The Command
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20 (CSB)
Matthew 28:19-20, commonly called the Great Commission, is more than just Jesus's final message to a small group; it is a command for all His followers. It includes both the duty of evangelism and discipleship. Regarding evangelism, Pastor Robby Gallaty points out that “success in evangelism is in the sharing, not the saving.” The Great Commission continues to serve as a call for all believers to obey without hesitation.
Jesus sets the entire world as the target for evangelism, emphasizing that our efforts should never be selective. Instead, we must be eager and deliberate in sharing the message of Jesus Christ with everyone globally. Faithfulness to the Great Commission means declaring the Gospel to all and avoiding the role of gatekeepers. We should not restrict who hears the Gospel but live as the instruments through which it is made known.
Living out the Great Commission means being on mission with the Lord. This involves serving Him obediently, worshiping through faithfulness, and embodying the truth of God’s Word. Pastor Richard Phillips highlights the recurring nature of the call to evangelism, stating, "According to the four Gospels of the New Testament, the Christian faith is designed to be shared with others.” The Bible consistently commands believers to share Christ, reinforcing the ongoing call to evangelism.
As messengers sent to the whole world with the message of the Gospel, we go with the promise and presence of the Lord. Jesus assured His followers that He would walk with them every step of the way as they seek to engage the culture with the Gospel. The promise shows that the Lord gives a command but also provides His presence and power for the task. Therefore, the mission we receive from the Lord is truly a Co-Mission that we carry out with Him.
Living on mission with the Lord begins with hearing and accepting His call to evangelism. Once we hear it, we must align our lives to obey His directive. Our journey to fulfill this calling is not done alone; we are assured of God’s presence guiding us. The key truth is that as a Child of God, you are called to evangelism, but always in partnership with the Lord.
QUESTIONS
What hindrances exist that keep you from fulfilling and living out the Great Commission?
How does viewing evangelism as an act of obedience and worship change our mindset about the task of sharing the Gospel?
References
Robby Gallaty, MARCS of a Disciple (Hendersonville: Replicate Ministries, 2016), 4.
Richard Phillips, Jesus the Evangelist: Learning to Share the Gospel from the Book of John, (Orlando: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2007), 1.
