Too often, being a Christian is viewed as someone who attends church. Even inside the church, a practicing Christian can be viewed as someone who gives to the church or serves once in a while. And yet, if we take Jesus' teaching seriously, it's not exactly what he had in mind when he launched the church.
My name is Jeremy and I'm the lead pastor at Mountain View Church. If this is your first time joining us, please consider connecting at mountainview.church slash connect or by sending us a direct message on social media at Mountain View White Horse. This week we're closing out our Like No Other series by stepping into Jesus' final instruction known as the Great Commission. Jesus didn't just save us to sit still. He saved us to be sent out. He gives us an invitation to participate in his mission and it comes with his promise to be with us every step of the way. So let's open our Bibles and take a closer look.
Today we're going to be reading from the book of Matthew, chapter 28, verses 18 through 20. So if you'd like, there's a Bible in the pew or the seat just in front of you, or you can also use your Bible app. Chapter 18. After the resurrection, about to return to his father, Jesus could have said anything. He gathers his closest followers for one final instruction.
What he says in that moment carries the full weight of his resurrection victory. He begins with a claim to the ultimate authority that he's been given and how it should be lived out, commissioning them and us. Jesus could have given a form of benediction or perhaps words of encouragement, but instead he lays out a kingdom-sized assignment with a global purpose, to go and make disciples. Simply stated, Jesus' mission has become our mission. This final instruction would branch out to all disciples who make disciples who make disciples, all the way to us. This would be a foundational component of being a Christ follower throughout time and all over the world. Jesus didn't go to the cross to have us sit around. He saved us to send us out. The mission that brought him to earth, to seek and save the lost, has been placed into our hands. And this wasn't an optional assignment. If we don't grasp this as a significant part of our walk with Christ, we won't experience the fullness of that relationship. There's potential for a Christian to abandon this calling and stay busy with church-related activities. It can happen.
a lot of them have little to do with Christ's commission. But here, in this passage, we're called to substitute church attendance for missional obedience and substitute Sunday routine for a daily purpose. Pastor and scholar David Platt warns, this is not a comfortable call inviting most Christians to come, be baptized, and sit in one location. Yet, that is exactly what we are tempted to turn our mission into, and if we are not careful, this is what our Christianity will consist of. We may come to a worship service, participate in the life of the church, serve in the church, and give regularly, all the while neglecting to make disciples. The church is filled with people who have been Christians for 5, 10, 15, or even 50 years who have never led someone outside of their family to be a reproducing disciple. We have missed our mission. There's a cost to embracing the mission that Jesus gave us. We can go back to the very first call given to a small group of fishermen when Jesus said, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.
Fast forward 24 chapters later, and the poetic metaphor is gone, but the mission hasn't changed. Jesus said, go therefore and make disciples of all nations. In a way, we have bookends of Jesus' instruction to disciples, starting at the seashore, ending before his ascension. But the plan has never changed. Throughout his time on earth, Jesus taught many amazing lessons about the coming kingdom and how to live in this world with the kingdom mindset. He healed the sick, raised people from the dead, cast out demons, and miraculously multiplied food.
And yet, these bookends give us the big why. All of it to seek and save lost people from their sin and an eternity of separation from God. If this mission mattered that much to Jesus, it should be the heartbeat of Christianity. So, for the next few moments, we're going to walk through the Great Commission, unpacking it phrase by phrase by phrase. The commission starts with, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Too often, people see Jesus as a good moral teacher. Almost like sort of a historical life coach, for lack of a better term.
but he is the Christ, the one and only eternal king. And he proved his spiritual authority throughout his ministry in all the things previously mentioned, healing and casting out demons, but most importantly, through his death and resurrection. And his authority isn't just limited to spiritual matters. It includes all creation, all time, all eternity. This single opening phrase is so important for us to understand, acknowledge, and accept before we go sharing the gospel with anyone. You see, when he commissions us, he does so with his sovereign eternal authority placed in the mission that we embrace.
Now, moving on, we get into the mission specifics in verse 19 and 20, starting with go therefore. The Greek word used in this sentence implies continuous movement, as you are going, implying ongoing movement rather than a one-time event. Therefore, we shouldn't look at this as a one-time mission trip. That's not it. This is an everyday ongoing call. And the follow-up, therefore, directly links back to Jesus' previous statement about his authority. Simply stated, because he reigns on heaven and earth,
We go. Then Jesus says, make disciples. This is the central command of the commission. The original language used means to make a disciple, to instruct, or to become a pupil. Holistically, this refers to helping someone become a committed follower of Christ. Notice that this means more than acquiring converts.
