to sharing the Gospel? [10:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal commitment to the Great Commission. What specific steps can you take this week to share the Gospel with someone in your life? [04:22]
2. Consider the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7. How can you rely on this spirit to overcome fear and boldly witness to others? [05:04]
3. Evaluate your personal testimony. How has Jesus transformed your life, and how can you use your story to witness to others? If you feel you lack a testimony, what steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ? [07:26]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of fervent and effectual prayer. How can you improve your prayer life to align more closely with God's will? What specific changes can you make to ensure your prayers are genuine and heartfelt? [21:10]
5. Reflect on your worship experience. Are there areas where you have become complacent or routine in your worship? How can you engage more wholeheartedly with God during worship services? [27:56]
6. The sermon calls for a renewed commitment to discipleship. Identify one person in your church or community whom you can mentor or disciple. What steps will you take to invest in their spiritual growth? [18:00]
7. The sermon challenges us to care deeply about the lost. How can you cultivate a heart that is burdened for those who do not know Christ? What practical actions can you take to demonstrate God's love to them? [15:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Reignite Passion for Spiritual Practices
In today's world, the church often faces the challenge of apathy, where the fervor for Bible study, prayer, and worship has diminished. This lack of passion can lead to the church becoming more of a social gathering rather than a transformative force in the world. It is crucial for believers to reignite their commitment to these spiritual practices, recognizing their role in personal and communal transformation. By doing so, the church can fulfill its mission to be a light in the world, actively engaging in the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. [02:48]
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to reignite your passion for Bible study, prayer, or worship?
Day 2: Embrace the Call to Make Disciples
The Great Commission is a clear command from Jesus to make disciples of all nations, not a mere suggestion. This call requires believers to share the Gospel with everyone, driven by love and a desire for all to come to salvation. Overcoming excuses and stepping out in faith are essential to fulfilling this mission. Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit, as 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, to act with power, love, and a sound mind. This active faith involves trusting in God's Word and acting on it, regardless of circumstances or consequences. [04:22]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can share the Gospel with this week, and what steps will you take to do so?
Day 3: Share Your Personal Testimony
A personal testimony is a powerful tool in witnessing to others, as it reflects the transformative power of Jesus in one's life. If a believer lacks a testimony, it is an opportunity to reflect on their relationship with Christ. Romans 10:9-11 emphasizes the necessity of confessing and believing in Jesus for salvation. Sharing one's testimony can inspire others and demonstrate the reality of God's work in the world. It is a testament to the hope and change that Jesus brings, encouraging others to seek a relationship with Him. [07:26]
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can share your personal testimony with someone this week?
Day 4: Recognize the Urgency of the Gospel
The urgency of the Great Commission is underscored by the second coming of Christ. Matthew 24:14 makes it clear that the Gospel must be preached to all nations before the end comes. This urgency calls believers to be proactive in sharing the hope they have in Jesus, driven by love for God and their neighbors. The Great Commandment, as outlined in Matthew 22:37-40, emphasizes loving God and others, which should motivate believers to share the Gospel with urgency and compassion. [10:12]
"Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11, ESV)
Reflection: How can you prioritize sharing the Gospel in your daily life, and what changes might you need to make to do so?
Day 5: Engage in Genuine Prayer and Worship
Prayer and worship are vital components of a believer's spiritual life. Prayers should be fervent and aligned with God's will, free from unconfessed sin. Worship should be genuine, not a routine or obligation. Believers are called to engage with God wholeheartedly, seeking His presence with expectancy and joy. This genuine engagement in prayer and worship strengthens one's relationship with God and empowers believers to live out their faith authentically. [21:10]
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)
Reflection: What changes can you make in your prayer and worship practices to ensure they are genuine and heartfelt?
