The Great Commission is embedded in the great calling of the disciples.

The Greatest Calling

Matthew 4:18-21 (NIV) As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 “Come, follow me,” 20 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,

– a disciple is someone who is…

• •  Committed to following, changed by, committed to the mission of Jesus.
  •  Called by Jesus to make disciples, not converts.

The Greatest Commission

– The disciples were given the command to go make disciples.

Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have 20 commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

• •  Jesus entrusted the start of His Church to them.

– The disciples were being sent out by the Lord.

John 20:19–22 (NIV) On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

– He told them the scope of the mission – the whole world.

Acts 1:6–8 (NIV) Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 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.”

– The disciples responded with the great message about Jesus.

Acts 2:22-24 (NIV) “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Acts 2:36 (NIV) “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

• •   They were unschooled, ordinary men who had spent time with Jesus.
  •   The message brought the truth about sin.

– The Holy Spirit brings conviction

Acts 2:37–42 (NIV) When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

• •   Their response was to believe – trusting the gospel message.
  •   The Holy Spirit brought conviction to their hearts.
  •   Repentance was the result – a change of mind and response.

2 Corinthians 7:8–10 (NIV) Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

• •  They were baptized out of obedience.

– If you are a Christian, you are a disciple called to be a disciple maker.

“First, there is absolutely nothing in what Jesus Himself or His early followers taught that suggests you can decide just to enjoy forgiveness at Jesus’s expense and have nothing more to do with Him”. Dallas Willard The Great Omission

• •  The Great Commission demands we get off the bench and join God’s mission.

Small Group Discussion:

Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents;)Matthew 28:16-20; Matthew 4:19

8. Do you need to become a disciple of Jesus? Are you ready to make your profession of faith and be baptized?

9. Do you need to get in a small group; to be taught in relationship?

10. Do you need to share the message? Send to people you care about the message from this last weekend?