The final piece of Seed Church’s mission statement is “Make A Difference,” serving and reaching out to our community to invite them to know Christ. This instruction has its basis in the Great Commission.
After he rose from the dead, Jesus appeared to his disciples in Galilee, an area north of Jerusalem centered around the Sea of Galilee, actually a large lake. He gathered them on a hill, possibly the same hill where he preached the Sermon on the Mount. This may have just been the Eleven disciples, or it may have been the 500 that Paul mentions saw Jesus after his resurrection.
It also notes that “some doubted” – what they doubted is not clear. They’re are many possibilities. Was this really the same person? Is it OK to worship a man when we are supposed to be monotheists? Or maybe they doubted their own abilities or faithfulness. Regardless if should give us peace that we don’t need to have our all figured out either.
Because even in the midst of this doubt, Jesus gives what is called the Great Commission, the last instructions of his life on earth.
It begins “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This echoes Daniel 7:
In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Daniel 7:13-14
When we think about the Great Commission and our attempts to make a difference, this is our starting place. When we follow this instruction, we are backed by all the authority in the universe.
It begins “go.” This can be actively going out, or “as you go” – an instruction as to what to do as we move around this world.
Next, “make disciples” – it is a single word, the imperative verb “mathēteúō”. Paul, in defending himself to Agrippa in Acts 26 fleshes out this mission in describing what Christ told him directly, in a verse that sums up the entire gospel:
I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
Acts 26:17-18
There are some who assert that this mission is reserved for the original hearers, but the next phrase belies that: “of all nations”. The disciples went far, but they did not reach all nations. That responsibility is passed on to us. This command also means that racism is anathema to Christianity, and in direct opposition to our ultimate mission.
Next, an explicit and specific command – “baptizing them”. Baptism is the public demonstration of our discipleship, and is explicitly tied to the fundamental nature of being a disciple. It also implies a theological understanding, because it happens “in the name,” singular, “of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” the Trinity, three in one.
Next, “teaching them to observe,” to keep and carry out, “all I have commanded you.” Not some of it, not the parts that we like, but all of it. We must learn, and then we must do. One of those doings is to teach, and then those who are taught must do.
If you look at the commands Jesus gave, though, it becomes clear soon that they can only be carried out in community. To “love one another” we need “another.”
It is better to fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than to succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail. That is why we can give our lives to the Great Commission.
But we need even more than that, and in the last line, Jesus gives that to us: “Behold, I am with your always, to the end of the age.” This fulfills the promise God made to Joseph in the first chapter of Matthew: “He will be called Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.'”
The Great Commission starts with ourselves – we have a responsibility to ensure that we are ourselves disciples. Next, our spouse, if we have one. Our children, grandchildren, etc. if we have them. Our other family members, neighbors, friends. Pray for opportunities to speak into these lives.
Sermon Notes, Mahlon Friesen, Seed Church, Lynnwood, WA, January 26, 2020