The Great Commission

This past Sunday we did something a little different in our church. We watched a DVD of a sermon by David Platt, pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL. David’s ministry is radical and passionate, and is largely focused on disciple making. This is a summary of his sermon.

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

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

Let’s BELIEVE in the authority of Christ.

Jesus is not just the personal Lord and Savior over us. He is the universal Lord and Savior over all! He has authority over nature and nations. He has authority over disease and demons. He has authority over sin and death. He has authority over your life, my life, EVERY life.

As Christ followers we are commanded to be fishers of men. We are to be disciples, but more importantly, disciple makers. Jesus’ authority is what compels us to go and share the gospel, and it is also what gives us confidence as we go. His worth is the fuel of our mission, and His worship is the goal.

Let’s OBEY the command of Christ.

The command of Christ is not a comfortable call for us to come, be baptized, and go on living our lives. It is a costly command for every Christian to go, baptize, and make disciples of all nations.

We are commanded to share the Word by speaking about and living according to the gospel.

We are commanded to show the Word through baptism, symbolizing identification with the person of Christ and inclusion in the body of Christ.

We are commanded to not only receive the Word, but to reproduce and teach the Word, reaching not just as many people as possible, but making disciples among every people group in the world.

As we make disciples of all nations, we will multiply churches among all nations.

Let’s DEPEND on the presence of Christ.

This mission is not based on who we are or what we can do. This mission is based on who Jesus is and what He is able to do in and through our lives.

Together, let’s experience the power of His presence with us, and let’s hope in the promise of His return for us. The gospel will save, and this mission will succeed!