If we think we're just making converts, we've missed the point. We're called to join with Jesus in forming people into Christ followers. This isn't a one and done concept. It's not a bunch of boxes you can check off. A disciple is someone who ultimately learns from Jesus, but also learns from those whose lives are reflected by Jesus or their lives reflect Jesus to others.
Coming back to Pastor David Platt's commentary, he explains that every disciple is a disciple maker. According to Jesus, from beginning to end, to be a disciple is to make disciples. Scripture knows nothing of disciples who aren't making disciples. Yet, if you were to ask Christians today what it means to make disciples, you'd likely get jumbled thoughts, ambiguous answers, and probably even some blank stares. It's worth noting that Jesus added of all nations to his disciple-making call. This isn't related to national flags or national identity. That's not it. The context of this phrase points to people groups, different races and tribes and languages. Jesus is calling us to reach all ethnic and cultural groups, not just geographical locations. Now, let's move on. The next component is baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is the first step of obedience in becoming a follower of Jesus. It is the outward sign of what has taken place internally. Think about it this way. Baptism is a celebratory moment, declaring one's entrance into a new life in Christ. The old self has passed away. It's gone. But now you've become a new creation in Christ. And baptism displays that through the going into the water, the old self is gone, and the coming out of the water. The new creation is here, in Christ. It should be noted, Jesus said, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Don't miss Jesus' singular use of the word name. The context emphasizes the unity in the Godhead as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As theologian Leon Morris highlights, Jesus does not say that his followers should be baptized in the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but in the name of these three. It points to the fact that they are in some sense one. Now, we reach the last component of the commission, teaching them to observe all that I've commanded you.
Sometimes in Western culture, we can impose an academic understanding onto this instruction. It just happens. It's how Western culture is wired. But the context is far more than just book knowledge. This is a daily life full of lessons when we follow Jesus. It's more like an apprenticeship than a degree program. Also, notice that Jesus doesn't say teaching them what I said. He says teaching them to observe. Observe. Look at that word. That is so important. When we disciple someone, we teach them through our actions as much as the things we say.
if not more through our actions. We take them on a journey of being a Christ follower as we live and walk with them, letting them see our dependency on Jesus, the good, the bad, and the ugly. That's disciple-making. And finally, we reach the tagline of the Great Commission, which is so crucial to understand and accept. Really, this tagline sums up the entire commission. Jesus says, This isn't a comfort statement, although it can provide some comfort for us. The purpose of these words,
is giving us a promise of Jesus' power, that we're not alone in this mission. In a way, this is the bookend of his authority statement that he gave at the start of the commission. Before issuing the commands, he talked about his authority in heaven and on earth. And now he's saying that he'll be with us forever. You see, Jesus is the one with all authority in heaven and on earth. And he will walk with us as we embrace his great mission and as we live our life as disciples making disciples who make disciples.
Coming back one more time to David Platt's commentary, he reminds us that as believers, we know that Jesus is Lord and that he has died on the cross for our sins and risen from the grave. The spirit of God has opened our hearts to see and to believe. He has saved us to know God and to enjoy him. And very soon we will be with him forever in heaven. But while we are here, God has given us his spirit for one purpose. We have been charged with reaching the world with the gospel. All of this considered, it should be noted that we can't make disciples until we are disciples.
Maybe you've been going to church for a while, but you've never fully committed to Jesus. Maybe you accidentally found yourself watching or listening to this message. Or maybe it was intentional and you were just exploring Christianity. If these circumstances are where you find yourself and you haven't yet put your trust in Jesus, I would encourage you that today's the day. We're unable to access a holy, righteous God on our own. You and I, we can't do it under our own works and merit. We will never make ourselves or work ourselves holy enough to reach God. It's impossible.
But the good news is that God sent Jesus to die on the cross, taking the punishment for our sin, removing the barrier. But that wasn't the end. Three days later, God raised him from the dead. Jesus has conquered sin and death, making a way for us to find peace with God and receive eternal life. But it didn't end there. God, in his infinite wisdom, given through Jesus, the Son, gave us the Great Commission before he ascended to heaven to prepare a place for all of us who would follow him.
Right now, maybe you're feeling called to take on the great mission of Jesus. But first, you have to pause. Pause this video, pause this audio, and spend some time in prayer. Take some time and receive Jesus as your Savior so that you can be on mission for him. Confess your sin to him. Surrender your life to God. Accept and believe in Jesus' death and resurrection, and then receive the Holy Spirit to guide you from this day forward. Only then, once you've experienced fully the gospel of Jesus Christ and received him and received the Holy Spirit, then you can be on mission for Jesus. And I would encourage you to do that.
