Matthew 28:19, 20 God’s Great Commission

Kowloon International Baptist Church Kowloon Tong

Harry Lucenay, pastor

14 January 2007

The guiding text for our growth in Christ in 2007 is called “The Great Commission.”

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. Matthew 28:19, 20

1. Move out as disciples. Go

Jesus tells His followers to “get moving.

Elton Trueblood: Perhaps the single greatest weakness of the contemporary Christian church is that millions of supposed members are not really involved at all and do not think it strange that they are not…Most alleged Christians do not understand that loyalty to Christ means sharing personally in His ministry, going or staying as the situation requires.

2. Make disciples. and make disciples of all nations

Disciples – makes students of, mentors, apprentices

Discipleship is always an action that connects a person closely with Jesus. It involves the mind, heart, and the will.

All nations – connects the end of the Gospel with the beginning of the Bible. (Genesis 12:3)

I have placed you here as a light for other nations; you must take my saving power to everyone on earth.

Isaiah 49:6 Contemporary English Version

3. Mark disciples. baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

The candidate for baptism must repent.

Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 New Century Version

The candidate for baptism must receive God’s message.

Those who gladly received his word were baptized…

Acts 2:41New King James Version

In the name of – banking term, to the account of, into the possession of, represents a deposit into the Lord’s account

The name represents the one who bears it and the baptismal formula gives a sense of belonging. We join His body, His church, with new siblings of the Son, fresh companions of the Spirit. We belong to a new Master; we are under New Management, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Baptism is immersion signifying the companionship with the Father, education and fellowship with the Son, and the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

4. Mature disciples. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Teaching involves interaction with the people.

Obey (keep) the commands of Jesus.

Frederick Dale Bruner: Jesus refers the disciples to verses, not visions.

The focus is on finding Jesus in the Scriptures and letting Him stand above tradition and culture.

Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.

Romans 12:2 J B Phillips

5. Mobilize disciples. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

No one less than Jesus is with you.

With you – divine “withness” means divine help.

God gives the courage to move out, gives wisdom in discipling, strength in baptism, and creativity in teaching.

To the very end of the age – all the days, not most days or good days or when you feel spiritually fit but every day

Challenge: Are you the Christ person in your world…or do people have to look for another?

The translation used is the New International Version unless otherwise noted.