Understanding the Great Commission

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Great Commission

Sunday 02/09/25

Title: Understanding the Great Commission

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Understanding the Great Commission


Last week we ended with Paul’s final wrap up in this encouragement to Timothy and by extension all who were under him and to us as well in chapter 4 with this solemn charge…

2 Timothy 4:1-22, 

“(1) Before God and Christ Jesus, Who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom, I SOLEMNLY CHARGE YOU:  

Other translations say, 

“I am pressing it upon you” – Cotton Patch

“I implore you” – “I urge you” – “I give  you command” BEFORE GOD and Jesus Christ

These are strong words which should snap the mind to attention.

Be deliberate with me here. Do not be asleep! Realize that it was the Holy Spirit of God Who never changes Who is pressing us ALL on this matter. It is of imminent importance and critical for our participation in the kingdom…

“(2)  PROCLAIM THE MESSAGE; 

PERSIST IN IT whether convenient or not; 

rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.  

(3)  For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new.  

(4)  They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.  

(5) But as for you, keep a clear head about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry!”  

(6)  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.”  

“(7)  I have fought the good fight, 

I have finished the race, 

I have kept the faith.”  

“(8)  In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.”  

Then Paul addresses his situation, and makes certain requests of Timothy for his visit of Paul which Paul desired to occur before winter.

But the big takeaway for this last chapter and in fact this whole letter is both being a disciple of Jesus and making disciples.

An overview of the meaning of disciple drawn from information on the internet and compiled into a statement by AI was this:

Discipleship is a lifelong process of learning and growing in faith by following Jesus Christ. It involves learning from Jesus’ teachings, imitating His life, and living out His values. 

Key elements of discipleship

  • Following Jesus: Disciples believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 
  • Learning from Jesus: Disciples study the Bible and learn from Jesus’ teachings. 
  • Living like Jesus: Disciples strive to live more like Jesus by denying themselves, taking up their cross daily, and following him. 
  • Growing together: Disciples grow spiritually by walking alongside other disciples, encouraging each other, and praying together. 
  • Showing others: Disciples show others how to live a life that pleases God. 

Discipleship in the Bible

The word “disciple” appears in the New Testament in the Gospels and Acts. The concept of a disciple originated in the ancient Near East.

Discipleship today

Discipleship is a lifelong journey of faith that involves learning, growing, and showing others how to live out their faith.

Not bad I have to say!

Now ever since we started looking at what it means to have the Spirit of God within us and upon us beginning back in April of last year, my thoughts have often turned to the parable of the talents and minas.

Knowing as we do, the very purpose of the Spirit within and upon is to establish the rule of Jesus in the human heart – which is just another way of saying, to spread the message of kingdom of God and to increase the kingdom of God.

This is spoken of throughout the New Testament by various terms. 

It is to do the work of the kingdom, it is to do the work of God, it is to be empowered witnesses, it is the great commission of going into the world and making disciples.

The Great commission from the synoptic gospels

Matthew 28:16-20, “(16) The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them.  (17)  When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted.  (18)  Then Jesus came near and said to them,“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19)  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20)  teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Mark 16:14-19, “(14) Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected.  

(15)  Then He said to them, 

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 

(16)  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 

(17)  And these signs will accompany those who believe: 

In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; (18)  they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

(19)  Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.”

Luke 24:36-49, “(36) And as they were saying these things, He Himself stood among them. He said to them,“Peace to you!”

(37)  But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.  

(38)  “Why are you troubled?” He asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? (39)  Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.”

(40)  Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet.  (41)  But while they still could not believe because of their joy and were amazed, He asked them, 

“Do you have anything here to eat?” 

(42)  So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish,  (43)  and He took it and ate in their presence.  (44)  Then He told them, 

“These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you–that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

(45)  Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.  

(46)  He also said to them,“This is what is written: the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, (47)  and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

(48)  You are witnesses of these things. 

(49)  And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

A summary of the commission itself is – 

  • Preaching the facts about Jesus as Messiah AND Lord (all authority has been given Me in My name, THEREFORE, Go!)
  • Preaching repentance for forgiveness in Jesus name.
  • Baptize those who believe in the name of Father, Son and Spirit.
  • Teaching them to be familiar with and obey what Jesus taught.
  • BEING a witness to the truth of the message.
  • Signs of the kingdom will follow those who believe:
    • In My name they will drive out demons.
    • They will speak in new languages.
    • They will pick up snakes.
    • If they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them.
    • They will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.
  • Remembering that we are NOT alone in this – Jesus in the person of the Spirit is with us always.

That the part about snakes and poison is NOT talking about tempting God in the action is clear. In keeping with the passage these are intended as signs which accompany our testimony in Jesus, our witness about Jesus and our preaching of the Gospel of the person and kingdom of Jesus.

