“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
*Matthew 28:18-20 NIV*
- All Power Given to Me
Jesus received all authority from the Father in heaven and on earth. There is no one like Jesus. He holds the highest authority on this earth. No religion leads us to God—only Christ Jesus.
John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 1:21; 1 Peter 3:22.
He has all power and authority over your life and mine. He has all authority on earth. Obey Him and live!
- Therefore, Go
This means it’s better to go! He gave us a command, an order: Go. Since He is the Lord, it’s better to do what He commands.
- Make Disciples of All Nations
This starts here in Ireland, but we have responsibilities towards the nations of the world. If you cannot go, you can make disciples in your country, contribute financially to those who go, and you should be an intercessor. The reward given to missionaries will be shared with those who intercede and contribute.
I believe there will be people poor in rewards in heaven because they did nothing or very little for God.
- Baptising Them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Baptism is the seal of salvation and the key to entering heaven. Those who do not want to be baptised will not be saved. If you can be baptised but do not want to be, then you are lost!
- Teaching Them to Obey Everything I Have Commanded You
Everything you have learned, you can and should teach to others. (Even the one who knows less in the kingdom of God knows enough to teach the unbeliever.)
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
- You are not alone – He promised to be with those who obey His commands to win souls for God, daily and not sporadically. Our task is to depopulate hell and populate heaven.
If you do not feel the presence of Jesus in your life, it is important to evaluate whether you are obeying Him, especially in terms of winning souls. (You need to feel His presence with you.)
What Is the Future of People: Heaven or Hell?
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. (Luke 16:19-31)
There is no other way: either you are saved and going to heaven or you are lost and going to hell.
- Only those who love God and care about the eternal future of people obey the command to preach the gospel.
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
John 14:21 NIV
“Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
James 5:20 NIV
Preaching the gospel is a duty and not an option!
“I do not have the right to be proud of preaching the gospel. After all, doing so is my duty. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
1 Corinthians 9:16 NLT
Preaching the gospel is the most important thing you will do on this earth as a task and mission, after saving and taking care of your family.
1 Timothy 5:8 (NLT).
- This is what Jesus did. He dedicated His life to it. He died on a cross for this purpose. (Matthew 9:35, 36)
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matthew 9:35-36 NIV
– People are dying, and most of them are going to hell. (Matthew 7:13-14)
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”*
*Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
– With this understanding, Jesus calls His disciples to pray for more workers (pastors, leaders, preachers, evangelists, ordinary Christians filled with the Holy Spirit who love to preach and disciple those interested in salvation).
Matthew 9:37-38
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:37-38 NIV
What Might Be Paralysing You?
- Fear – Fear of what people will say, fear of retaliation, fear of losing a job, etc. Antidote: Isaiah 1:9; Courage is the ability to face our fears. He promised to be with you – Matthew 28:20.
- Shame – Fear of being ridiculed, shyness, reluctance. Luke 9:26;
- Sin – John 8:34; 1 Peter 2:11.
Decide today to stop sinning so that worse things do not happen.
**What Hinders Me from Speaking and Winning People for Christ?**
- The busyness of daily life. Many responsibilities, and we have no time for God.
- Many distractions and entertainments;
- Desire to own many things. The more things we have on earth, the less desire we have to go to heaven;
- Lack of biblical knowledge;
- When I get into trouble;
- We have little time on this earth.
“Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:16
We have a mission. We are missionaries: as the Father sent me… John 20:21. Jesus was sent by the Father!
It’s not just pastors Harry and Helen, Pastors Marcio and Fabiana, and many others who are missionaries. You are also a missionary. You just didn’t know it, but you are a missionary to your family, your work, your neighbours, your school, etc.
God asked a question:
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”
Isaiah 6:8 NIV
Jesus sent you! Go and make disciples!
-————————————————-
Questions to Help Engage Cell Group Members
- What did Jesus command us to do in Matthew 28:18-20?
- Why is it important to obey the command to “Go” given by Jesus?
- What does “making disciples of all nations” mean for those who cannot travel?
- What is the importance of baptism in the message of Matthew 28:18-20?
- How should we teach others according to what Jesus commanded?
- What does the promise of Jesus being with us until the end of the age mean?
- Why is preaching the gospel considered a duty for Christians?
- What are some obstacles mentioned to sharing the faith, and how can we overcome them?
- How do lack of time and distractions affect our ability to evangelise?
- In what ways can each Christian act as a missionary according to the message?