The Great Commission

Pastor Gary Oser

Over the last few months I have shared with you about disciples. In the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus tells us as His followers, “‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”

I want to share a few practical things we can do to better follow Jesus’ instructions.

Photo by Josue Michel | Unsplash

  1. Pray - First, we need to pray. E.M. Bounds well said, “We can do nothing greater than pray until we have prayed. And we can do nothing greater than pray after we have prayed.” We need to pray that God will work in the hearts of the unsaved and give them a desire to be saved. We need to pray that people will recognize their lost condition and turn to God in repentance for salvation.

  2. Build Relationships - Second, we need to try to “build bridges” (relationships) to lost people. We cannot make disciples of people with whom we have no contact. Allow me to share a few ways we can build bridges with people.

    We can befriend them and invite them into our homes. We can cultivate common interests—fishing, golfing, going to a ballgame, gardening, etc. Be available when people are hurting. The death of a loved one, sickness and trials are times when we can show the love of God to others.

    Someone has well said, “People don’t care what or how much you know until they first know how much you care.”

Photo by Jack Sharp | Unsplash

3. Be a Good Example - Finally, be a good example. More important than what we say is what we do. It has been said that children are quicker to do what you do than what you say. The same is true of those you are trying to disciple. They will be more likely to follow your example than your words. Demonstrate by your life what you would like others to be and to do. Give them a good example to follow.

I will add one thought in closing. Making disciples will involve intentional effort and time. It won’t just happen. You must give time and attention to it.

Are you making disciples as Jesus commanded us? How can you improve in this important task Jesus has given us?