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The Great Commission: The Call, The Cost, The Words That Shape Our Mission

 

Today, we're going to talk about one of the most important commands Jesus gave to His followers. It's referred to as The Great Commission. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says:

 

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

 

This wasn’t a suggestion.It was a command.It's the mission for all Christians. These words are for you and me, right here, right now. We're not just called to believe in Him; We're called to make disciples. We're called to share the Good News with others, to baptise them, and to teach them to follow Jesus. It’s about stepping out and transforming lives with the love of Christ. 

 

Are you living out the mission, or just sitting on the message?.In Romans 10:14-15, Paul asks, "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" This is the importance of evangelism. We can't call on Jesus if we don't believe. We can't believe if we haven't heard, and we can't hear about Him without someone sharing the Gospel. People need to hear the gospel to believe it; they need you to tell them. Your words, your kindness, or story could be the spark that leads someone to Christ. Someone shared the gospel with you. Now it’s your turn to pass it on.

 

The message is simple: Jesus died for our sins, Acts 4:12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." This is the core of the message that we're called to share with others.

 

Why should we share the Gospel with others? Not to grow a church. Not to win religious arguments. We evangelise because souls are dying without Christ.

 

Judgment is not a metaphor. Eternity is real. 2 Peter 3:9 says: “The Lord… is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” If God doesn’t want people to perish, neither should we. If you had the cure for cancer, would you keep it to yourself? Then how much more should we share the cure for sin?

 

We should share it because of the love of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:14, Paul says, "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died." The love of Christ motivates us to share the Gospel with others. It’s not just about saving souls from hell (though that’s critical). It’s about introducing people to the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” When you share the gospel, you’re offering hope to the hopeless, peace to the anxious, and love to the lonely. 

 

Before we even get to the command to “go,” we have to back up one verse. Verse 18 says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’” This is the foundation! We do not go in our own authority or strength. We go in the power of Jesus. Do you have fear at the thought of speaking up? Jesus has authority over that fear, and He is with you.

 

Let’s look at the first word: “Go.” It’s an action. Jesus didn’t say, “wait.” He said, “Go!” Revival begins with movement. Too many Christians do nothing while people are dying in sin. Now you may say, “I’m not a preacher.” But Evangelism is not a pulpit activity it’s a people activity. You don’t need a microphone to be a witness. You just need a mouth and a message.

 

Let’s look at what it means to “make disciples” A disciple isn’t just someone who believes in Jesus; it’s someone who follows Him and lives like Him. Making disciples means inviting people into a relationship with Christ and helping them grow in faith and charis. It’s not about quick conversions; it’s about teaching them about the lifelong process of transformation. We're called to be disciple-makers. We're all called to teach them to follow Jesus. As Jesus Himself said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Making disciples is about walking alongside someone and helping them deny themselves, pick up their cross, and follow Jesus every single day.

 

On discipleship, Jesus then expanded “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded.” Invite someone for coffee and read a chapter of the Bible together. Teaching what it really means, answering their questions. And model for them what it looks like to forgive, to serve, to give, to pray. It’s not about loading them with information, but about helping them apply the truth of Jesus to every part of their life. The apostle Paul understood this mission. He told the young church in Corinth, “I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:15). He wasn’t just a preacher; he was a spiritual parent, teaching them to obey. This is our call! To help others grow in Christ.

 

Now, who are them? The Greek word here is eth'-nos, meaning all people, all races, and backgrounds… everyone. We are to have a global vision. He died for the druggie and the college professor, the rich and the poor, the sinner and the saint. He died for all. So we are called to reach all. Your “them” is your office, your gym, your social circle, your street. It’s the immigrant family at the grocery store. 

We are compelled to cross those social barriers with love.

 

2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” Paul’s words to Timothy show us that discipleship is a chain reaction. We teach others, who teach others, who teach others. Imagine the impact if every one of us mentored one person in their faith each month. The ripple effect would be unstoppable!

