The Old Testament Great Commission

Text: Joshua 1:1-9, Matthew 28:18-20

Introduction/Background

Joshua and the people of Israel are standing on the other side of the Jordan River, waiting to cross over and take possession of the promised land. Moses has just died, and Joshua is now in command of Israel. The generation of adults who murmured in the wilderness has died off, and those who were children during the Exodus and who saw God part the Red Sea, feed them with manna, and provide water from the rock are now adults. They now face a decision whether to follow in the footsteps of their fathers or to trust God.

1. God promised them success in their endeavor.

a. v. 2—“…the land that I am giving to them…”

i. The land deed was written in their name.

ii. But, a leap of faith was required on their part to obtain it. They had to set foot on the land to gain it.

iii. What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

b. We have been promised success in the Great Commission

i. Jesus’ ascension after his resurrection ushered in a new age of spiritual conquest. Just as Moses’ death ushered in the conquest of the Promised Land, Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension ushered in the age of the Church and the Great Commission.

ii. Jesus gives the same command to us: “Go take it! It’s yours!”

iii. Matthew 24:14—“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

1. pante ta ethne—“to all nations,” probably refers to linguistic people groups rather than geopolitical nations

2. About 1900 languages still need the Bible translated.

3. It’s a huge task, but God has guaranteed success!

iv. Matthew 28:19—“…make disciples of all nations…”

v. Isaiah 55:10-11—“…my word…shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

c. What could we accomplish for Christ’s Kingdom if we had the courage to embrace his promise and start staking claim to unclaimed lands?

i. What if a generation of Fathers had the courage to be godly Fathers? What if wives had the courage, in a feminist culture, to be submissive, godly wives and mothers?

ii. What if a generation of Christians accepted God’s promises and decided:

1. to take the gospel to their neighbors across the street?

2. to take the nation for Christ?

3. to take the gospel to those who have never heard it? (Romans 15:20)

4. to take the gospel to the Middle East?

2. God promised his presence as they obeyed his commands.

a. vv. 5-6—“…I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.

i. These words are echoed by Christ in the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:20)

ii. God’s presence comforts us and guides us as we follow his will and further his kingdom.

iii. God’s presence disciplines us and corrects us when we veer from the path and disobey him.

b. We find guidance and the presence of Christ through his Word (vv. 8)

i. A big reason that we often feel disconnected from God’s presence is because we stop listening to him speak. His main method of communication to us is through his Word!

ii. His Word gives us courage and strength, and helps us to remember the history of faithfulness he has shown to his people.

iii. We are to “meditate on it day and night”

3. A life lived in obedience to the great commission is one of passion for God and is a result of a heart that is set on heavenly things.

a. Colossians 3:1-4—“Set your minds on things that are above…”

b. II Timothy 2:3-4—“No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits…”

c. Why is it that Christianity is loosing ground in the US and why have we not yet got the gospel into the remaining 1,900 languages that still need scripture? Because “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and it proves unfruitful…” (Matthew 13:22)

d. What is it that is keeping you from acting upon God’s promises and the Great Commission?

i. During the conquest, Achan took some of the forbidden treasures from the city of Jericho and hid them in his tent.

ii. As Jesus was giving the Great Commission just before his ascension, it says that “some doubted.”

iii. Are you hoarding idols in your tent or harboring doubt in your heart?

Conclusion

Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin and death. He has brought us through the Red Sea on dry ground and proven himself faithful time and time again. This generation stands on the banks of the promised land. We are closer than we have ever been to reaching the world for Christ, and each of us has been given a gift and a task for the kingdom. Christ has given us our marching orders and promised us success if we trust in him and rely on him. We must set our eyes above on heavenly things and press towards the prize of the high calling in Jesus Christ.