What is the Great Commission? | Matthew 28:16-20
Series: All!
Jesus has all authority,
So that all nations
Might pledge all allegiance to him.
Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20, Title: “What is the Great Commission?
Bottom line: Based on Christ’s authority and promised presence, his followers are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey Jesus’ commands. (Largely based on David Platt’s main idea)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
SERMON OUTLINE & NOTES
MAIN REFERENCES USED
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process:
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?
Who am I going to tell about this?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Q. What do I want them to know?
A. What the Great Commission is.
Q. Why do I want them to know it?
A. Because we’re called to follow it all our life.
Q. What do I want them to do about it?
A. Obey it to the fullest.
Q. Why do I want them to do it?
A. Because it’s for our good, the world’s good, and God’s glory.
Q. How can they begin to do this?
A. By asking people how you can pray for them.
SERMON OUTLINE & NOTES
Introduction
Kevin at Chickfila
Today at Chickfila (8/25/23), former member (?) Kevin Darby came out from the kitchen to catch me as I walked through to tell me that he’d been a part of leading someone to Christ (not sure if in person or online). He said that this person called themself a former Christian for a time. Kevin discerned that he was probably never a Christian but an intellectual or false Christian. Anyway, over time, Kevin challenged him to move from the head knowledge to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He eventually did and reached out to tell Kevin. He also told Kevin that he was the main reason. Kevin had tears in his eyes as he told me.
Kevin is one who likes the intellectual debates about scripture and faith. He and I have had our debates over the years. But what seems to have gotten Kevin’s attention is that God used him to change a life. And he somehow associated his years at Grace as a reminder and impetus to point people to a saving relationship with Jesus. And after all these years he wanted to affirm me and our ministry by testifying to what God did for that young man.
I told Kevin how happy I was for him to have been a part of that. I told him that I wasn’t surprised because he’d been so faithful to share Christ wherever he went. His tears told me he needed to hear that—to be affirmed.
Isn’t that interesting. God saves a young man through the testimony of one of his followers. And he ministers to the one who shared as much as he did the one he saved. God is always at work. And he’s working in so many ways at the same time. It’s never just what’s in front of us.
What is the Great Commission? It is the greatest of missions that God could call his people to. It’s not just a command—it’s a way of life. It’s the way to true life. It’s the way, the truth and the life. It’s our greatest calling! It’s the great adventure!
Last week we saw the victory of resurrection with a hint towards this week which is his authoritative command to make disciples and promise to always be with us.
It’s Jesus’ final words to his disciples before leaving to sit in the place of ultimate authority at the right hand of the Father. It’s why when we are saved we are not immediately swept up to heaven. It’s unfinished business—the unfinished task of the Church today.
It will get finished, however. One day someone from every tongue and tribe and nation will know the Lord. And then the end will come. Our task is to pray, send, give and go to the nations with the gospel until this task is finished.
So it’s a commission—a mission we do together. It’s what follows Jesus’ earthly ministry because Jesus leaves it to us to become our earthly ministry. We won’t do this in heaven, after all.
Bottom line: Based on Christ’s authority and promised presence, his followers are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey Jesus’ commands.
Nicky Gumbel wrote: “Matthew’s Gospel starts by stating that Jesus is ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23). In the very last verse of the Gospel, Jesus affirms his eternal ongoing presence with all of his followers. To those who believe and obey Jesus’ command, he promises, ‘I am with you always’ (28:20b).”
Conclusion
Bottom line: Based on Christ’s authority and promised presence, his followers are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey Jesus’ commands.
We are Disciples • catalyticministries.com
WE ARE THE UNDERGROUND CHURCH.
We don't just tell stories of the underground church, we are the underground church.
WE OFFER OUR BODIES AS LIVING SACRIFICES.
To love Him so much that nothing else matters. He is worth it all.
WE WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO REACH PEOPLE IN THE DARKEST PLACES.
To reach people no one is reaching, we'll have to do things no one is doing.
WE ALWAYS BRING OUR BEST THROUGH THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT.
To be set apart with integrity honors God and inspires people.
WE GIVE UP THINGS WE LOVE FOR THINGS WE LOVE EVEN MORE.
It's an honor to sacrifice for Christ.
WE ARE DISCIPLE-MAKERS AND WE EXIST FOR THE WORLD.
If we don't love radically and live with integrity then we have nothing.
WE ARE FAITH-FILLED, MULTIPLYING, OBEDIENT RISK-TAKERS FOR JESUS.
We won't insult God with small thinking and safe living.
WE WILL LEAD THE WAY WITH PROFOUND GENEROSITY.
Unconditional love and family are our heartbeat. Generosity is the blood flow.
WE DON'T JUST SURVIVE PERSECUTION, WE THRIVE.
Whether well fed or hungry, rich or poor, in persecution or freedom, east or the west, we will be content in Jesus and make disciples.
WE WILL MAKE FAMILY, NOT DESTROY THEM.
Nothing is more fun than serving God with the people you love.
DEAD PEOPLE DON'T HAVE OPINIONS.
Our opinions are His opinions, we will seek first and represent His Kingdom always.
Maybe you need help with your next step. Here’s a suggestion for everyone:
Take out a welcome card or any piece of paper you have handy.
You can do this in the chat online as well.
You can text this to me as well at 843-830-2464. My name is Darien Gabriel.
Put your name on it. Then put a letter at the top:
A- Already believing and following Christ.
B- Believing today for the first time.
C- Considering believing and following Jesus Christ.
D- Declining to follow Jesus Christ at this time.
E- Exploring full-time missions or ministry.
Add your name and cell and I will personally follow up with you to see how I can help.
How can I get started today?
By asking at least one person a day, how can I pray for you today? And then praying for them (and with them if led).
“How can I pray for you today? [pause] May I pray for you right now?”
3 of 8 billion say they are Christians. What about the other 5?
https://twitter.com/visualcap/status/1647012029159309313?s=12&t=idl32xYvZ1Ibm1ALWyhYlg
People should know your church is in the community.
They should be glad your church is in the community.
And they should be better because your church is in the community.
-Dave Adamson
Pray
NOTES
David Platt notes
Main idea: “Based on Christ’s authority and His promised presence, His followers are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe Jesus’ commands.”
I. We will believe in the authority of Christ. His authority compels us to go!
II. We will obey the command of Christ.
Not a comfortable call to come and sit.
An costly call to go, baptize and make disciples of all nations
We share the word; in word AND deed
We show the word; “baptizing” is public profession
We teach the word; “to obey/follow”
We serve the worLd; “nations”
Around the corner and around the world; cf. Acts 1:8
III. We will depend on the presence of Christ.
Nicky Gumbel notes
I have found that there is nothing greater in life than to experience the sense of the presence of the resurrected Jesus.
The risen Jesus commissions his followers to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ (v.19a). This is our calling as individuals and as a church community. The vision statement of our church is ‘to play our part in the evangelisation of the nations, the revitalisation of the church and the transformation of society’. It is based on this command of Jesus.
Together with the command comes a promise: ‘I am with you always’ (v.20b). The resurrection isn’t just an historical fact or religious idea; it is a life-changing reality. God promises that as you go about fulfilling his commission, the presence of the resurrected Jesus goes with you.
When the women see the empty tomb the angel tells them, ‘He is not here; he has risen… you will see him’ (vv.6–7).
Filled with ‘great joy’ they ran to tell the disciples. As they did so, ‘Jesus met them’ (v.9). They experienced the presence of the risen Jesus (vv.8–10), ‘clasped his feet’ (v.9) and worshipped him as God (vv.9b,17a).
The attempts of others to explain away the empty tomb began very early on (v.13) and, in spite of all the evidence, not everyone believed (v.17b). It was suggested that ‘his disciples… stole him away while [the soldiers] were asleep’ (v.13). Some people still postulate this explanation. But it does not fit the evidence:
The disciples were discouraged and frightened. Only the miracle of the resurrection could have transformed them
They did not expect Jesus to rise from the dead. They had no motive to steal the body
The tomb was heavily guarded (27:62–66)
They were not the only ones who saw Jesus. Many others saw him after the resurrection and interacted with him over a period of forty days (Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:6)
If the disciples did steal the body, their whole lives thereafter were based on a lie. My friend Ian Walker, a Cambridge scientist, became a Christian because he could not believe that the disciples would have been willing to be tortured and put to death for something they would have known was not true.
It really is true. Jesus is risen. Death and burial are not the end. In Christ, you too will be raised from the dead.
It was women who were the first to be entrusted with the message of the resurrection. This is particularly noteworthy since women at the time were not considered valid witnesses in court…
Matthew’s Gospel starts by stating that Jesus is ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23). In the very last verse of the Gospel, Jesus affirms his eternal ongoing presence with all of his followers. To those who believe and obey Jesus’ command, he promises, ‘I am with you always’ (28:20b).
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes
“Matthew” by RC Sproul
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)
Outline Bible, D Willmington
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app
ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt