The Great Commission Series

The Great Commission

Part 1 – The Great Commission ‘How-to’

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith – www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

WHERE WE ARE AT

† The Resurrection – Restoring the Lord’s Ministry

† Jesus calls the disciples to meet Him

† Jesus gives the Disciples their mission in life…The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16 – 20 The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "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."

INTRODUCTION

Why are we here as a church?

To worship and praise God.

To sing songs to Him, and call on His name.

To build each other up, and strengthen each other.

To hear Gods word so that we may grow closer to Him.

And what is this all for?

I can worship and praise God at home…I can sing all day to Him, no matter where I am at…I can call on His name wherever I am…I can read His word and pray and get closer to God…

Why church? Why are we here?

1. The spiritual gifts He has given us are for the other believers, not ourselves.

a. To BUILD (meaning bringing MORE people into the Kingdom)

b. To Strengthen (Other believers…lifting them up)

2. To call on God as His people…not an individual.

a. God wants us to call on Him as a group…a body, called the body of Christ.

b. Working together in unison, seeking Him as a body of believers.

3. To have a meeting place where the lost can come.

a. Bringing in the lost so that they may discover the Lord.

b. Surrounding them with the Love of God so that they may experience the Lord and make a commitment to Him.

c. It is an emergency room for the sinful.

d. A healing place for the hurt.

e. A place where the lost can be found.

God has called this church to be here for a purpose.

And He has made that purpose known to us.

And over the next few weeks we are going to talk about this purpose, the purpose of this church and why we are here, and how we can achieve what God’s has called us to do.

The steps we need to take to move forward and closer to God.

1. Some doubted

a. Some of the disciples had doubt

i. Miracles don’t happen everyday…

ii. They should have trusted what they had seen for 3 ½ years

iii. God proves Himself to us daily

b. Thomas needed convincing

i. Sometimes we ask God for proof

ii. But He has already given it to us if we look

iii. Thomas needed convincing because he didn’t trust what the Lord already had done.

c. Sometimes we doubt…

i. Do you struggle with doubt?

ii. You need a boost of faith.

iii. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God

iv. And remember what He has already done for you in your life and in this church.

We have seen many prayers answered over the years here, both in our Bible Study before this church was even conceived, and many afterwards.

God has proved Himself over and over.

He is a God who answers!

2. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus

a. THEREFORE (a command)

i. Jesus is in control…He is already King

ii. The King is King of all

iii. He said…”THEREFORE” a command

iv. We are at war in the spirit.

b. Jesus has called those who are His

i. If you belong to the Lord, this command is for you

ii. If you are a follower of Christ, you will obey this command

c. If you love me…you will obey my command

3. GO and make disciples

a. How we are to go

i. To our friends, family & neighbors

1. Inviting them to Church

2. Inviting them to Church events

3. Pray for them and with them

4. Fulfill a need in the name of Christ

ii. Community outreach through the church

1. Food Pantry

2. Open House

3. Community picnic

iii. Ministries through the church

1. Mission trips

2. Meet community needs as a church

3. Door-to-Door invitation ministries

iv. Special events at the church

1. Christmas plays

2. Christmas Eve services

3. Resurrection Day services

4. Week of renewal