Sunday Sermon
WHAT IS THE GREAT COMMISSION
Go, Going, Gone
Date: October 7, 2007
Speaker: Pastor Gerry Gregoire
Scriptural Reference: Matthew 28:19-20
Listen to Audio Sermon

Matthew 28:19-20 (Amplified Bible)
19Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them [a]into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you [b]all the days ([c]perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. [d]Amen (so let it be).

WHAT WAS JESUS DOING IN THESE VERSES? I TELL YOU, HE WAS NOT STARTING ANOTHER PYRAMID SCHEME NOR WAS HE STARTING A SOCIAL CLUB.

HE WAS BEGINNING TO PUT INTO PLAY WHAT THE FATHER HAD PLANNED EVEN BEFORE TIME BEGAN, AND THAT WAS TO RECONCILE MEN BACK TO HIMSELF. HE WAS SENDING OUT THE GREATEST AND MOST POWERFUL ARMY EVER ASSEMBLED. AN ARMY WHOSE PRIMARY MISSION WAS TO GET MEN INTO HEAVEN AND BACK INTO THE GRACES OF GOD. IT WAS AN ARMY THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO SHOW PEOPLE HOW WE ARE TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD. AN ARMY THAT WOULD OCCUPY THE EARTH UNTIL JESUS COMES AGAIN AND ONE THAT WOULD ENFORCE THE VICTORY THAT THE LORD HAD WON. AN ARMY THAT WOULD SHOW THE PRINCIPALITIES WHO WAS REALLY IN CHARGE. LOOK AT EPHESIANS 3:8-11—

Ephesians 3:10-11 (Amplified Bible)
10[The purpose is] that through the church the [a]complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.
11This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord,

LAUNCHING THIS GREAT SPIRITUAL POWER INTO THE EARTH WAS NO SMALL THING WITH GOD.

THE BODY OF CHRIST HAD TO BE PROPERLY ARMED BECAUSE IT’S BATTLE WOULD NOT BE AGAINST HUMAN BEINGS BUT AGAINST THE VERY CREATIONS OF HELL THAT ARE HELLBENT ON KEEPING MEN SEPARATED FROM GOD.

LAST TIME I MINISTERED. I SPOKE ABOUT TWO QUALITIES THAT THE CHURCH MUST POSSESS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. THEY NEEDED TO BECOME THE SALT OF THE EARTH AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD. SEE MATTHEW 5:13-16 —

Matthew 5:13-16 (Amplified Bible)
13You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men.
14You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16Let your light so shine before men that they may see your [a]moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and [b]recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.

THAT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING OF WHAT GOD NEEDED TO DO TO GET THIS ARMY READY. THEY WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE INFUSED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT SO AS TO HAVE THE CHARACTER OF JESUS THROUGH THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AND THE POWER THAT CAUSES SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO OPERATE IN THEIR LIVES AS THE NORM. THIS ALSO INCLUDED A SECRET WAY TO PRAY THAT WOULD BE THE PRAYING OF GOD’S WILL INTO EVERY SITUATION. THAT IS TO SAY THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH THE ABILITY TO PRAY UNSELFISHLY IN THE SPIRIT DIRECTLY TO GOD. LOOK AT 1 CORINTHIANS 14:2 –

1 Corinthians 14:2 (Amplified Bible)
2For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].

YOU SEE THIS WAS A WAY TO GET PAST THE DEVIL SO HE CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE PRAYING.

IN WORLD WAR 2 THE US ARMY WOULD SPEAK IN THE AMERICAN INDIAN LANGUAGE OF NAVAHO SO THE ENEMY COULD NOT INTERCEPT MESSAGES AND STRATEGIES.
GOD DIDN’T FORGET A THING.

HE STARTED OFF WITH 12 UNLIKELIES, WHO NO ONE WOULD HAVE EVER GUESSED ANYONE WOULD USE TO TURN THE TIDE OF THE WORLD THAT WAS CORRUPT AND DIRTY. LOOK AT WHAT HE TELLS THEM IN MATTHEW 28:18 –

Matthew 28:18 (Amplified Bible)
18Jesus approached and, [a]breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

HE SAYS THAT GOD THE FATHER HAS GIVEN HIM ALL POWER AND AUTHORITY. DO YOU COMPREHEND WHAT HE JUST SAID? NOTHING WOULD TOP THE POWER THAT HE HAD BEEN GIVEN BY THE FATHER. ALL POWER!!! AND IN

LUKE 10:19
19Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

ARE YOU SEEING AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT HAPPENED IN THE GOSPELS THAT MADE THE GREAT COMMISSION POSSIBLE? HIS DISCIPLES HAD TO HAVE CERTAIN TRAITS THAT WOULD MAKE THEIR JOBS ON EARTH POSSIBLE.