Thus when Paul had a snake jump out of the fire and bite him. He shook it off into the fire and it was used as a sign of confirmation to the truth and power of the gospel.

It is also recorded in some of early apocryphal writings about the apostles that John was brought before Domitian, and made to drink poison, which did not hurt him: the dregs of it killed a criminal on whom it was tried: and furthermore that John then revived him. Domitian, is also there named as being the one who banished John to Patmos where the last revelation of Jesus to His church was given to him.

At any rate, these later examples being true or not – they offer examples of the context in which this promise is to be understood.

Contrary to what is often taught – this promise was not TO the apostles, Jesus had already told them as much at other times. The text clearly says these signs were to follow those who believed their testimony. In other words, those converted to Christ through their ministries would have these attesting signs follow them as they in turn spread the gospel to others.

Some have argued this was for the 1st century church alone since the early spread of the GoodNews needed more affirmation and confirmation in the beginning. Of course this is anything but true. The more familiar a society becomes with a faith, the less they truly believe it. If that were the only reason for signs then we should have many times MORE need for signs today than they did then!

No this is nothing more than human reasoning to explain away what people believe they do or do not see.

I do not pretend to know if these signs are something that is 100% reliable today or not. That they still happen is 100% certain, but whether they can be expected is another issue.

This is NOT because I do not believe in God’s power or willingness, but because of Jesus’ Own words regarding signs. In His Own ministry, signs were given for short periods of time in various areas in order to demonstrate God’s power authenticating the message of the gospel and so encourage belief.

However, we see that after signs had been accomplished in an area, if they persisted in asking for more so that they might be convinced no sign was then offered. To think that God would now work differently than then is unwarranted.

Our nation has had times of GREAT signs and wonders which resulted in both believers and hardened doubters. If these signs are to be afforded every generation then it would seem that we should expect to see them as the Spirit leads. I personally think it is a mistake to assume it will happen every time the gospel is preached, but I am MORE than willing to be proven wrong. I have stated my reasons for this, but God alone is sovereign and if we are followers of the Spirit’s leading we will see signs without question. I just do not believe it will be everytime.

Let me add one more thought here. This passage has been used for generations as proof that believers can lay hands on each other for healing and always expect it. While I believe God does desire health and in the greatest majority of examples WILL heal, there are times when healing will NOT come – either due to active sin, seasons of reaping or simply through failure to believe. The MAIN issue is that THIS promise is a SIGN and is therefore for UNBELIEVERS – not for the saints.

We have our own promises and I believe it would constitute a type of ‘bait and switch’ to encourage people into the kingdom through deliverance and healing and then deny the same to them once they are in.

Jesus said to those who accused Him of casting out demons by the prince of demons that if He (Jesus) cast out devils before them by the power of the Spirit and the finger of God then they could know for certain that the kingdom of God has in fact come to them! – Matthew 12:28

When John the Baptist had a crisis of faith while in Herod’s prison he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask if He was the Messiah. Jesus’ answer was to do ministry in front of them all day and then sent them back to John saying, “Go tell John what you have seen and heard: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news proclaimed to them. Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” – Luke 7:22,23

What “good news”, the good news of the kingdom! But notice what validated the kingdom – signs and wonders. 

No decently informed Christian doubts for one minute that they have authority over the devil and demons in their own life. They do not live in fear of being possessed, or controlled by them because they are in Christ and are part of His kingdom. Well if the example Jesus set forth as proof that He was Messiah and that the kingdom had come was deliverance from demons AND healing, why would we believe we are still delivered from demons and fail to believe that healing is ours?

In like manner, even as a Christian the devil can gain advantage if we are not watchful. In fact, as we just read last week in 2 Timothy 3, he can even gain a certain amount of control and take us captive to do his will if we are not living in love of God and if we are accepting as truth distortions of the gospel. So it should be no surprise if we are living in sin or have done so for some time, if we reap sickness and disease in our bodies for a time or even unto death – even though we are in fact part of the body.

We may have to circle back around to this at another time, since I sense some of you have lingering questions about this though I have taught on it before. 

For today however, I feel we NEED to tack down some of the truths we have learned about being a living and empowered witness through this letter from Paul to Timothy.

I took time yesterday to look up the occurrences of The Kingdom of God in the New Testament and jotted down what the scriptures say are required of us as participants in the kingdom of God and then in its transmission – its proclamation and as its living witnesses.

In other words, what is required of us as those the Spirit is within and those the Spirit is upon.

And the examples are in keeping with what we have otherwise discovered already, but I think they solidify for us from scripture what is in fact required of believers.

So that is what we will be looking at next week as we continue our study on Being and making Disciples!

Blessings!

Tri

Pastor Mark

View posts by Pastor Mark

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!