THE GREAT COMMISSION – “GOING” IN WHOSE STRENGTH? Penge Baptist Church 11 th October 2009

The Great Commission “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18b-20)

Evangelism and ministry Heroes of the early church…. ….but still our command today to “go” In our own strength – make disciples and teach them…. ….or in Christ’s – his presence and authority too

Traps of the self-driven Evangelism without objective Social action without proclamation Following false doctrines about salvation Ministry without miracles, hell, sin A church of little prayer Disunity, money-focus and the “good show”

Scriptural warnings Being true to Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” Not tolerating sin: 1 Corinthians 5:2 “a man has his Father’s wife – and you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?” Avoiding disunity: 1 Corinthians 6:6-7 “one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers!” A compromised and inauthentic message: 2 Timothy 3:5 “a form of godliness but denying its power”

Heidi and Rolland Baker

Leaning on Jesus to “go” Evangelism Words of knowledge to inspire: 1 Corinthians 12:8, “To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit” God guides our tongues: Matthew 10:19-20 “do not worry about what to say or how to say it; at that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” Guidance where to proclaim: Acts 16:6-7 “Paul and his companions travelled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.”

Gifts of the spirit to inspire seekers: 1 Corinthians 14: “But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!””

Social action to care for souls Salvation only through Jesus: John 14:16 “I am the way and the truth and the life, no-one comes to the father except through me”.

Ministry Proclaim Jesus’ miracles – and they happen today Hard truths of Judgement Day and hell: Matthew 25:41 “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” Proclaiming sin, but also “Freedom in Christ” Fervent in prayer Unity: John 17:23 “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” A relationship and not a religion!

A relationship and not a religion Jesus is alive and he is here with us! “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” And Jesus is mighty! “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” The church must be a rescue centre, not a social club….

The Great Commission needs the bread of life! (Matthew 28:18b-20) “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” “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 commanded you.” “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” “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 commanded you.” “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”