REMEMBER WHAT WE READ IN THE BEGINNING IN MATTHEW 28:19-20 ----
Matthew 28:19-20 (Amplified Bible)
19Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them [a]into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you [b]all the days ([c]perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. [d]Amen (so let it be).

HE NOW TELLS THEM TO GO AND MAKE MORE DISCIPLES THAT WILL HAVE THE SAME POWER THAT HE WAS GIVING THEM AND THEN HE SAYS, I WILL BE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY.

A COMMISSION IS A SET OF ORDERS OR INSTRUCTIONS, TO GO, WAS NOT A SUGGESTION IT WAS A COMMAND. THE WORD GO WHEN HE SPOKE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES MEANS TO DIE TO SELF AND EXPERIENCE WHAT I HAVE TAUGHT AND SHOWN YOU. SEE FOR YOURSELF. PIERCE THROUGH THE PHONINESS OF THE WORLD AND SHOW THEM WHAT REAL LIFE IS ALL ABOUT. ARE YOU GETTING THIS? THAT WORD “GO” MEANT MORE THAN WE CAN EVER COMPREHEND ON OUR OWN, IT WAS A CHALLENGE TO THE DISCIPLES TO GET DONE WHAT THEY ALREADY SEEN WORK.

AND THAT IS WHY OUR FAITH TODAY MUST BE STRONG BECAUSE THE THINGS THAT WERE DONE IN THOSE DAYS SHOULD BE DONE IN TODAY’S WORLD.

WHAT PEOPLE WITNESS IN YOUR LIFE ,AS YOU ARE GOING FROM DAY TO DAY, IS REALLY WHAT MAKES DISCIPLES. AS YOU DO THE THINGS THAT THE GREAT COMMISSION ENCOMPASSES PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DENY THE VALIDITY OF THE BIBLE AND THE WORDS OF GOD.

JESUS TELLS US TO GO AND EVANGELIZE THE WORLD, TELL THEM THAT THEY DON’T HAVE TO GO TO HELL AND DEMONSTRATE THE POWER THAT I HAVE GIVEN YOU. BE THAT SALT AND BE THAT LIGHT. CREATE A THIRST FOR ME AND REMOVE THE DARKNESS THAT SURROUNDS THE MINDS THAT ARE NOT PART OF THE KINGDOM. SHOW THEM, THROUGH DEMONSTRATION THAT THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO LIVE.

WHEN YOU DO THIS, THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL CONVICT THEM AND THEY WILL RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL.
AFTER CONVICTION, TEACH THEM THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING AND OBEYING MY WORD. IF THEY DON’T DO THIS, THEY WILL BECOME STILL BORNS AND NEVER REACH THE HEIGHT THAT I HAVE PLANNED FOR THEM.

ALL NEW CHRISTIANS NEED A SPIRITUAL MENTOR. SO, YOUR JOB DOES NOT STOP AFTER THEY MAKE A DISCISION.

THEY MUST BE MENTORED BY A SPIRITUAL FATHER AND OR MOTHER ,IF YOU WILL, YOU SHOULD NOT ONLY TEACH THEM TO OBEY AND DO THE WORD OF GOD BUT ALSO HOW THEY ALSO CAN BECOME MENTORS FOR OTHERS. THAT MY FRIENDS IS HOW THE CHURCH GROWS.

STRATEGIES FOR THE GREAT COMMISSION

THE GREAT COMMISSION IS REALLY VERY SIMPLE. IT’S A CALL TO MAKE DISCIPLES OR FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST. YOU MAY ASK, HOW DO WE GO INTO THE WORLD? GOOD QUESTION. YOU START RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE. SOME MAY BE CALLED TO OTHER COUNTRIES AS MISSIONARIES, BUT MOST WILL STAY AND REACH OUT RIGHT WHERE THEY LIVE. DISCIPLES ARE MADE ONE AT A TIME.

