Through God's EyesVoorbeeld

Remember before we started, we talked about the Great Commission and what it means? It means, “It’s Christ’s instruction to His disciples to spread the gospel to all the nations of the world, but the idea of it started long before the New Testament.”

Question? Is The Great Commission for every individual Christian? Who specifically are we called to go to? That is the question we are going to examine in this session. During Jesus' ministry on earth, He performed miracles and told parables. He has established that He is who He says He is. He was crucified upon the cross and resurrected, proving He is God. As Christ’s ministry wrapped up on earth, he left us with promises and a command. What was that command?

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you and behold I am with you always to the end of age.” - Matthew 28:19-20

None of what Jesus said was passive but active. We are to do something. Notice the verbs that are present in the verses: go, make, teach, obey, preach. We are not meant to simply accept Christ, and that be the end. No, salvation is the first step, and obeying is the second step.

Christ calls us to obey. How do we obey? By following what the word of God calls us to do. Specifically, when we look at Matthew 28:19, we are called to make disciples. What is discipleship? Discipleship is doing life together, studying the Word together, sharing His truth, and obeying the Father. You proclaim the Gospel, see people be baptized, and teach people to over everything Christ has commanded us.

We are not to stay within our Christian group, but we go out and reach people. Not just a specific type of people but all people. Christ said, “Make disciples of all nations.” Who is all? The countries that have terrorists, the country where you might die proclaiming the gospel, the people in your backyard, the nation whose languages you have studied in school and you haven’t studied in school, the place where you might get ripped off, the places where the people are likely to respond to the gospel. ALL. Everywhere. Every part of the corner of the world.

No one said that this life, the Christian life, would be easy. We will face hardship, and some of us may face prosecution for our faith. The Bible says, “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you. But rejoice in such as you participate in the sufferings of Christ so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:12-14, 17).

Jesus is worthy of all praise and all glory. He came so that we might live and declare His glory among the nations. We know what it feels like to be transformed by the love of Christ. So it’s only natural that we all people, all tribes, all nations experience the same love and transformation that we have experienced.

We know it's worth it.

Before Jesus leaves, he leaves us with a promise. In Matthew 24:34, he tells us, “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” This means we have a responsibility to ensure that we are making disciples and proclaiming the good news of the Gospel. It’s not simply going to church on Sundays, then Jesus comes back. No, Jesus promises us that He will return when all have heard the name of Jesus.

How are you getting involved in the Kingdom work around you? How are you making disciples in your areas and to the end of the earth?