Great Commission

1. Summer is a busy season for churches worldwide due to their summer programs, such as Vacation Bible School (VBS) and outreach initiatives. Our church successfully completed VBS two weeks ago, and now we are planning to join Calgary Korean Church in a summer outreach program for the First Nations from August 10th to 16th. We are grateful that God has graciously allowed us to contribute to this effort by funding a portion of the deck repairs.

2. As I was preparing for today's sermon, I felt led to delve into the meaning of outreach and mission work. Why do we engage in mission trips or summer outreach programs, and what motivates us to allocate a portion of our budget to these efforts? What exactly do we mean by mission work and outreach? Let us explore these questions together in today's message.

Matthew 28:18–20 NRSV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

3. We often refer to these verses as the Great Commission, as they were Jesus' final instructions to his disciples before ascending to heaven after his resurrection. The Great Commission has served as the foundation and inspiration for mission work and outreach efforts throughout history. Churches worldwide have strived to fulfill this command, spreading the Gospel and making disciples of all nations.

4. Examining these verses closely, we see three distinct parts: going and making disciples, baptizing, and teaching. However, the foundation for all these actions lies in the fact that Jesus possesses all authority in heaven and on earth. This authority has not been given to us, but to Jesus alone. Yet, Jesus commands his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations.How can we fulfill this command when we do not possess the authority of heaven and earth?

5. To gain a deeper understanding of this, we can turn to another instance where Jesus instructed his disciples to provide food for a multitude of people. Let's read Mark chapter 6, the story of the five loaves and two fish.

Mark 6:34–35 NASB 2020

When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. And when it was already late, His disciples came up to Him and said, “This place is secluded and it is already late;

Mark 6:36–37 NASB 2020

send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread, and give it to them to eat?”

6. In this passage, Jesus instructs his disciples to feed the multitude. The disciples were understandably panicked, as they lacked the resources to provide food for such a large crowd. However, instead of rebuking them for their lack of faith or ability, Jesus simply made them to give the people something to eat.

Mark 6:39–41 NIV

Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.

Mark 6:42–44 NRSV

And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.

7. In this story, we witness how the disciples were able to feed the multitude simply by following Jesus' instructions and remaining in his presence. The fact that they collected twelve baskets of leftover food signifies that all twelve disciples experienced this miracle by obeying Jesus and trusting in his guidance. This demonstrates that we can participate in the authority of Jesus when we follow his word and align ourselves with his ways. In this context, faith means trusting in Jesus' words and simply going forth to make disciples of all nations. We do not need to request authority or power, as those belong to Jesus alone. Instead, we can pray to perceive and realize our union with Jesus Christ, just as the twelve disciples were united with him when they fed the multitude.

8. Therefore, we need not seek any special power or ability when we do God's work, because we are already united with Jesus through faith. We can simply go and begin making disciples of Jesus. However, it's important to remember that the term "disciple" does not refer to any particular elite or highly trained individual. In the first century, all believers were called disciples of Jesus. The terms "follower of Jesus" or "follower of The Way" were used interchangeably, meaning that once someone believed in and accepted Jesus, they were considered a disciple. Thus, when we go and make disciples of all nations, it means we first help others to believe in Jesus and follow His way. It is akin to helping them recognize their new identity in Christ through faith. They are no longer ordinary people, but disciples of Jesus once they accept Him as their Lord and Savior!

9. According to Matthew, those who become disciples—meaning they believe in Jesus and embrace their new identity in him—can be baptized as a public declaration of their faith and new identity in Christ. I appreciate Balthasar Hubmaier's description of baptism as "the pledge of love and obedience." It signifies a commitment to love and obey God first and foremost, and then to extend that love and obedience to the church and fellow believers. Therefore, baptism encompasses faith in Christ, acceptance of a new identity in him, and a response of love and obedience to both God and the Christian community.  To be baptized, to declare this pledge of love and obedience, is ultimately to follow the path of love exemplified by Jesus.

1 John 4:10–12 NIV

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

10. Thus, it is incumbent upon us to love one another as baptized believers. I encourage those who have not yet been baptized to consider taking this step, as it signifies a declaration of love for God, the church, and fellow believers. Once we baptize those from all nations who become disciples of Jesus, we can then teach them how to live their lives in a way that honors God and furthers His kingdom.

