The Great Commission is one of the most important commands that Jesus gave his followers before ascending to heaven. It is the mission statement of the church and the reason why we exist as Christians. But what does it mean to fulfill the Great Commission? How can we share the gospel with people from different cultures, languages, and backgrounds? And what are some practical ways to get involved in God’s global plan of salvation? In this blog post, I will try to answer these questions and inspire you to join me in this fantastic adventure of making disciples of all nations.
The Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:18-20, where Jesus says: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This is not a suggestion or a request but a command from the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He has given us the authority, the responsibility, and the privilege to spread His message of love and grace to every person on earth. He has also promised to be with us always, empowering us by His Spirit and guiding us by His Word.
But how can we fulfill this commission? The first step is to understand what it means to make disciples. A disciple is not just someone who believes in Jesus but someone who follows him, learns from him and obeys him. A disciple is someone who loves God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loves their neighbor as themselves. A disciple is someone who grows in their relationship with God through prayer, worship, study, and fellowship. A disciple is someone who serves God with their gifts, talents, and resources. A disciple is someone who reproduces themselves by making other disciples.
The second step is to go. This means we are not supposed to wait for people to come to us, but we are to go to them. We are to go where they are, whether in our neighborhood, city, country, or another continent. We are to go with compassion, humility, and respect. We are to go with a message of hope, forgiveness, and transformation. We are to go with a demonstration of God’s power, love, and justice. We are to go with a willingness to sacrifice, suffer and persevere.
The third step is to baptize. This means that we are to help people identify with Christ and his church through the symbolic act of immersion in water. Baptism is a public declaration of faith and allegiance to Jesus. It is a sign of repentance from sin and new life in Christ. It is a mark of belonging to God’s family and joining his mission. Baptism is not an optional ritual or a personal preference but a biblical command and a spiritual blessing.
The fourth step is to teach. This means we must instruct people in everything that Jesus has commanded us. We are to teach them the truth of God’s Word and the principles of God’s Kingdom. We are to teach them how to worship God in spirit and truth. We are to teach them how to pray effectively and fervently. We are to teach them how to serve God faithfully and fruitfully. We are to teach them how to share God boldly and wisely.
Jesus gave us the four steps to fulfill the Great Commission: make disciples, go, baptize, and teach. They are not sequential or separate but simultaneous and interrelated. They are not optional or negotiable but essential and mandatory. They are not easy or comfortable but challenging and rewarding. They are not only for some or few but for all and many.
make disciples, go, baptize, and teach
–Jesus
The ultimate mission of the church is not easy, but it is possible. It is not comfortable, but it is rewarding. It is not popular, but it is powerful. It is not about us, but it is about Him.
The ultimate mission of the church is what drives us, what motivates us, and what inspires us. It is what makes us alive in Christ, what makes us salt and light in this world, and what makes us a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
The ultimate mission of the church is what we live for, what we die for, and what we will be judged by.
The ultimate mission of the church is to glorify God and to make disciples of all nations.
Are you ready to take these steps? Are you willing to obey Jesus’ command? Are you eager to join his mission?