The Great Commission :: The Church’s Mission
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Main Message: We were called into righteousness through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And as we are new creation, we have a new calling. The Great Commission speaks about the new calling being: making disciples as we go through this life. Simply, if this was important for God, it should be important to us.
Passage: Mark 16:14-20; Isaiah 42:6-7; Matthew 22:34-40, 28:19-20; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:21, 14:16-17.
This is the last sermon of the gospel of Mark.
Our goal was to:
Get to know Jesus
Remind us of the miracles
Grow closer in our relationship with God
We remember the last words Jesus spoke on the cross before his death. And it is important to know the first command he gives to the disciples before Jesus ascends into heaven.
Everyone remembers Jesus’ last words on the cross, and we went over the words after the resurrection.
Today we look at the last command that Jesus gave to his disciples, and to the new converts.
14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
A few lessons that believers remember Jesus speak. And some churches establish their vision upon those statements.
Jesus gives the Great Command, and the Great Commission.
The Great Command: People God, love People
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
The Great Commission: Go, and make disciples.
But there’s more it! Each gospel agrees on the Great Command, but it’s a bit different with the GC. What is it that we need to do?
Part 1: Where did the command come from?
Part 1: Where did the command come from?
The phrase “Great Commission” was introduced later, after the gospels were written. After the four gospels were included in the canon, we see the popularity of the statement grow with time.
The Great Commission did not originate from the New Testament. It has OT references.
Genesis - Adam is to rule and subdue the earth (kingship and rule)
The very beginning in Genesis, we see the idea and purpose of what the Great Commission stood for.
Genesis 22 - Through Abraham’s seed, the nations will be saved
6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
After Jesus’ ascension:
The new found church was exercising their calling by establishing their ministry in neighbouring territories. At that time, they were considered nations (go to all the nations)
In today’s age:
We have many missions agencies and denominations that base their vision and identity upon the last passages of the gospels.
Theory: Jesus will only come once every ear will hear. So we have to send out everyone into ALL nations.
Popular mission: 10/40 window.
People turn to accept the calling and make their lives about this Great Commission
ICA was founded upon the statement of going to all nations! Post Soviet Era included.
Part 2: Different messages that we see in the gospels:
Part 2: Different messages that we see in the gospels:
Even through we have four gospels that speak about the same Jesus, somehow the Great Commission differs a little bit. So let’s look at them together:
Matthew:
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Go, presumes action
Make disciples of all nations, including the pagan and the gentiles (meaning, conversion)
Baptize them in the holy trinity (teach them new ways)
The first century church has focused on the truths of these statements. And Jesus, being the cornerstone of the church - has commissioned to make disciples as we GO.
Luke:
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Opened their minds to understand
Fulfillment of the Scripture
You are witnesses
I am sending you with my Father’s promise
These are a little bit different truths, yet it is conveying the same message:
“The Father has sent me, so I am sending you”
Jesus cared for people as he preached about the kingdom of God. It is not “one or the other”
John:
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
My Father sent me to you
I am sending you to everyone else
Luke and John are very close in their message on the Great Commision.
Part 3: Drawing the conclusion
Part 3: Drawing the conclusion
So what is it really? What is the one command we need to do?
If there is good news, there is probably the bad news.
vv15-16 speaks about the consequences.
As always, Jesus spoke about The Helper:
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
The Spirit will help us as we exercise the Great Commission:
As we go, make more of yourself (disciples of Jesus)
Share the good news in your surrounding (the culture changes, the truth stays the same)
You are being called (everyone has a calling upon their lives, it’s different with everyone)
You are being sent (Not everyone is called to be a missionary, but everyone is called to be a witness to God’s goodness)
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
God’s great mission is the extension of His character
The Great Commission is communal as it is individual calling
If it was important to God, it should be important to us
The Great Commission is not exclusive to missionaries and pastors
You can begin exercising the Great Commission TODAY!