Matthew 28:20 NRSV

and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

11. When we think of teaching, some people might feel inadequate, believing that formal theological education is a prerequisite. However, the Greek word for "teaching" used in the Great Commission carries several meanings. While one meaning is indeed "to teach" in the sense of imparting knowledge, it also encompasses the concepts of "to instruct" or "to indicate." Teaching often focuses on sharing knowledge about a specific topic. However, when we emphasize the meanings of "to instruct" or "to indicate," we open the door to sharing personal experiences or insights related to a subject. Let me illustrate this with an example.

12. As I've shared before, my parents divorced when I was 21 or 22 years old, back in 1999. Even though I was technically an adult, the experience left me emotionally scarred. I struggled to cope with the fallout, and no one offered guidance on how to heal. However, I began sharing my emotions and struggles stemming from the divorce with friends and others who had experienced similar situations. It wasn't traditional "teaching," but rather an act of "indicating" or sharing my personal journey. When I shared my story, I intentionally maintained a lighthearted and humorous tone, avoiding any sense of heaviness or despair. Through this approach, those I shared with felt encouraged and empowered to find their own paths to healing. This experience taught me that even sharing personal experiences, rather than specialized knowledge or information, can uplift others and help them find hope in the Lord.

13. Therefore, teaching in this context does not necessarily entail sharing specialized knowledge or theological expertise about Jesus and his work. Instead, it involves sharing our personal conversion stories, how we encountered Jesus, and how we came to believe in him with those who have not yet experienced his love and grace. It is not about reciting doctrine, but rather about sharing our personal testimonies. We can share what we have personally experienced and how we have come to be united with Jesus. When we do this, Jesus will empower us with his authority to touch the lives of others.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me (and I will be with you wherever you go). Therefore (you should) go and make disciples of all nations (those who need God), baptizing them (making them declare the pledge of love and obedience to God and to fellow disciples) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them (indicating, instructing, and sharing them) to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20, Frankie’s translation)

14. When we visit the First Nation's reserve, we will be repairing buildings, offering haircuts, and leading VBS. However, our primary purpose is not to impart specialized knowledge or skills. Instead, we will be there to share our personal testimonies, demonstrating through our lives why we love Jesus and follow His path.

15. Our aim is not to simply offer financial assistance or material aid. Rather, we seek to reveal the heart of God and what He has done for us through sharing our own experiences of transformation and redemption. We are already equipped with what we need to share because we are united with Jesus. When we go, make disciples, baptize, and teach, Jesus will work through us because He possesses all authority in heaven and on earth. Do not be afraid to share your story in Jesus. Do not hesitate to open your hearts to those who are longing for the love of Jesus. As disciples of Jesus, it is our calling to share the love we have received with the world.

Follow-up Questions for Sermon:

1. How does the story of the five loaves and two fish inspire us to participate in mission and outreach, even when we feel inadequate or lacking in resources?

2. In what ways can we personally relate to the disciples' initial fear and doubt in the face of Jesus' command to feed the multitude?

3. How does the concept of "union with Christ" empower us to fulfill the Great Commission, and how can we cultivate a deeper awareness of this union in our lives?

4. What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus in today's world, and how can we actively participate in making disciples of all nations?

5. How does baptism represent a "pledge of love and obedience" to God and the church, and what are the implications of this commitment for our daily lives?

6. In what ways can we "teach" or "instruct" others about Jesus through our personal experiences and testimonies, rather than relying solely on theological knowledge?

7. As we prepare for the upcoming mission trip to the First Nation's reserve, how can we focus on sharing the heart of God and our own transformation stories, rather than simply providing material assistance?

8. What practical steps can we take to overcome our fears and hesitations in sharing our faith with others, trusting in Jesus' authority to work through us?

9. How can we cultivate a deeper sense of love and obedience towards God and one another, as exemplified by Jesus and emphasized in 1 John 4:10-12?

10. In what ways can we encourage and support each other in fulfilling the Great Commission, recognizing that we are all called to share the love of Jesus with the world?