The goal of this section is to show that the Great Commission is a commandment from Jesus. God expects our obedience to the commission. The Great Commission is not limited by time, place or our problems. It is relevant until His Word reach all people.
Before moving forward, read the following passages: Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:45-49, John 20:21-23, Acts 1:8. As you read the passages, answer the following questions:
- To who does Jesus speak? How many were there?
- Where does this happen?
- What statements in the point to the time it happened?
- What was Jesus’ mandate and emphasis in each passage?
The METHOD of the Great Commission
In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus speaks to 11 disciples on a mountain in Galilee 10-14 after the resurrection. In this passage, Jesus clearly defined the METHOD – the foundations of the commission’s fulfillment. We have to go to people and teach all nations, baptizing and teaching them to follow the Scripture. We have to be obedient from the very beginning, to enable others to reproduce these principles.
The MAGNITUDE of the Great Commission
In Mark 16:15-18, Jesus is in Jerusalem speaking to 11 disciples most likely 8 days after the resurrection. The words “into all the world” and “to the whole creation” point to the MAGNITUDE of the Commission. We cannot rest until whole world is reached. That is why the Lord has given us great powers and signs.
The MESSAGE of the Great Commission
In Luke 24:44-49, Jesus is speaking 40 days after the resurrection to 11 disciples in Jerusalem. The MESSAGE of the Great Commission states: Jesus suffered for our sins, died, and rose from the dead on the third day so we can be made right with God. This has to be declared in His Name for the repentance and forgiveness of sins for all nations. For this purpose the disciples will receive the Holy Spirit.
The MODEL of the Great Commission
In John 20:21, Jesus is speaking to 10 disciples on the evening of the resurrection in Jerusalem. He clearly stated as simple truth: we are His messengers from His Father to this world. This is the same MODEL, so that His message can be communicated.
The MEANS of the Great Commission
In Acts 1:8, Jesus speaking to the 11 disciples minutes before His ascension. The MEANS by which we can accomplish the Great Commission is the Holy Spirit. The power that we have in the Holy Spirit is so strong that we are made capable of carrying out His Great Commission – carrying the Gospel from our homes to the ends of the earth.
II. The Responsibility of Everyone for Fulfilling the Great Commission
Read the following passages and answer the questions below: 2 Corinthians 5:16 and Romans 10:13-15.
- What is our ministry according to these passages?
- What does God want from us?
- How are these passages linked with the Great Commission?
Jesus started the ministry of reconciling man with God and transferred it to us. He said that we His messengers.
If Jesus is in your heart, you can not be silent, because Scripture says that the mouth speaks from what flows out of the heart. For people to be saved, they have to hear the Word. But how will they hear it without us, the messengers? God is pleased with those who spread the Good News.
