The Great Commission/Command

The GREAT COMISSION/COMMAND

“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 of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

In this passage Jesus begins by asserting His authority. Because He has been given the authority, He has every right to command action of us. The first command is to “go.” This is not simply a suggestion but an emphatic command. There are so many people in Canton, in Georgia, in The United States and in the world that have never heard the good news of Jesus Christ. How will they hear unless we go? The second command is to “make disciples.” How do you make disciples? First, you must proclaim the good news of Jesus, and then you must trust the Holy Spirit to do His work. The Lord commands us to tell and then it up to the Holy Spirit to convict sin and change hearts. The third command is to “baptize.” The first act of obedience of a new believer is to proclaim their new life by publicly demonstrating the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus through baptism. The last command is to “teach.” I feel that many times churches make a huge mistake and forget the final command to teach. We get so caught up in the transformation that we forget to teach them and grow them in their faith. The greatest verse in this passage is the promise that we do not have to do this on our own. Instead we have the reassurance of Him who cam to earth to be “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

We looked at this verse again because we have been given an in incredible opportunity to put this passage into action as a choir and orchestra in November of this year. A few months ago, Pam Mitchell introduced me to the vision of taking the handbell choir to Amberg, Germany in the fall. This vision has been expanded to include the FBC choir and orchestra. We will be given many opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost world while we are there. We are looking into concerts, street evangelism, helping with a live nativity, and much more as the Lord provides opportunity. Begin praying about how God will use you on this incredible trip to bring glory to Him.