 

The church today has many “fans” of Jesus but few disciples. A fan will cheer from the sidelines; a disciple picks up their cross and walks behind the Saviour. We’re not just inviting people to pray a prayer we’re inviting them into a new way of life. A sinner's prayer is the start, not the finish line. They need to grow: Bible study, fellowship, correction, encouragement. The Great Commission doesn’t stop at baptism; it moves into mentoring. When we teach people to obey the Word, we are equipping them to live in victory. A Christian who doesn’t know the Word is like a soldier without a weapon. teaching them to obey everything He commanded. It’s not just a transfer of information, but a transformation of lives. As Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” We use the Word of God to equip people to live out their faith.

 

This call may seem overwhelming. It can feel too big for us. What if someone rejects us? What if we don’t have the right words? Look at how Jesus ends this passage: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” God is with us on this mission. We don’t go alone. He is with us in the moment of fear, in the moment of uncertainty, and in the moment of triumph. The promise of His presence is what gives us the courage to go. As Hebrews 13:5, reminds us “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be connected to the One who does. Your job is to be obedient to go, to love, to speak, to invite and to trust that the Holy Spirit will do the work of convicting, convincing and converting. We are called to be faithful, the Holy Spirit provides the power. and opens doors, giving you the words when you don’t know what to say. Boldness when fear grips your heart. As the Apostle Paul, one of the greatest evangelists who ever lived, confessed, “I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:3-4). It is the Spirit’s power, not our own. Our weakness enables God’s strength.

 

Evangelism will cost you something. It may cost you your comfort, your reputation, or time. But the crown is worth the cross. The Great Commission isn’t optional. It’s not just for missionaries or pastors it’s for all of us. The world is hurting, searching for hope in all the wrong places. You have the answer: Jesus Christ. Don’t keep Him to yourself. Imagine if every one of us shared the gospel with just one person this week. Our community would be transformed. Lives would be changed. Families would be restored. And heaven would rejoice, 

 

As Luke 15:7 says: 

“There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents 

than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

“Go”
Not “Come to church and let the pastor do it.”
Not “Let the extroverts do it.”
Not “Let the young people do it.”

YOU go.

 

So, what does this look like on a Monday or Tuesday? It looks like living a life of intentional love It’s praying every morning for opportunities and the courage to take them. It’s helping someone.It’s listening really listening to someone’s struggles and then asking,“You know, I’ve found a lot of peace through my faith. Can I pray for you about that?” It’s sharing your story. Revelation 12:11 says, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Your testimony is a powerful weapon. Invite someone to church, dinner, or a conversation about faith. Pray for them, listen to them, and walk with them as they grow. Discipleship is a relationship, not a program.

 

You are not called to do everything. But you are called to do something. You are called to go. To make disciples. To baptise. To teach. In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul says, "Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Now is the time to share the Gospel with others. Now is the time to make disciples.

 

Today, I challenge you to do three things:

Pray for one person who needs Jesus. Name them. Call them to God.

Prepare to share your testimony. 

Plan one intentional moment this week to share the gospel. At work, on the phone, online make a move.
 

Don’t wait for a pulpit. The world is your platform. So, let’s commit today to live out the Great Commission. Let’s go, make disciples, baptise, and teach. Let’s step out in faith, trusting that Jesus is with us always. Will you take that step? Will you share the love of Christ with someone this week? The world is waiting, and God is ready to use you. Remembering 1 Peter 3:15 “but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for  the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” We need to be wise, to know when to back off with gentleness and respect.

 

Let's pray that God will give us the hearts of disciple-makers.

 

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge the authority of your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive us for the times we failed to present your message when you called us to speak. Holy Spirit, fall afresh on us now. Give us your heart for the lost. Help us see the opportunities you place before us. Give us your words to speak. Melt our fear with the overwhelming truth of your presence. We choose today to embrace our commission. Not as a duty, but as a joy. Not in our strength, but in yours. Make us a church known for our love, compassion, and boldness in sharing the hope of Christ. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.