The Basics in Accomplishing the Great Commission

In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus instructs His disciples in HOW they can accomplish His mission:

• They had to GO. They were to start where they were and keep going to the ends of the earth

i. It is usually more comfortable to STAY where we are in familiar surroundings than to go to new people and places that require adjustment and risk rejection.
ii. If Jesus has saved you He wants you to be going to others on His behalf. But WHY are you to go? The answer is in b. below!

• They were to MAKE DISCIPLES. This is why Jesus’ disciples go to others. Making disciples involves 2 primary tasks which we see in v.19-20:

i. BAPTIZING them. Baptism is the outward ceremony and public confession that a person has made a commitment to Christ as Savior and Lord. But for a person to make this kind of commitment they MUST have the good news of Jesus shared with them and they must be encouraged to trust Christ. Therefore, as disciples are GOING they must be sharing the good news of Jesus and encouraging people to turn from their sin and trust Him. Those who do are to be publicly baptized and to become part of a local church.
· Is there anyone you are presently seeking to share the good news of Jesus with? Who?

· Are there others you could be praying and planning to share with? Who?

Come up with a prayerful plan to share with one of these.


ii. TEACHING THEM TO OBEY ALL JESUS COMMANDED.
· Just as Jesus’ disciples had been with Jesus and learned to obey Him, so they were to go and be with others so that these new believers could also learn to obey Jesus.

a. This takes time. Learning to obey Jesus’ truth is a process of being taught, being shown, being encouraged and then being taught, shown, and encouraged over and over and over again until a person has learned to obey.

b. This takes commitment. We must be prepared to be involved with people for a significant period of time.

c. This takes disciples. Once again, only a disciple can make a disciple. You must be obeying Jesus’ commands before you can teach others to do the same.

d. This takes the Bible. Jesus’ commands and Jesus’ life are recorded without error for us in the Bible. This is our disciplemaking textbook.

e. This takes Jesus. Notice 2 promises Jesus made to His disciples that will enable them/us to fulfill this mission:
i. Jesus has all authority. The right and the power to make disciples worldwide is His and He shares it with us.
ii. Jesus will be with us. As we are involved in Jesus’ mission He will be with us in the person of the Holy Spirit. This mission is a true partnership.

Even while you are being taught to obey Jesus you can teach others (see 2 Timothy 2:2 again).

Is there someone you can be sharing these truths with? Who? HOW?