Jesus’ commission to go make disciples is the defining call of the Christian. However, a misunderstanding of this command will leave us missing the mark of God’s design, for He desires not only to use us in growing His church, but to grow US through the very process.
Preliminaries: Our God is a global God – Ge 1:28; 12:1-3; Is 49:6c; Re 5:9
Observations:
- “Go” is a command
- “Going” is the instrument of your purpose
- “Go…” is dependent on God; thus “go…” means follow
- “Going” is part of God’s growth strategy
Conclusions:
- If go is a command, failure to go is at best a lack of faith and at worst disobedience
- Go is command given to disciples
- If God has commanded the going, God has also designed your going – interdependence
- Those who go on mission are grown on mission
Application:
- Are you a follower (disciple) of Jesus?
- Go
- Discover & Embrace your role – Your participation in the Great Commission must be intentional
- Ask & Listen to the leading of God’s Spirit for how you are to go
Genesis 1:28
“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Genesis 12:1-3
“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Isaiah 49:6c
“I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
Revelation 5:9
“And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
Matthew 2:8
“He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
Matthew 9:13
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 28:7
“Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
John 20:21
“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
John 17:18
“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”
Matthew 26:32
“But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Isaiah 52:12
“But you will not go out in haste, nor will you go as fugitives; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”
Acts 1:4;8
“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about… But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”