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Matthew 28:19, 20 - Jesus Gives The Great Commission.

Matthew 28:19, 20 - Jesus Gives The Great Commission.

Matthew 28:19, 20 (NKJV) Go therefore and make disciples of all 
the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son 
and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that 
I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the 
end of the age." Amen.  

WORD STUDY

Baptizing them: As a sign of their union with and commitment to 
Christ [NIV SB] 

INTRODUCTION

The great charter of the Christian church. [SDA Commentary]

Compare this with the great promise that the gospel of the 
kingdom would be "preached in all the world for a witness unto all 
nations" (see on Matt. 24:14). This commission is sometimes referred to 
as the "charter of foreign missions." Christianity was the first 
religion to assume a truly international character. Pagan religions were 
largely devoid of missionary zeal and activity. They were primarily 
national in character and did not set out to make converts of other 
national groups. The gospel commission effectively eliminates national 
boundaries, and men of all nations find themselves members of one great 
brotherhood in which "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond 
nor free, there is neither male nor female," for all are "one in 
Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28; cf. Col. 3:11). Christianity effectively 
destroys all barriers of race, nationality, society, economics, and 
social custom. Christianity depends for success on its disentanglement 
from all national peculiarities, forms of government, social 
institutions, and everything of a purely local character. [SDA Commentary] 

COMMENTARY APPLICATION 

Evangelism is for all Christians. We are to go--whether it is 
next door or to another country--and make disciples. It is not an 
option, but a command to all who call Jesus "Lord." We are not all 
evangelists in the formal sense, but we have all received gifts that we can 
use to help fulfill the Great Commission. As we obey, we have 
comfort in the knowledge that Jesus is always with us. [Life Application 
SB] 

Jesus commands that we go, make disciples, baptize, and teach, 
so that others may do the same. It doesn't matter whether you share 
your faith with your next-door neighbor or travel to the far corners 
of the earth - you are to "go." This was not a suggestion; it was a 
command to all who call him "Lord."  How do you do this? First Peter 
3:15 says, "If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be 
ready to explain it." Just be willing to share your own story. Think 
about why you made a decision to put your faith in Jesus. Think about 
the differences in your life since you became a Christian. Never 
underestimate the strength of your personal testimony. Those who listen to 
what you say may be greatly affected, and you may have the joy of 
welcoming a new member into the family of God! [The One Year Bible for New 
Believers re Mat. 28:19, 20] 

  Our Master commands us to "go." We need permission to stay! 
The gospel is the account of Jesus' leaving His Father's right hand 
to go to Calvary. Jesus instructed those who wanted to be His 
disciples to leave their homes and their comforts and follow Him. Some 
insisted that they could not go yet because they still had to care for 
elderly parents (Lu 9:59-60). Others wanted to make sure everything was 
in order first (Lu 9:61-62). Still others expressed willingness to 
follow but wanted to know the details of what they would be doing (Lu 
9:57-58). Jesus never excused those who struggled to follow Him. He made 
it clear that to follow Him meant He set the direction and they 
were to follow.  
  We can convince ourselves that Jesus does not really want us 
to adjust our lives, pointing to the success we are enjoying right 
where we are. Yet Jesus often told His disciples to go elsewhere in 
spite of the success they were experiencing. Peter had just pulled in 
the greatest catch of fish of his entire career when Jesus invited 
him to leave everything (Lu 5:1-11). Philip was enjoying astounding 
success as an evangelist when the Holy Spirit instructed him to go to 
the desert (As 8:25-40). Success where we are can be our greatest 
hindrance to going where Jesus wants us to be.  
  If you become too comfortable where you are, you may resist 
Christ's invitation to go elsewhere. Don't assume that God does not want 
you to go in service to Him. He may lead you across the street to 
share the gospel with your neighbor or to the other side of the world. 
Wherever He leads, be prepared to go. [Experiencing God Day by Day by 
Henry and Richard Blackaby re Mat. 28:19] 

  There are two ways to look at every situation: How it will 
affect you, and how it will affect God's kingdom. The apostle Paul was 
always concerned with how his circumstances might aid the spreading of 
the Gospel. When he was unjustly imprisoned, he immediately looked 
to see how his imprisonment might provide God's salvation to others 
(Php 1:13; Ac 16:19-34). When he was assailed by an angry mob, he 
used the opportunity to preach the Gospel (Ac 22:1-21). When Paul's 
criminal proceedings took him before the king, his thoughts were on 
sharing his faith with the king! (Acts 26:1-32). Even when Paul was 
shipwrecked on an island, he used that opportunity to share the gospel 
there. Regardless of his circumstance, Paul's concern was how he could 
use his current situation to tell others of God's good news of 
salvation.  
  Often when we encounter a new situation, our first thoughts 
are not about God's kingdom . When we face a crisis, we can become 
angry or fearful for our own wellbeing, rather than looking to see 
what God intends to do through our circumstances. If we remain 
self-centered we will miss so much of what God could do through our 
experiences, both for us and for those around us.  
  Ask God to make you aware of how He could use your present 
circumstances to bless others. Perhaps someone around you needs to see the 
difference Christ's presence makes in your life. Are you willing for God to 
use your circumstances to demonstrate His saving power to those 
around you? [Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby 
re Phil. 1:12] 

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a vital part of the gospel 
message, for a dead Christ can save nobody (1 Cor. 15:1-19). The empty 
tomb is proof that He is the Son of God (Rom. 1:4); that believers 
have a future inheritance (1 Pet. 1:3ff.); that we will once again 
meet Christians who have died (1 Thess. 4:14-18); that our Christian 
ministry is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:50-58); and that Jesus Christ will one 
day judge lost sinners (Acts 17:30-31). The early church bore 
witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:22; 4:2, 33), and so 
should we today. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren 
Wiersbe] 

"Go teaching and preaching out of your living experience with 
Christ." [In His Time; My Utmost For His Highest re Mat.28:18,19] 

EXCELLENT SERMON RELATED TO THIS PASSAGE: The Issachar Factor 2 
by Dwight Nelson 

http://media.pmchurch.org/wmedia/2009-05-23_Issachar-2.wmv

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