Quotes
"In my very first sermon that I preached here at first baptist church I challenged you with two simple yet profound questions I asked are we ready to change the world and then I followed that up with are we willing to do whatever it takes today I'm asking something even more pressing do we truly want to change the world or have we grown comfortable with the way things are let me simplify that for you do we care how many times have we been asked that question in our lives we've heard it in our relationships in our workplaces and in those moments that define who we are but for us this morning here's the real question do we ask it enough in the church do we as a church care do we care if we're being obedient to the church or do we care if we're being obedient to the church after our months and months and weeks of being bent on following the sequence of lives do we care if we may be tasteful we care if we follow god's commandments and if we will be honest with ourselves and if we take a hard look at the modern american church we will see a sobering reality the disease of apathy has crept in and it has taken root my time as serving as a pastor I've noticed several troubling trends within the bodybrawer member of mass pumping for 동्ärt" [00:00:30]
"Now commission is defined as an instruction a command or a duty given to a person or group of people and this is exactly what we find in matthew chapter 28 verses 18 through 20 and jesus came and spoke to them saying all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth 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 things that i have commanded you and lo i am with you always even to the end of the age amen and here we see jesus commissioning us to go out and share the gospel to go and make disciples of all nations and church that word go is an action verb is an order and it is not a suggestion amen" [00:02:56]
"2 Timothy 1, verse 7 says, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. It is time for the church to stop making excuses. No more justifying our complacency or allowing it in others. As followers of Christ, we are called to live with purpose and conviction to reflect His love through actions, not in our words alone. So this morning, let's stop accepting the excuses that we make for not fulfilling our calling and start holding ourselves to the standard Jesus set." [00:05:20]
"See, we all have a story of how Jesus changed our lives. And our testimony is one of the most powerful witnessing tools in our efforts to share the Gospel with others. See, we don't have to have overcome some great adversity in our lives to have a powerful witness, to have a powerful testimony. And this morning, if you're sitting here and you're looking at me going, well, preacher, I don't have a testimony. It's time to take a good, hard look at yourself. Because when you have an encounter with Jesus Christ, the Most High, it changes you. And it should stick out in your mind." [00:07:38]
"Matthew chapter 24, verse 14, Jesus said these words, And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. This verse in the Gospel of Matthew makes sense. it clear that christ will not return until the entire world has heard the gospel message we like to lament about the state of the world and we should all desire to see the second coming of christ and yet the church is not being faithful to do the work that has been left to it it has been nearly 2 000 years since jesus gave the this command and yet the great commission has not been completed so the question still stands do we care see we should all be excited to seek opportunities to share the hope that we have in jesus christ we can clearly see that this world is without hope and it is sin sick and we have the message of true hope how dare we not share it shame on us if we do not share it" [00:10:22]
"Romans chapter 10, verses 9 through 11 tell us that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes into righteousness and with the mouth confession is made into salvation. For the Scripture says, whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. Church, there is no other way to be saved. There are no magic words we can say. There is only Jesus and our acknowledgement of His Lordship." [00:08:55]
"Matthew chapter 22 verses 37 through 40 tell us this and jesus said to him you shall love the lord your god with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind this is the first a great commandment and the second is like it you shall love your neighbor as yourself on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets and so if we intentionally keep the great commandment we are going to be burdened and to be intentional about fulfilling the great commission because if we don't love god and if we don't love people then we will not be be burdened to keep His commandments or fulfill our mission." [00:11:52]
"See, faith operates quite simply. God speaks, and we hear His Word. We trust in His Word and act on it no matter what the circumstances are or what the consequences are. The circumstances may be impossible and the consequences frightening and unknown, but we obey God's Word just the same as we believe Him to do what is right and what is best. Amen? Amen? Hebrews 11, verse 6. But without faith, it is impossible to please Him. For he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. So it is important that we have faith and boldly move forward in obedience." [00:06:35]
"Church, I tell you this morning, God is not pleased with passive, lifeless attendance. He is worthy of our praise. Amen? Amen? He is worthy of our deepest reverence and our full attention. Psalm 96 .9 says, O worship the Lord in beauty of holiness. Tremble before Him all the earth. When is the last time that we trembled before God in awe of His holiness? When is the last time our hearts were moved not by the music or the preacher, but by the presence of God Himself? The God that we serve and worship is not full of us. He is not fooled by our outward displays because He looks at the heart. And if our hearts are filled with distractions, pride, or complacency, then our worship is hollow and meaningless." [00:29:27]
"Luke chapter 9 verse 1 and 2 then he called his 12 disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases and he sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick and to heal the sick here we see Christ sending out the 12 during his ministry the great commission has not been given yet and yet Jesus still sends the 12 out during their discipleship training process this was an opportunity for the 12 to put into practice everything that they had learned everything they had observed and so the church must model discipleship from the example of Jesus amen church must train equip disciples to go out equip and send people out because if we're not sending people out all we're doing is fellowshipping maybe having bible study see we can't leave any of these steps out in the discipleship process if we truly care and as a church we must care if we're helping our brothers and sisters in Christ go closer to him amen amen it is time that we become a disciple making church but we can't make disciples until we are first disciples ourselves amen" [00:19:48]
"Another issue that I've noticed in the church as a whole is a lack of prayer. So do we care about prayer here at First Baptist? How's your personal prayer life this morning? Do you have a personal prayer life? Do you simply treat God like Santa Claus, simply coming to him with your wish list of things that you want for yourselves? Or are your prayers an act of worship intimately seeking his will? Strengthening your relationship with him? See, church, we should be on our knees day and night interceding on behalf of others. Praying that people in our lives come to the saving knowledge of Jesus and that they find their victory in Jesus. After all, James 5, verse 16 says, Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." [00:21:10]
"Therefore we either allow the perfect and finished work of the cross to fulfill this price or we will have to pay the price ourselves for all eternity but god in his infinite grace and mercy continues to offer us an incredible opportunity and that is to make a lasting impact for his kingdom see god he's not done with us yet he is still calling for us to step forward and to be instruments of his transformation in this world as second peter chapter 3 verse 9 tells us the lord is not slack concerning his promise that some count slackness but is long suffering toward us not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance that's an incredible statement in fact that statement should make you want to jump up and shout hallelujah this morning god desires that everybody comes to salvation" [00:16:58]
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