Go! And Follow The Great Commission: Not The Great Suggestion Series

Go! and follow The Great Commission: Not the Great Suggestion

Introduction:

There are two types of instructions in life: suggestions and commands.

A suggestion says: “If you get the chance, maybe do this.”

A command says: “Do this now. It is your responsibility.”

If the fire alarm rings in this building, the fire warden doesn’t suggest that you might want to consider leaving. They command you to evacuate — for your safety.

When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He did not say, “If you feel like it, and if it fits your schedule, go and make disciples.” No — He gave His followers an unshakable, urgent, eternal command.

And yet, in our generation, many treat the Great Commission as though it were the great suggestion — optional, negotiable, and occasionally convenient.

Today, we will see from Scripture that the command to “Go!” is not just for pastors, missionaries, or evangelists — it’s for every follower of Jesus.

Matthew 28:18–20 (NLT): Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Point 1 – The Authority of the Command

Jesus begins not with the command but with the foundation for it: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”

“Authority” – ????s?a (exousia) – delegated power, legal jurisdiction, and absolute right to rule. This is not just ability (dunamis), but the legal and moral right to exercise that power.

Jesus speaks these words after His resurrection. He has conquered sin, death, and hell. By His victory on the cross and His resurrection, He holds sovereign authority over the entire universe.

This is not the advice of a wise teacher. This is the decree of the risen Lord.

Philippians 2:9–11 (NLT): Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A.W. Tozer: “Jesus Christ demands self-surrender. He doesn’t merely advise it; He demands it.”

If Jesus has all authority, then the Great Commission is not up for debate. We don’t get to vote on it. We get to obey it.

Imagine a soldier receiving orders from the commander-in-chief. The soldier does not respond with, “I’ll think about it.” No — orders are to be obeyed because of who gave them. Our Commander is the King of kings.

Point 2 – The Action of the Command

The core command here is: “Go and make disciples.”

“Go” – p??e????te? (poreuthentes) – carries the sense of “as you are going” or “in your going.” Not just foreign missions — but in the everyday rhythm of life.

“Make disciples” – µa??te?sate (matheteusate) – to train and shape someone into an obedient follower of Jesus.

Mark 16:15 (NLT): And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”

In the 1st century, “making a disciple” was not a quick decision; it was a relational journey of teaching, modelling, and living out truth.

Charles Spurgeon: “Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor.”

The Great Commission is not fulfilled by simply inviting people to church; it’s fulfilled by bringing Christ to people and walking with them as they grow.

If you found a cure for cancer, you wouldn’t hide it in your pocket and wait for people to ask. You’d run to tell the world. You and I have something infinitely greater — the cure for eternal death.

Point 3 – The Method of the Command

Jesus says: “…baptising them… and teaching them to obey…”

“Baptising” – ßapt??? (baptizo) – to immerse, symbolising death to sin and new life in Christ.

“Teaching” – d?d?s?? (didasko) – ongoing instruction that shapes thought and behaviour.

2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT): You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

John Piper: “The Great Commission is not about one person making one disciple; it is about the multiplication of disciple-making disciples.”

Making disciples means evangelism and discipleship — bringing people to Christ and helping them grow in obedience to Him.

Point 4 – The Assurance of the Command

Jesus ends with: “I am with you always…”

“I am” – ??? e?µ? (ego eimi) – the divine name from Exodus 3:14, “I AM WHO I AM.”