The Great Commission

The Great Commission

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon Purpose: to persuade the congregation to respond to the Great Commission

Central Idea: Living the Great Commission is the answer to all societal problems national, local and personal.

Purposely written in second person

This sermon moves from that bad news you hear daily to the good news of Jesus Christ. The bad news: Today, many in America live with anxiety. Many people say, “In my life, I have never seen the world in such a mess—riots, thievery, wars—humanity seems to be totally wicked.” Scores are looking to the new president to make things right.

Will a president help us out of our dilemma? We all hope so, however, we are in need divine help. Often in times of a dilemma in Israel, God would send a prophet to lead the people. God said to the prophet, “I would like to send you. Will you go?” The prophet went.

For example, Moses said, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” and God said, ‘I will be with you.’” Moses went; freed the Israelites and formed a Nation unto God.

Hundreds of years later, Israel was backslid. God said to Isaiah, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, ‘Here am I, send me.’” Isaiah went and announced that the Messiah would come.

“That last night, just after celebrating Passover, Jesus went out to pray as was his custom. When He came to the place … He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.’ … And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Jesus went and changed the world.

Yes, our world is in a mess. We have had millions of people coming across our borders overwhelming some communities. Yes, there are carjacking, stores closing because of so many thieves, and school shootings. These are our dilemmas. Will God send another prophet? No. Jesus was clear: John the Baptist was the last Prophet. Our answer: Christ gave us the Great Commission. Christ expects us disciples to fix the dilemmas, and the good news is that we can.

Christian, the minute you accepted Christ, you were called. Your job: respond to the Great Commission; rescue the perishing before it is too late. Yet, too often, you hear this kind of answer, “Oh, I am too old.” “Oh, I am too young.” “Oh, I am too busy!” Things will get worse as long as you use those words. I have heard more than one Christian say, “But, I am not a preacher. That is their job.” No. A preacher's job is to remind you that your job is the Great Commission. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and 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.’” Explaining some scriptures to others that may help you see you fulfill this wonderful task.

In Matthew 5:13a Jesus is instructing His disciples, "You are the salt of the earth.” Here, Jesus compared Christians with salt, a flavor enhancer. Just a little salt goes a long way. Did you ever have green beans without salt?

Jesus spoke these words to all disciples past and present for salt does more than make things taste better; it is a preservative. Your disciples are to perform the antiseptic action of salt on American society; your job is to keep this society pure. You are the New Israel called to the prophetic work of preserving the earth from moral decay. Your saltiness is the gift of graces, blessings, high callings, and lofty works. You are to communicate the divine truth and oppose spiritual corruption thus bringing about moral soundness and the power of life. In the last few years, you have seen people speak up against the non-Christian values that some of our schools and universities are teaching. Their work is paying off: that is the work of salt.

Further, salt is a mineral that is essential for human health, necessary for life. Distributed throughout your body, salt is especially plentiful in your body’s fluids: your blood, sweat, and tears. Without enough salt, all these fluids would lose their water, causing dehydration, low blood pressure, and death. You Christians are the Body of Christ. The Body needs salt. You are the salt that is essential to the health of this Nation, and its survival.