Here is the bulletin insert, followed by the sermon (after the ****’s)
The Great Commission Dissected
The clearest and fullest presentation of the “Great Commission” is found in Matt. 28:19-20. These words were spoken about four weeks after the Resurrection. The 11 Apostles met Jesus in a designated hill in Galilee, probably joined by a good number of Jesus’ disciples in the area (probably the 500 spoken of in I Cor. 15:6, although Matthew does not state this). The word “go” is actually a participle (“as you are going”); this refers to sharing Christ as we live life and/or being led to share in another culture (missions).
We can easily divide this commission into four sections.
I. Evangelism (Making Disciples)
1. Evangelism differs from the “soul-winning” mentality
2. Evangelism means communicating the _____________: Christ died for our sin, was buried, and rose again: we call this “objective” salvation
3. Evangelism also addresses subjective __________________.
Repentance and faith (explain them)
II. Baptism
1. The Greek word baptidzo, means to __________ or immerse
2. An act in the process of discipleship; not necessary for salvation, but necessary for obedience
3. The doctrine of the Trinity is acknowledged….this is more than a formula, it is also a confession of faith
III. Teaching with Practicing in View
1. Teaching __________ things
2. Teaching to OBSERVE or OBEY _______ ______________
IV. Recognizing Jesus’ ______________ Presence
1. He is with us ALWAYS
2. Therefore, we are to cultivate an awareness of His presence
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Leaking Out the Best Kept Secret
(Matt. 28:16-20)
1. Some people just don’t get it. There is a story of a woman who wrote a letter of resignation and turned it in to her boss. He reviewed it, made some corrections in her grammar and syntax, and sent it back to her with a note saying, "Please rewrite and resubmit."
2. Many Christians do not understand the task of the church; we get lost in the particulars.
3. Our church mission statement summarizes the task as well as I’ve seen it summarized: to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, connect them to one another and God, and Deepen them in their Christian walk.
4. Two of those three points are found in what we call the Great Commission. The middle point is based on a wealth of verses, many from the epistles.
5. But in deciding what the church is all about, we must not miss the obvious starting point, the verses before us called, “The Great Commission.”
6. The clearest and fullest presentation of the “Great Commission” is found in Matt. 28:19-20. These words were spoken about four weeks after the Resurrection. The 11 Apostles mean Jesus in a designated hill in Galilee, probably joined by a good number of Jesus disciples in the area (probably the 500 spoken of in I Cor. 15:6, although Matthew does not state this).
MAIN IDEA: The Great Commission is the Church’s marching orders, direction from our Commander in Chief, the center of God’s will for a church’s ministry.
The Church is about glorifying God, and one main way to do so is by participating in the Great Commission.
We can easily divide this commission into four sections.
I. Evangelism (Making Disciples)
1. Evangelism differs from the “soul-winning” mentality
(1) interested in long term disciples, not merely
Professions of faith
(2) “Soul-winning” could be considered the first part of evangelism, but
We are not just to love people’s souls, but the people themselves.
2. Evangelism means communicating the Gospel: Christ died for our sin, was buried, and rose again
(1) These points need to be elaborated upon. Who is Christ? What does “died for our sins” mean? Did He rise bodily?
(2) We call this “objective” salvation
3. Evangelism also addresses subjective salvation
(1) How do I make salvation mine?
(2) Repentance and faith (explain them)
4. What role do you have in evangelism?
(1) there is no better method than for you to associate with lost people and simply tell them….
(2) Three competing store owners rented adjoining shops in a mall. Everyone waited for the inevitable outbreak of mayhem. The retailer on the right put up a huge sign saying "Gigantic Sale! Super Bargains!" The retailer on the left raised bigger signs that read, "Prices slashed! Fantastic Discounts!" The owner of the store in the middle saw his competitors were overlooking the obvious, so he had a sign made to hang over his door that said simply, ENTRANCE.
5. All commanded to participate….As you are going is not really a command (or a strong one), but MAKE DISCIPLES is…
(1) the difference between a Witness and a Missionary
(2) the church’s job is sending missionaries…
(3) primitive area, woman saved…wished my son could have heard….we sacrificed him to our gods two weeks ago…
(4) less than 5% of the world’s population are evangelical Christians….
6. The modern church is caring less and less about world evangelism and more and more about church-owned golf courses and health spas….We must care!!!
7.We’ve got Good News: Salvation freely given for those who will repent and accept Jesus Christ as Savior!
8. Special Focus segment on Sunday Night
The Great Commission is the Church’s marching orders, direction from our
Commander in Chief, the center of God’s will for a church’s ministry.
The Church is about glorifying God, and one main way to do so is by participating in the Great Commission.
II. Baptism
1. The Greek word baptidzo, means to DIP or immerse
2. An act in the process of discipleship; not necessary for salvation, but necessary for obedience
3. The doctrine of the Trinity is acknowledged….this is more than a formula, it is also a confession of faith
What insight into the triune nature of God do you find in this passage? (web article)
4. Baptism pictures the Gospel
5. The key thought of baptism is IDENTIFICATION and the FORMALIZATION of salvation -- the graduation ceremony
6. One unthought of way to contribute toward fulfilling the Great Commission is to get baptized and encourage others to follow….in August, maybe before…
The Great Commission is the Church’s marching orders, direction from our Commander in Chief, the center of God’s will for a church’s ministry.
The Church is about glorifying God, and one main way to do so is by participating in the Great Commission.
III. Teaching with Practicing in View
1. Teaching ALL things
(1) every try to convince a student that English is important?
(2) What do we need this for?
(3) A major NT theme is TEACH, teach sound doctrine, constantly, always…
(4) A good portion of NT gatherings involved teaching, study…
(5) Our church’s strength is teaching because our convictions are that teaching is foundational to everything else…
2. Teaching to OBSERVE or OBEY ALL THINGS
(1) information not enough
(2) motivation
(3) how to
The Great Commission is the Church’s marching orders, direction from our Commander in Chief, the center of God’s will for a church’s ministry.
The Church is about glorifying God, and one main way to do so is by participating in the Great Commission.
IV. Recognizing Jesus Constant Presence
1. He is with us ALWAYS
2. Therefore, we are to cultivate an awareness of His presence
3.How can knowing that Jesus is always with us make a difference in our daily lives?
4. This passage began with Jesus asserting that all authority had been given to Him: Over what does Jesus have all authority?
5. In an earthly kingdom, it is difficult to gain an audience with the King; a million go-betweens. In our country, it would be nearly impossible to see the president, a million go-betweens and red tape. In the military, nearly impossible to see the top general; but in the Kingdom of God, each of us can go directly to the top!!!
6. A daily walk with Jesus puts Jesus on your mind; and if Christ is on your mind, He is more likely to be on your tongue!
The Great Commission is the Church’s marching orders, direction from our Commander in Chief, the center of God’s will for a church’s ministry.
The Church is about glorifying God, and one main way to do so is by participating in the Great Commission.
Conclusion
1. Let us try to make the title of a hymn a reality in our liv
