Matthew 28:19-20, “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.”
The only way the world can be saved is through the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16). The only way the gospel can be heard is if disciples preach it to all creation (Mark 16:15). And the only way disciples can preach the gospel is if they have been trained and sent out by other disciples.
That is why Paul wrote the following in Romans 10:14-15, “14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”
Therefore, Jesus commands every person that believes in Him to be a trained disciple that is sent out to make new disciples. In today’s passage Jesus gave the clearest way in which disciples are made and sent out. These powerful words of Jesus have been known in church history as the “Great Commission.” The Great Commission simply refers to the command for disciples to be trained and commissioned to make new disciples by teaching them all that Jesus commanded.
Jesus’ command to “go and make disciple of all nations” is for all people at all times.
There is no one that is exempt from Jesus’ command to be a disciple that makes disciples of the nations. No matter who you are, what you do for a career, your level of education, personality, national identity or schedule in life; you’re commanded by Jesus Christ to stand for the Great Commission. No excuses, just results matter to Jesus. Be a fruitful vine in the Father’s vineyard or get cut off and thrown out to be burned with the weeds.
Jesus said in John 15:2, “He [the Father] cuts off every branch in me [Jesus] that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” Though good works don’t save us, our faith should produce good works because the Father prepared them for us- and there is no greater work than to make a disciple for Jesus (Ephesians 2:10).
Here are three ways you can stand for the Great Commission; (1) Be a disciple that is trained in the local church to be sent out to make new disciples. (2) Pray for God to use you to make disciples for the rest of your life. (3) Encourage every believer in Christ to obey Jesus’ command to be a disciple maker of the nations.
Reflection
Who are you currently discipling?
Action
- Explain from the Bible why you should stand for the Great Commission.
- Pray that God will use you to reach out and build the church with disciples that make disciples. The ole’ timers used to say, “If you’re not trying to make a new disciple, I question if you’re really one yourself!”
- Resources: “Growing True Disciples,” by George Barna and “Disciples That Make Disciples,” by Joe Wyrostek.
One Year Reading Plan
Zechariah 4:1-5:11, Revelation 14:1-20, Psalm 142:1-7, & Proverbs 30:21-23. Click here to read online.
