The Gospel of the Kingdom
Notes
Transcript
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 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,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Great Commission of Jesus Christ for His followers to make disciples through evangelism (that leads to baptism-salvation) and teaching (the Gospel).
Jesus said: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
That discipleship that God calls us to is a discipleship that encompasses the presence of Jesus (God with us!)
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
This commission given by Jesus is a commission of action. It is also a commission that has with it a promise.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The commission to make disciples is enabled through the promise of the Father of empower believers to boldly and effectively reach to the world with the Gospel message of Christ.
THIS CHURCH IS CALLED TO REACH THE WORLD!!!
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
If this is the heart of God, it needs to be our hearts also!!!
But what about sending people into the mission field? is there a Biblical framework for this?
The church at Antioch gives us an important example for fulfilling the Great Commission.
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Every believer is called to fulfill the Great Commission of being proclaimers of the Gospel (good news of Jesus Christ).
But not everyone is able to go the nations of the world—but some of us can!
In prayer, worship, and fasting—the church in Antioch received from the Holy Spirit clear direction: SET APART for me Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work (of disciple making).
The church obeyed and “sent them off.”
So, we see clearly that the church understood and took seriously the calling of Christ to make discipleship (engage in evangelism and discipleship)—and we see that the church was called to send people to specific ministry to the nations (missionaries).
But there is one other demonstration we see in the church—supporting missionaries financially.
16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
We see in Scripture the importance of giving in support of ministry—and that includes missions!
5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
Giving to missions must be from a compassionate heart centered on the advancement of the Gospel.
Conclusion
We are to appreciate and practice missions (the Great Commission).
We are to pray and follow the direction of the Holy Spirit (the Great Commission).
We are to go and make disciples—and for some, this may mean to answer the missionary call.
We are to give and support our missionaries.
Faith Promise
We ask God what he wants us to give.
We respond with obedience in giving to missions.
We pray for our missionaries.
Offering