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The Great Commission John
20: 21
Today I need you to help me carry this class. I want to talk about the
Great Commission but I am going to need you to give me as much input as
you can. Normally when I would talk about the great commission those of
us who have had the privilege of growing up in the Church, know exactly
what I am talking about. But for those who did not have that opportunity
what exactly is the great commission?
The great Commission is Jesus’ command to the Apostles and now us to
teach. That is the task of the church and why we grow. If our only
concern is to get big, we will never grow. If our only concern is to pay
off our debt we will never grow. We carry out the commission not to get
large, not to be big but because it is our task.
Now while that is true many of us fail to realize is that it was not a
one time command but that it was given 5 times. Let’s look at a time
line and see where Jesus was and what was happening when he gave the
command to grow his church.
John 20:21,
Jesus gives the command in upper room on Easter Sunday. “As my Father
sent me I am sending you.” The only detail that He gave the disciples
was that they were going to be sent. They didn’t know where, or why, or
even how.
Next look at Mark 16:15-16,
By the time that we get to Mark’s account a week has past. It is the
week after Easter and all of the 11 remaining apostles are present this
time. Not only does Jesus tell them that they are to go but he builds on
the command. This time he answers the who question. To every person.
Next look at Mathew 28:16-20.
This is the most famous of all of the commands. It is believed that they
have left the city of Jerusalem and it is 4 weeks after the
resurrection. On this mountain with Christ he gives them more clarity to
the mission at hand, he spells out the how, or the strategy. Make
disciples, baptize, and teach.
The fourth occurrence happens in Luke 24:46-49
We believe that Jesus and the Disciples have made it back into Jerusalem
and that he has been resurrected for 1 month. Here Jesus re-gives the
commission and once again he adds more. It is not enough to go out and
teach, we have to know what is the message that we are to teach. So many
of us today are fearful of evangelism because we don’t know what to talk
about. Well Jesus anticipated that and gives us our message, teach the
Gospel, the suffering and resurrection of Christ.
The 5th and final commission comes from Acts 1:8
In this last commission to the believers in the first century as well as
the 21st century Jesus says everything that he has said before but this
time he adds geography.
So looking at all 5 occurrences of the Great commission what is the
command found there?
The Greek word we translate go is actually not a command but an action
word that could be translated going. The only command in the entire
Great Commission is “make disciples” (“teach all nations”). Jesus said,
“While you are going, make disciples of all the nations.” No matter
where we are, we should be witnesses for Jesus Christ and seek to win
others to Him.
The term “disciples” was the most popular name for the early believers.
Being a disciple meant more than being a convert or a church member.
Apprentice might be an equivalent term. A disciple attached himself to a
teacher, identified with him, learned from him, and lived with him. He
learned, not simply by listening, but also by doing. Our Lord called
twelve disciples and taught them so that they might be able to teach
others.
So then a disciple is someone who has believed on Jesus Christ and
expressed this faith by being baptized. He remains in the fellowship of
the believers that he might be taught the truths of the faith. He is
then able to go out and win others and teach them. This seems to be the
pattern of the New Testament church.
I believe in the church today we have deviated from this path. In most
churches, the congregation pays the preacher to preach, win the lost,
and build up the saved—while the church members function as cheerleaders
(if they are enthusiastic) or spectators. The “converts” are won,
baptized, and given the right hand of fellowship, then they join the
other spectators.
Usually when I interview with a church I have a series of questions that
I ask the elders. One of those questions is what is expected of the
preacher, and I ask it every time we meet in different ways. In all of
the churches I have interviewed with only one has honestly said, “We
want to pay you to do all of the stuff we don’t want to.” They might
have been the only ones to say it but there are churches all over this
country that feel that way.
How much faster our churches would grow, and how much stronger and
happier our church members would be, if each one were discipling another
believer. The only way a local church can “be fruitful and multiply”
(instead of growing by swelling) is with a discipleship program. This is
the responsibility of every believer, and not just a small group who
have been “called to go.”
Jesus had opened the minds of His disciples to understand the
Scriptures. They knew what He wanted them to teach to their own
converts. It is not enough to win people to the Savior; we must also
teach them the Word of God. This is also a part of the Great Commission.
Questions for you to answer:
1) What is the greatest obstacle that keeps you from fulfilling the
Great Commission?
2) When we talk about discipling others what comes to your mind?
3) Has anyone ever tried to disciple you?
4) Have you ever tried to disciple someone?
5) How important do you believe that this is to the future of this
congregation?
6) The average age group of this congregation is 60-65. What are some of
the benefits we reap because of that?
7) What problems can that cause us down the road?
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