The Great Commission

Speaker: Paul Brown

Notes

Jesus told his disciples to take the good news to the whole earth - Matt 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-18. Paul and Barnabas were sent out from their home church to do this - Acts 13:2-4

Fulfilling the commission may include:

• Preaching the good news (Mark)

• Making disciples (Matthew) - not just converts

• Baptising people (both Mark & Matt) - an important outward sign of inner salvation

• Teaching Jesus commands (Matt) - i.e. how to live the Christian life

• Driving out demons and healing the sick (Mark) - that evangelism with power!

• Staying miraculously safe (Mark) - not to be put to the test! Mark mentions snakes and poison, but perhaps this can apply to crossing the road also

• Speaking in tongues (Mark) - a gift of God that is to do with power for Christian living

We can and should learn from the stories of past missionaries, such as C T Studd, Hudson Taylor, as well as from those we know who are living the Great Commision today.

Application

Have you been inspired by stories of past or present missionaries? If so, who and what impact have they had on your life?

Do you think it's possible to fulfil the Great Commission without leaving home?

Does anyone in the group have a call on their lives to fulfil Jesus' commission in a particular way? Pray for one another.

Posted: 20 Jul 2008