The Great Commission

Introduction

This month we have been talking about Missions

We first talked about Abraham and how he was called to the nations and how God is a God of all the nations

Then last week we talked about practical ways that we can evangelize from the Book of Acts

A powerful story that embodies all four points is Hudson Taylor’s call to China (founder of China Inland Mission). His life neatly reflects your four outline themes from Matthew 28:16–20:

1. Commit as a Disciple Before Hudson Taylor ever set foot in China, he disciplined himself as a devoted disciple. As a young man in England, he practiced living simply — eating plain food, sleeping on hard surfaces, and giving away money — so that he would be fully committed to Christ above comfort.

2. Carry Christ’s Authority Taylor felt the weight of Christ’s authority when he read Jesus’ words, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Against family resistance and poor health, he trusted not in his own credentials but in Christ’s command and commission. That authority gave him courage to go where few Western missionaries dared.

3. Create Disciples Once in China, Taylor focused not just on preaching but on making disciples. He adopted Chinese dress, learned the language, and trained local believers. His goal was multiplication — raising up Chinese Christians who could disciple others, not just converts dependent on foreign missionaries.

4. Know Christ’s Nearness Taylor faced famine, riots, loss of children, and even the Boxer Rebellion’s violence. Through it all, he leaned on Christ’s presence. His motto became, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” He was sustained by the promise, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16–20 NIV

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”

Body

Commit as a Disciple

Matthew 28:16–17 NIV

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

We see here in this passage that there is only 11. Matthew intentionally puts this here. He could have put only the disciples.

Judas had walked with Christ ministered in his name but did not know him

There are many people in this world. Pastors, people who have been in church for years or even headed ministries that are not truly disciples with Christ.

So the first step we have to ask ourselves in this passage that is pointed to for missions so often is are you truly a disciple.

Are you truly following Christ in your everyday life?

we also see here that they worshiped him which is the main goal of missions as well is to worship God

Carry Christ’s Authority

Matthew 28:18 NIV

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me

We see here that Jesus is purposely stating his authority right before he gives them this commission

The disciples knew that they had to go in Christ authority when going out into these missions

We have to do the same thing

God might call one of you to be missionaries or into mission work it is vital that we do this in the authority of Christ

if we go out in our own authority we will fall flat every time

we will be trying to do things in our power rather than the power of Christ

Only Christ can protect us and guide us by his authority. Only Christ has the authority to bind up spirits and change hearts of those we come in contact with

Create Disciples

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV

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.”

therefore

This gets to the part that most people focus on the most in the great commission but every part is important

But when people see this they focus most on the go part most of the times

When we look at the grammar in the English and the Greek the main verb here is making disciples

So making disciples is the whole point of everything else

the other three parts are the ways that we make disciples

But this is important when we are thinking about missions because if we are going to do missions to bring water, or food, or build a school this is good but this should be done with the ultimate goal of making disciples of Christ.

But with this we are all commanded to make disciples of the nations

Money

Prayer

Going short term

Going long term for some

There is still 3,000 unreached/unengaged people groups. about 300 million people

The money that is spent to reach these people is the same amount as the money spent in America for Halloween costumes for pets

Claim Christ’s Presence

Matthew 28:20 NIV

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.”

This is where we see that Christ is always with us when we are going as well.

Christ encourages the disciples that he will be with them till the end of the age

We can be encouraged by this as well. Christ is with us when we are going

If God calls you back to India to minister he will be with you

Conclusion

Commit as a Disciple

Carry Christ’s Authority

Create Disciples

Claim Christ’s Presence

Why is it important that we are disciples before we step into mission or evangelism?

Why is it important that we carry Christ’s authority when going?

Why is it important that we are all called to make disciples to the nations?

What are some practical ways that we can fulfill this calling in our lives right now?

Do you think you might be called to go to the nations for a long time? (They can answer this just to themselves)

Why is it important that we know God is with us when we are going to make disciples?