Committed to the Great Commission Part 2
Matthew 28:18-20

Last week we talked about the Great Commission, the mission Jesus left to his followers-to go and make disciples of all nations.  We find these instructions on Matt. 28:18-20.  Last week we learned that this mission is global because it includes all nations on earth.  Jesus wants his disciples to make disciples of all ethnic groups on earth.  All people matter to God.
WE discussed the fact that every disciple in the Bible was baptized.  Jesus commanded to baptize those who were to follow him as disciples.  It was a great joy last week when right after the service, we have two believers of Jesus committed to be baptized.  It was a great Sunday for the kingdom of God when people commit to doing what Jesus commanded.

Today we will cover the latter part of the Great commission that we didn’t cover last week.
Matt.28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” NIV

Being committed to the Great Commission means to teach people everything Jesus commanded, not just some things.  Mike Henry had the chance to tell us last week before we baptized him how he had been involved in Bible study and had been following Jesus for a while, but nobody ever told him he needed to be baptized.  He had only received partial teaching of Jesus.  God convicted him last week and he couldn’t wait to be baptized.  When I asked him when he wanted to do it.  He said, right now.  That my friend is commitment to doing what Jesus said, no questions asked.

Jesus commanded his followers to make disciples baptizing them and teaching them everything he’d had commanded.
This command to teach is also for every follower of Jesus Christ.
A disciple is a learner, a student, a follower.  Jesus taught his followers and now he commanded them to teach those who would become disciples after them.

You can read in Acts that the apostles were truly committed to this task of making disciples.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:41  Those who embraced( received, accepted) Peter’s message were baptized and added to the number of disciples in Jerusalem.
Acts 2:42  They continually devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

 The first century disciples were committed to Jesus’ teaching.  Jesus taught the apostles and they taught others everything Jesus had taught them.  Disciples making disciples, who make disciples…. (Multiplying themselves)

“We all have a responsibility to study and we also have a responsibility to teach.”  Francis Chan

It will be very hard for you to teach anyone about Jesus when you yourself don’t know what Jesus taught.  It is imperative that every follower of Jesus know exactly what he taught.
Col.3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ESV
As disciples we must let God’s word dwell in us richly (abundantly) so we can teach and admonish one another also so we can refute false teaching in this day and age.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God^a may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV

Without teaching we cannot truly develop disciples to be fully mature. 
True disciples are committed to learning what Jesus taught and teaching others.

 Colossians 1:28  We proclaim him (Jesus), admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect (complete) in Christ.  To this end we labor.

Paul’s final instructions to Timothy, his disciple, were to continue to preach and teach God’s word. 2 Tim.4:1-5

We at SICC are committed to the Great Commission, to making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them God’s word, God’s instructions, his commands, his sayings.  We are to pass on what we learn to others.
1 Cor.11:23 What I received I passed on to you…..
1 Cor.15:3-4 

What you are learning as a disciple, you are to pass it on to those who become followers through you.  Are you committed to learning the Word of God, the Bible?  Are you committed to deliver what you learn to those who may become potential disciples?
This task has been appointed to all of us.  This is God’s mission for us until Jesus comes again.  He will be with us every step of the way.

I will be with you always!