GREAT COMMISSION OR GRAVE OMISSION?

‎Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.  ‎When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.   And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.   Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.  (Matthew 28:16-20)

As many as 95% of church members never lead anyone to Christ.  While God designed the church to be a mighty army on the march, most troops seem to be content camping in their tents—and too often the officers are sitting with them.  Unless the leaders are on the frontlines, it is certain the infantry won’t be.  Jesus gave us marching orders.  Has the Great Commission become the grave omission?

We see THE PEOPLE THAT JESUS PICKED. “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.  ‎When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’”  (v.16-18)  The Commander called His disciples to an appointed place to receive their assignment.  These were not perfect people—we see some even struggling with doubt.  They were appointed, however, and more—they would be anointed.  This work could never be done in our own strength, but the good news is we have Christ’s authority behind us—the Holy Spirit to empower us.  God uses ordinary people for His extraordinary evangelistic enterprise.

Then there was THE PROGRAM THAT JESUS PRESENTED.  “‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…’” (v.19-20a)  This is the ultimate soul-winning strategy.  It is a call to action.  The first two letters in Gospel spell go!  A football team is penalized if they stay in the huddle too long.  Our holy huddles are important, but we must run the play to move the ball down the field.  This plan of action is also a plan of reproduction.  Our task is not complete when someone prays to receive Christ.  We can’t stop until all people groups have heard.  The convert must be connected to a church through baptism and instructed in the faith, so they in turn can go make other disciples.

Furthermore, we find THE PRESENCE THAT JESUS PROMISED.  “‘and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”  (v.20b)  Of course, God is omnipresent, and Jesus has promised to never forsake His people.  Nevertheless, there is a special spiritual connection—the manifest presence of the Savior—reserved for those who go out in His name.  Vital fellowship with Jesus is broken by sin—and a grave omission of the Great Commission is disobedience.  Jesus is alive, but will never seem more alive to you in this world than when you are sitting with a sinner and sharing His love, seeing the miracle of a new birth, right before your eyes!  Now, let’s all salute and say, “Reporting for duty, Lord!”

 

(Graphic courtesy of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina)