Walking in Obedience to the Great Commission

INTRODUCTION

Last lesson for our June theme: Walking in Obedience

Today we look at the Great Commission

Central Idea

As followers of Christ, we are called to walk in obedience to the Great Commission by sharing the Gospel, baptizing and making disciples. Teaching others to obey all that Christ has commanded us.

OBJECTIVES

Understanding the Great Commission

It’s Importance

Overcoming Obstacles

Understanding the Great Commission

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.”

Mandate, charge, commandment to “make disciples of all nations” given by Christ to his disciples following his death and resurrection (Matt. 28:16–20; Mark 16:15–18; Luke 24:46–49; John 20:21–23; Acts 1:8).

Because Christ has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:19), the Great Commission is to be taken with the utmost seriousness by ALL of his disciples, “to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

In Christ, all distinctions between Jew and Gentile disappear (Rom. 10:12–13; Gal. 3:28).

Galatians 3:28 ESV

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Importance of the Great Commission

Ephesians 3:8–10 ESV

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

2 Corinthians 4:6–7 ESV

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

All believers who obeyed the Gospel in the 1st century Church received the message from a Christian.

Galatians 1:8–9 ESV

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Overcoming Obstacles

Fear of rejection, biblical illiteracy, lack of confidence

What is in my control and what is outside my control

CONCLUSION

By walking in obedience to the Great Commission, we not only fulfill our purpose as followers of Christ but also participate in the transformation of lives and nations through the power of the Gospel. Let us heed the call to go, make disciples, and teach obedience, trusting in God's guidance and strength every step of the way.