JESUS HAD SOME OF HIS DISCIPLES THAT WERE CLOSER TO HIM THAN OTHERS, YET HE WAS AVAILABLE FOR ALL AND INTIMATE WITH ALL. SAME GOES FOR US IN OUR LIVES. WE MAY HAVE SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE CLOSER TO US, YET WE NEED TO BE WILLING TO BE INTIMATE WITH ALL THOSE THAT ARE IN CHRIST. TO HELP THEM WHENEVER WE CAN.

LET’S LOOK A 1 PETER 2:5 —
1 Peter 2:5 (Amplified Bible)
5[Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST IS BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS. EACH OF US IS A BUILDING STONE FOR GOD’S USE IN BUILDING HIS KINGDOM. WE ARE BUILT AND HELD TOGETHER BY THESE GOD ORDAINED RELATIONSHIPS.

GOD’S INTENTION IS TO RAISE UP SPIRITUAL PARENTS WHO ARE WILLING TO NURTURE SPIRITUAL CHILDREN AND HELP THEM GROW UP IN THEIR CHRISTIAN LIVES, JUST AS IN THE NATURAL. AS YOUR CHILDREN GROW UP, THEY IN TURN BECOME SPIRITUAL PARENTS TO OTHERS AND THAT IS HOW THE CHURCH IS SUPPOSE TO GROW. WHAT HAS CREPT INTO THE CHURCH IS SELFISHNESS AND A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AS TO WHAT THE GREAT COMMISSION IS AND WHAT IT WAS MEANT TO ACHIEVE.

THE ONLY THING THAT WILL LAST WHEN YOU GET TO HEAVEN IS THE RELATIONSHIP YOU HAVE WITH GOD AND WITH ONE ANOTHER. THE EARLY CHURCH MET MOST OF THE TIME IN HOMES. THE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT IT WAS MORE OF A FAMILY SETTING. REMEMBER GOD IS A GOD OF THE FAMILY. IN HOMES WHERE THEY COULD NURTURE, EQUIP, AND SERVE EACH OTHER.

LOOK AT ACTS 2:46 —
Acts 2:46 (Amplified Bible)
46And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord's Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,

PEOPLE WERE CONTINUALLY ADDED TO THE CHURCH FAMILY BY GOD BECAUSE THESE CHRISTIANS PRACTICED LOVING ONE ANOTHER. THEY MET IN SMALL GROUPS BECAUSE IT WAS EASIER AND MORE EFFICIENT TO DISCIPLE PEOPLE.
EVENTUALLY WE ALSO WILL BE MEETING IN CELL GROUP. MANY CHURCHES HAVE OPTED TO USE THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE IT RENDERS OPPORTUNITY TO BE MORE INTIMATE WITH EACH OTHER. IT’S EASIER TO IDENTIFY GIFTS AND TALENTS IN EACH BELIEVER. IN THIS TYPE OF SETTING PEOPLE CAN LEARN TO PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER.

YOU SEE, THE GREAT COMMISSION IS REALLY MAKING DISCIPLES AND MAKING DISCIPLES JUST DON’T HAPPEN ON IT’S OWN. WE MUST PRAY AND ASK GOD TO SHOW US THOSE RELATIONSHIPS HE DESIRES FOR YOU TO BUILD SO YOU CAN “POUR YOUR LIFE” INTO OTHERS. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR SELFISHNESS AND CLIQUES. THE IDEA IS TO PRODUCE MATURE BELIEVERS THAT CAN ENDURE TO THE END AND NOT QUIT AT THE FIRST SIGN OF PRESSURE.

EVERYTHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE ACCORDING TO THE WORD, PROPERLY USED, THE WORD OF GOD HAS THE POWER TO TRANSFORM LIVES LOOK AT ROMANS 1:16, AND 1 COR 1:18 —

Romans 1:16 (Amplified Bible)
16For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,

1 Corinthians 1:18 (Amplified Bible)
18For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God.

THE GOSPEL IS LIKE DYNAMITE, IF USED PROPERLY IT CAN BE EARTH SHAKING AND QUITE EFFECTIVE TO HEWN OUT A NEW PATH FOR DISCIPLES TO FOLLOW.THIS GOSPEL WE HAVE CAN CHANGE WHOLE COMMUNITIES. DURING THE WELCH REVIVAL IN THE EARLY 1900'S MANY POLICE OFFICERS HAD NOTHING TO DO, CRIME HAD DIMINISHED DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE GOSPEL. SO, THEY FORMED QUARTETS AND SANG AT COMMUNITY FUNCTIONS.

