Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus

Today we continue our 8-part teaching series called "Facetime".

Through the gospels and the recorded words of Jesus, we have the opportunity to sit face to face with Jesus. We want to not only hear his words, but apply their truth to our everyday lives.

Today we are sitting with his final words as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, known as the great commission.

By the time we arrive in Chapter 28, the crucifixion of Jesus is finished, good Friday is over.

Resurrection morning has happened and the news that Jesus is alive is spreading, especially among his disciples.

Jesus meets up with his disciples, following his resurrection.

Among these 11 are some interesting stories. This was a group of people who made mistakes, had shady pasts, got it wrong from time to time, but they are here.

It says they worshipped Jesus, but some doubted. They didn’t have it all figured out, but yet, this is the group. They are still seeking Jesus, and that’s critical.
This is the ragamuffin crew, just like you and I, that Jesus is about to send out into all the world to represent Him.

Aren’t you glad that Jesus starts with who he is and not who we are?

Jesus says All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. The implication is that God the Father has given Jesus this authority and power.

There are two ways we need to think about this.

First, Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There is not a force, a power, a circumstance, a principality, a challenge, nothing that he doesnt have authority or power over.

Secondly, he has the authority and power to tell us what to do. The great commission is not something I want you to do, it’s not a church sponsored project, it’s Jesus’ idea. He has got something he wants you to do.

The word therefore, links this back to Jesus supreme authority.

As followers of Jesus, we are to do these things not only because Jesus said so, but more than that, because we go in his power. We live and exist in his victory.

The word GO in the Greek is a present participle. It’s in the present tense, an ongoing action. You could think of it “As you are going”. So this command is less about a passport to a foreign nation, and much more about your daily coming and going.

Now, as we are going, we are to be making disciples. In the original language, this is really the only direct command. It’s not that these other things, going, baptizing and teaching arent important. It’s just that the main thing, we must do is MAKE DISCIPLES.

Make disciples is an aroist imperative in the Greek- that basically means JUST DO IT. This is not a good idea. It’s not a suggestion if we have time. It’s not even if we feel like it, or we think we can do it. Jesus says, make disciples.

Disciple essentially means to become a student of a specific teacher. To follow their pattern of living and to learn their teaching. We might think of it as being an apprentice, doing on the job training.

When Jesus calls us to make disciples, he is calling us to live in such an intentional way with people that we help them do the same thing. We introduce them to Jesus, we walk with them as they receive the gift of Salvation for themselves. Then we help them learn how to pray, how to read God’s word, to be a part of the church. How to give, how to serve, how to love their enemies.

Part of this discipling making task is that we baptize believers and teach them His word.

The beautiful thing is that Jesus doesnt give this command and then recline back in His easy chair. He is with us.

Jesus says “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Isn’t that a relief…We don’t have to do this alone. As Jesus commands us, he also says, hey friends, I’m going with you.


With Jesus final command in view, can I ask you, are you doing what Jesus said here? Are you living out the great commission in your daily life?