GO

Scripture

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Introduction:

(Story about John Henry Readus)

There is not no doubt that most Christians are aware of the need to share the gospel. If I surveyed everyone in this room today, and asked the question, “Would you like everyone to be saved?” the answer would be a resounding yes! If I asked you to consider your family and your neighbors and their need for Christ, many of us will give a resounding Amen. And then we would probably hear answers like this:

I keep inviting them to church but they never come.

They’re just not into church

I’ve been praying for God to send the right person to them.

According to a Barna Study in 1993 only 10% of chrisitians believed that sharing the gospel was the job of the local church. Why? Because the thought then was that the responsibility to share the gospel was with each individual.

When asked about the this statement “Every Christian has a responsibility to share their faith” 89% percent believed it was their job. Today only 64% believe this to be the case.

What happened that sharing faith being an absolute must has declined among the believer?

According to Barna, among Millenials 47% actually believe it is wrong to share your faith with the intention of converting someone of a different faith.

The rise of secularism and other factors have made it seem to be a complicated process to share the gospel with someone. But this morning, Jesus is simplifying it for us. He gives us one word… Go!

SS: “Go!”

I. Go with Confidence!

Matthew 28:18 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

ἐξουσία

That word exousia means jurisdiction and ruling authority. Jesus cements his authority first and foremost has he gives the great commission.

Many times fear will paralyze us and keep us from sharing the gospel.

What if they reject me?”

What if they don’t approve of me?

We shy away sometimes needing the approval of society and others. We try to thread the needle between being saved but “Not to radical”. But God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Christ is not calling a church to inclusivity or acceptance from the world. He is calling bold men and women to spread his gospel in his authority!

Joel 2:28–32 NKJV

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 32 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.

Christ authority is not based on how eloquent or confident we are. It is not predicated on how outgoing or charismatic we are.

We simply have to trust Christ and be empowered by the Holy Ghost.

Acts 1:8 NKJV

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Romans 1:16 NKJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

You many feel:

afraid

unqualified

inadequate

afraid of rejection

But God is calling you to go with confidence.

Power Principle: He did not ask us to save. He simply asked us to go!

II. Living life on the GO! (While you are living life)

TYNS: I’m living life on the Go!

Matthew 28:19 NKJV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

This phrase can be interpreted as “While you are going”, make disciples. It indicates that discipleship and out reach are things that should be interwoven into the fabric of our lives.

While you are working

While we are parenting

While we are serving

While we are having recreation

While we are going about our day to day lives we should be evangelizing.

Putting together oversees missions is great. But serving your own families and communities is more impressive.

Serving where there are no accolades and recognition.

Serving where people may never know your name.

Serving where there is no opportunity for a selfie.

Caring for those who are in close proximity

It amazes me how many people will spend money time effort and coordination on a one time or once a year “mission trip” experience. Yet, they put not effort into the souls they encounter every day.

Are the souls in our zip codes less valuable? Are the lives under our own rooftops not as important? There are many whom God has called to do missionary work over sees. That is their calling. However the mission feel starts in Judea.

TYNS: Your mission field …. Is where you are.. My mission field… is where I am. If they don’t make it to church, wherever I am.. God dwells.

2 Corinthians 5:20 NKJV

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Colossians 4:5–6 NKJV

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Matthew 5:14–16 NKJV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

In Acts chapter 8 we see Phillip (not a pastor, not an ordained bishop, but a deacon come in contact with an official from Ethiopia.

Because he was led by the spirit, Ethiopia or Nubia was taken for Christ. in 333 AD it was as the official state religion of Ethiopia

A prayer for a coworker, sharing your testimony, serving people, being prepared to answer biblical questions and yes also inviting someone to church.

III. Go make disciples

Our mission is to make disciples. Many times our mindset toward this process is not incorrect but incomplete.

Yes, Jesus command goes far beyond what many understand.

Make Disciples. Disciple: Learner, follower, someone growing and transforming in Christ. We are not moving toward a moment but onward to a higher goal.

Power Principle: We are not finished with someone prays the sinners prayer. Our work has just begun. It is not a point-in-time but a process to our purpose.

Luke 9:23 NKJV

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Ephesians 4:11–13 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV

2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Acts 2:42 NKJV

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

IV. Conclusion: We (Go in the Spirit’s Power)

When we go, we must realize it will not be without opposition. But as we go we must remember we do not God alone.

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Acts 18:9–10 NKJV

9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

Matthew 28:20 NKJV

20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.