REMEMBER YOUR LIFE IS READ LIKE A BOOK

LOOK AT 1 CORINTHIANS 11:1 —
1PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah)

WHAT KIND OF BOLDNESS DID PAUL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT AND CAN WE SAY THE SAME THING TODAY?

YOUR BEHAVIOR IN THIS WORLD CAN AND WILL MAKE DISCIPLES.
PEOPLE WILL IMITATE US WHEN OUR LIVES IMITATE A LOVE FOR GOD AND OTHERS. THEY WILL BE ATTRACTED TO JESUS BECAUSE OF SEEING HIS CHARACTER IN OUR LIVES.

SOME PEOPLE MAY NEVER READ A BIBLE. THE ONLY SPIRITUAL BOOK THAT SOME PEOPLE EVER READ IS THE BOOK OF YOUR LIFE.

IN FACT LOOK AT WHAT 2 CORINTHIANS 3:2-3 SAYS: —
2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (Amplified Bible)
2[No] you yourselves are our letter of recommendation (our credentials), written in [a]your hearts, to be known (perceived, recognized) and read by everybody.
3You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with [the] Spirit of [the] living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.(A)
OLD TESTAMENT LAWS WERE WRITTEN ON TABLETS OF STONE BUT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THEY ARE WRITTEN ON OUR HEARTS.

IF YOU ARE A PARENT, PEOPLE WATCH HOW YOU ARE RAISING YOUR KIDS. WHEN YOU PLAY SPORTS, DO YOU HAVE A GODLY ATTITUDE? IN YOUR HOMES, WORKPLACES AND SCHOOLS, PEOPLE ARE WATCHING TO SEE IF YOUR LIFE REALLY EXEMPLIFIES THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD.

IF THEY SEE YOU MAKE A MISTAKE OR FAIL, THEY WILL HOPEFULLY SEE YOU REPENT AND MAKE IT RIGHT.

IF YOU HAVE EVER WATCHED A TRUE CHRISTIAN LIVE HIS OR HER LIFE, YOU MIGHT SAY, THAT’S HOW I WANT TO LIVE. THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO SAY ABOUT YOUR LIFE.
YOU CAN LISTEN TO PREACHERS PREACH THE GOSPEL AND IT MIGHT SOUND GREAT, BUT HOW DO THEY LIVE THEIR LIVES FROM DAY TO DAY, THAT IS WHAT REALLY MATTERS. IT’S NOT JUST DO I SAY, IT’S DO AS I DO AS I FOLLOW THE MASTER!

GO TO HEBREWS 10:24 —

24And let us consider and give [1. a]attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,

THAT’S REALLY WHAT THE GREAT COMMISSION IS ABOUT, CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER AS WE MAKE DISCIPLES.

LOOK AT ECCLESIASTES 11:1 SAYS: —
Ecclesiastes 11
1. 1CAST YOUR bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.
PROVERBS 11:25 SAYS: —
25The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered.(A)

ARE YOU HEARING GOD’S WORD?
AS TO THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING IN THIS GREAT COMMAND LET’S LOOK AT WHAT MARK TELLS US IN MARK 16:17-19 AND WITH THIS WE WILL CLOSE,

Mark 16:17-19 (Amplified Bible)
17And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;
18They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.
19So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God.(A)

REALLY POWERFUL ACTS, WOULDN’T YOU SAY? ARE YOU DOING THESE THINGS AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND ARE WE DOING THESE THINGS AS A CHURCH? REMEMBER, IT’S A COMMAND NOT A “IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU DID.”
THESE THINGS ALONG WITH WHAT WE SPOKE ABOUT TODAY IS WHAT WILL BUILD OUR CHURCH HERE AT JESUS THE ROCK FELLOWSHIP. HAVE YOU BECOME SALT AND LIGHT? HAVE YOU GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS THE LORD GIVES US IN MATTHEW 5 KNOWN AS THE BEATITUDES? ARE YOU ABLE TO SAY, “FOLLOW ME AS I FOLLOW CHRIST?”

THE COMMAND WAS TO GO!
THE QUESTION IS ARE YOU GOING?