GO! The Great Commission

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Intro: In 2016, the Billy Graham Center commissioned a survey of 2,000 Americans who don’t actively participate in religion—the “unchurched.” The survey asked these people about how they perceive Christians and Christianity. This included their view of Christianity, their willingness to talk about faith matters with Christians, how they would respond to being invited to a church event, and which types of invitations would they be most willing to accept.

The data found that many unchurched Americans think well of Christians and are open to engaging matters of faith. For example, 42 percent of the unchurched think that Christianity is good for society, 33 percent admire their Christians friends’ faith, and up to 67 percent would be willing to attend a church event (depending on the type of event). Richardson concludes that the unchurched include “a massive number of people who are open to being invited, persuaded, and connected to a local congregation.”

Now let’s look at 2020...

Ruth Graham wrote an article in June where she said: Many are calling it sacred ground--38th Street and Chicago Avenue--the site where George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. The intersection is blocked off to traffic as numerous visitors lay flowers and murals. Musicians give concerts and various evangelists and pastors preach the gospel.

Joshua Giles, a local Black pastor, describes it as “revival and awakening.” He has helped in several spontaneous baptisms and decisions for Christ. Local evangelist Joshua Lindquist posted on his Facebook page: “The spiritual climate has completely shifted. We believe that this location is going to turn into an epicenter of revival.”

A visiting evangelist from California, representing a ministry named Circuit Riders, told the media: “We’re at the intersection of pain in America.” A Black evangelist from Hawaii said: “We’ve seen these beautiful moments of reconciliation and forgiveness. This isn’t some Instagram corny photo-op.” The Christian Broadcasting Network reported: “The area was once flooded with riots and chaos but has now seen an outpouring of God’s power. According to a Christian radio station, “At the ‘epicenter of pain and darkness,’ a message of hope through Christ is taking hold and spreading.”

People are open to hear the Word of God, they are open to investigation and experiencing what God has to offer. After a year like this, I believe people may be open even more than four or five years ago. This morning I want to challenge and encourage you to look at 2021 different. I want to challenge you, no matter how old you are, to look at 2021 as an opportunity to make disciples.

Read: Matthew 28:18-20

Here we have the commission of the Church. We must look at very this command very carefully. This is a command that as disciples, we must pay special attention too. This command is also in conjunction to what Jesus says in Matthew 22:36-40

Matthew 22:36–40 KJV 1900

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The greatest commandment to Love God and Love Others is shown through caring enough to help others see the goodness and grace of Jesus Christ. So as you Go...

Follow the Spirit’s Lead

It is vital that we understand that when Jesus says, “go”, we are not sent out by our own strength and direction. Look at both passages again. In both passages Jesus tells us that he has all authority, he will never leave, and his Holy Spirit will give power. The Spirit leads us and empowers us as we go.

Within each and every Christian is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. A Disciple willingly obeys the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will lead us to places and people that we may never have given time to. Acts 8:26-40: Philip is asked by an angel to go on a road between Jerusalem and Gaza, about a 50 mile trip, to the desert. He obeys. As he is there he encounters the Ethiopian eunuch who had just been to Jerusalem to worship. Most likely he was a God-fearing gentile. He was having trouble reading the prophet Isaiah. At that time the Spirit told Philip to go over to the chariot. So he does and he helps him understand what he was reading, which was Isaiah 53. Philip helps him see that the suffering servant he was reading about was Jesus. The eunuch accepts Christ and was baptized in some water that was nearby. What happens next? The Spirit carries Philip away to another place where he began to preach the gospel.

It’s amazing to me what the Spirit will do with a person who is ready to follow His lead.

Imagine that you've decided to go sailing. The problem is that you know next to nothing about sailing. So, you go to the store and you purchase several books to find out what's involved. You carefully read them and then you talk to a veteran sailor who answers questions for you. The next day, you rent a sailboat. You examine it closely to make certain that everything needed for a successful sailing experience is present and in good working order. Then, you take your boat out onto the lake. Your excitement is at a fever pitch, though you're also afraid. But you follow the instructions you've read and the counsel received from the experience sailor, and you launch your boat into the water. You carefully monitor each step and hoist the sail. At that precise moment you learn a crucial lesson. You can study sailing. You might even be able to build a sailboat. You can seek from the wisest and most veteran of sailors. You can cast your boat onto the most beautiful of lakes under a bright and inviting sun. You can successfully hoist the sail. But—and this is a big "but"—only God can make the wind blow!

Church, you may never be carried physically to a place by the Spirit today, but you better believe that he is asking you to go all the time. The question is, “will you obey?” A disciple will follow the Spirit’s Lead.

Make Disciples

Not only will a disciple follow the Spirit’s lead, a disciple will make more disciples. In our passage, Jesus says to go. Go and make disciples of all nations. However, you need to start where you are. Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 ESV

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

Eugene Peterson said, “Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in company with the Son.”- Eugene Peterson. God’s word and his command to go must become who we are.

Disciples are made through intentional contact. They are made when you decide to invest in another person’s life. It happens in small groups, one on one times, and Bible studies. It happens when you go and serve someone in their element. It happens when you go and share with someone who Jesus is. It happens when you GO! Being a disciple requires an obedient heart to what God is asking you to do. Are you making more disciples? Are you investing in other lives with the gospel? The harvest is plentiful, just look around you.

Conclusion: When Jesus says go, are you listening? Are you trusting in the Spirit’s leading and are you making disciples? Church, 2020 has not been the best year; however, we know what we are supposed to do. In 2021, let’s get out in our communities and spread this message of hope to all those we come in contact with. Will you step out of your comfort and step into the lives of those around you? I challenge you to put your trust in the Spirit’s leading and go and make disciples. I pray that you resolve to become obedient to what Christ has called you to do. There truly is no greater way of living then living in the love and grace of Jesus Christ! Now Go and Make Disciples!

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