Evangelism Today: Final Instructions

Sermon Series: Evangelism Today

EVANGELISM TODAY

Wk #3: Final Instructions

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20 James 5:7-12

• First, Jesus says, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples” (vv. 18-19a). This is imperative—we must make disciples of Jesus Christ, who comes to us in authority. Everything the church does— fellowship, worship, recreation, community service, and acts of social justice—must align with the imperative to make disciples.

We have become immune to the phrase because we’ve heard it so many times. Jesus told us that our first obligation is to help people become followers of Jesus! It is the final instruction.

• The second aspect as Jesus states it is to “make disciples of all nations” (v. 19b). There is no limit to whom we are reaching, those of every age, station, and situation in life.

As we do evangelism, we tend to focus on certain groups—groups that are like us, those with whom we can communicate— and there’s no problem with that, but we must understand that, in reality, our field is unlimited. Jesus says that we are to baptize new believers.

Our instructions are that we lead people to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; we are to lead people to “take up their cross and follow him”; we are to baptize them as followers of God, seen in the power of his daily presence and in his beautiful creations.

• Finally, Jesus says we are to teach them to obey all of Jesus’ commands. We are to help people really understand the purpose of the gospel, take time to explain the difficult doctrines and easy ideas. It’s not always easy, but we are to teach the whole gospel—not just what is convenient or popular, but all of what Jesus taught. The church has a responsibility to help us all come to understand and teach it.