Experience The Great Commission Series

“EXPERIENCE THE GREAT COMMISION”

www.planttheseedministries.org

Allan H. Kircher

May 5, 2008

Matt 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”.

We are all called to be fishers of men.

The love that Christ poured out for his people in his death and resurrection (2 Cor. 5:14-21) is the motive for proclaiming the gospel.

He who is the author of life (Acts 3:15) and the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8) and the one who has all authority in heaven and on earth commands his people to go and make disciples of all nations.

Isn’t it amazing that Jesus’ last words to his disciples were about evangelism.

Jesus instructs them, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.

He was commanding His disciples to make disciples.

The basis of discipleship is teaching all the commands of Jesus.

His commands are beacons of light that will guide us throughout the course of our lives.

On the other hand, every conflict we have in life can be traced to the neglect or violation of one or more of the commands of Jesus.

This is why He placed such a high priority on them, even to say, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3).

Christ is the great example of carrying out the commission. He went around doing good (Acts 10:38), proclaiming his message of redemption (Mark 10:45), and seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10).

Just as he taught and preached the good news of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23), so his disciples (all of us) should teach and proclaim Jesus and his resurrection (Acts 4:2).

You are Jesus’ disciples. We are the offspring of those select few. Those whom you disciple will be the offspring also.

This is the final point Jesus made to his disciples.

It appeared that he regarded evangelism as the very reason for their being. The very reason for our being.

The call to evangelize is a command.

Having accepted Jesus as Lord, you have brought yourself under his rule and are obligated to do whatever he asked.

For he had said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:16)

“If you are my friends you will do what I command” John 15:14.

If you truly love the Lord, you will carry out his call to evangelize.

It is not an option in your life. It is not an option.

Well, you’re saying, I’m not a preacher or pastor.

Evangelism in your walk is the way you carry yourself. And when you carry yourself in a Godly way people will begin to see Jesus in you.

Then, you plant the seed of salvation in conversation. You tell them that you are like this because of what Jesus has done for you. You are now evangelizing and obeying the command of your heavenly father.

Jesus uses your experiences in life to reach those that come across your path.

The disciples and you are not sent out on our own strength, however..

Jesus prefaced his commission with the statement “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt 28:18)

Having all authority, he commissioned each of us as his agent.

You are a commissioned agent of Jesus Christ.

You are hereby promoted from your current job.

If you are a truck driver, I hereby promote you to a commissioned agent for Jesus.

Your job is 24 hs. A day 7 days a week.

You have the most profound, exciting, rewarding and posh job anyone could want. And great benefits.

You have every problem solved for you.

You have every relationship restored

You have every addiction or hurt healed

Note the extent of the great commission; it is all inclusive in Matt 28:19 Jesus speaks of “all nations” and in Acts 1:8 he gives specific enumeration.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

This is two fold- you will receive power when the holy spirit comes on you.

You cannot witness and evangelize if the power of the spirit is not in you.

For example, if you don’t have the spirit in you, you will not desire to witness or evangelize to others.

Secondly, if you try and witness and do not have the spirit you deserve a grammy award for “best actor in evangelizing pictures”.