The Great Commission

Pastor Shane deals with the Great Commission and how it can impact Cornerstone in 2025. Click here for the recording of this 12/29 Service, and you can fast-forward to 23:30 to get to the start of the sermon.

Our text comes from Matthew 28.16-20

16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated to them. 17And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “ All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Introduction…

• A year ago today I preached a message from this pulpit on the stewardship of time

• Today, 365 days have passed; what has Cornerstone done for the Kingdom this year?

• How have you changed for the better?

• “All you will ever be, you are now becoming” Dr. Phil McGraw

• As a church, how have we changed for the better, more Christ-like?

• How, and with whom, will we grow as a church, in 2025?

• Who decides if we will grow, individually, and corporately?

What is happening in the text…

• V16- By now Judas was dead; Peter had denied Jesus, only to later repent; thus, he was present

• The 11 are referred to as disciples, (mathetes- a committed learner and follower of Jesus)

• The location is a mountain in Galilee, north of both Jerusalem and Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown- some think Jesus met here because it was not too far from many of His followers, and was somewhat secluded from distractions

• It was a location that Jesus chose

• V17- some disciples worshipped (proskuneo- to pay homage, reverence, kneel before, kiss the hand) him, and

• some were doubtful (distazo- waver, hesitate); mind you, this was likely merely hours since the resurrection

• V18- Jesus came to them and spoke, saying all authority (exousia- power, right to control or govern, dominion) has been given Him both in Heaven and on Earth

• V19- go (poreuo- travel, to go from one place to another)

• Make disciples (mathetes- a committed learner and follower of Jesus) of all nations (ethnos- people groups)

• Baptizing (baptizo- to immerse or sink) in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit (the Trinitarian formula)

• v20- teaching (didasko- instruct, provide information in a manner intended to produce understanding and right behavior) them to follow (tereo- observe, keep, guard, obey) I have commanded (entello- an order to be followed, a charge; these are not suggestions)

• Behold (look!) I am with you always, even to the end of the age (throughout all eternity)

How this applies to us…

1. 2 of the 12 went bad (16.6%) and He recouped 1 (Peter) ; people walked away from Jesus in His day, and they will do the same, to Him and His wife (the Church) today

2. Before discipleship can take place, Jesus has to get our attention, and we have to give it to Him- think of the distractions in America today that work against discipleship

3. Even after witnessing the miraculous (the resurrection) some will be skeptical (wavering back and forth, hesitant)

4. The authority Jesus had He passed on to us- Lk 10.19, to overcome the power of the enemy; Acts 3.6, silver and gold…

5. We have to go; down the street, and around the world; local schools, farms, businesses, our back yards, Egypt, missions trips stateside, and abroad

6. We have to get, and stay, serious about teaching here in this church, and elsewhere

7. We have to approach water baptism with the same commitment as the early Church- it was not optional, and was entry into the Church

8. We have to commit to being a teaching church, much like some hospitals are teaching hospitals- are you serious about learning?

9. Jesus is with us wherever we go; we will not be alone