Once you have given your life to Jesus, then you're on mission for him. Now, if you have given your life to Jesus, today's the day to be on mission with him. Embracing Jesus' mission means embracing the following steps of both obedience and observance. The first is to get baptized. If you haven't done so already, take that first public step of faith.
showing the world what has happened internally through the ordinance of baptism as Jesus has commanded. Once you've been baptized, it's time to begin your ministry sharing the gospel to the world. Tell someone about Jesus. Identify one person who doesn't know him. Take a chance and begin a conversation with them about faith. The simplest way is to ask them to join you for a church gathering. And the worst they could say is no, but they'll likely think about it later. And the faith conversation door has been cracked open, even if just slightly. Take a chance. Ask someone.
or invite someone to learn about Jesus. The next step is to disciple someone. Help someone follow Jesus as you follow him. Commit to discipling someone, intentionally walking through life with them, showing them how to follow Jesus. This person may be younger or older than you, but younger in their faith journey. If you can't think of anyone, then volunteer in a children's ministry or a youth program at your local church. If you've been journeying with Jesus for a while, why not host or facilitate a community group? And the simplest way is to just ask God to open a door.
Ask him for someone to disciple and you'll soon discover someone. Jesus died and rose again to rescue us, but then he sent us out to join in the rescue operation. We are his plan to reach the world. And so if you've given your life to Christ and proclaimed to be a Christian, then you've been called, equipped, and empowered for his mission. After a message like this, I get it. We're either scared, nervous, or maybe excited about what God has next for us. And so as we prepare for this mission,
as we prepare to be sent out, it seems only fitting that we should pause and take communion together as we close this message. With that in mind, feel free to pause the video or audio at this time, gather some bread or crackers and some juice or wine, and then I'll be back in one moment. We can look at the communion table not only as a remembrance of what Jesus has done, but also as a recommissioning of what he is doing. Today, we're entering into communion not just to receive his grace, but to be sent out with it. Now, if you have a Bible or a Bible app, turn to Matthew 26, verse 26. I'm going to pray for the bread, read the text associated with the bread, and then we'll partake together. Then I'll repeat the process for the cup. So let's get started by praying for the bread. Dear Father, I thank you for the bread which represents your body. We think of you on the cross, the punishment you took for our sin. And though it was a terrible ordeal, a tragic end,
In earthly ways, it was a miraculous, life-giving end in the eternal. Jesus, I thank you for going to the cross for us. I thank you for willingly submitting to your Father and choosing to have your body beaten and whipped and nailed to a cross. Thank you. Now help us remember as we take this bread, which represents your body. In your name we pray. Amen. Now, as they were eating.
Jesus took bread and after blessing it, broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, take, eat, this is my body. Now let's pray for the cup. Dear Father, we now turn to the cup, which is representative of the blood of your Son. We know from your word that there can be no remission of sins without the shedding of blood, but that animal sacrifice was never going to be enough. So you loved us enough to send your one and only Son, fully man and yet fully God.
the perfect sacrifice, the spotless lamb. Jesus, we thank you for willingly going to the cross and shedding your blood for us, that we might be forgiven of our sins, but also taking on the wrath and judgment that should have fell on us. Help us remember, help us be thankful as we take this cup. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. As we go out on mission for Jesus, let's remember his sacrifice, renewing our commitment to follow him and tell others about him. Let's leave this time together remembering, but also responding.
Thanks so much for joining us today. If you're ready to connect with our community, visit mountainview.church slash connect or send us a message on social media at Mountain View Whitehorse. And if this message spoke to you, please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel and turn on the notifications button so you'll never miss a message. If you have a few more minutes, please stick around for this week's ministry updates. Good morning, Mountain View. It's Katie Bodwin with Senior Youth Group. Just wanted to pop in and remind everyone we're having another car wash on June 28th. It's going to be a Saturday again, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. We hope to see everyone there. It's going to support our Fusion Alaska trip for 2025. Thanks so much.
Next Sunday, June 29th, we're hosting special Canada Day weekend gatherings. It will be a family-friendly event for children, teens, and adults. There will be music and media and food and beverages and a few special Canada Day surprises. Our children's pastor, Herbert Campos, will be speaking at our 9.30 and 11 a.m. English gatherings. Then Pastor Byron will be speaking at our 3 p.m. Filipino gatherings. This is a great opportunity to put Jesus' mission into practice by inviting your friends and neighbors to join you on Canada Sunday. As a reminder, during our Canada Sunday gatherings, we'll be hosting baptisms and child dedications. So...
If you're feeling called to make your faith public by being baptized or you would like to dedicate your child, please email admin at mountainview.church. That's admin at mountainview.church. Then, the following Sunday, on July 6th, we're going to be launching our summer series titled Return, Restore, and Renew. Over eight weeks, we'll journey through the book of Joel, one of the minor prophets found in the Old Testament of the Bible. If you've ever wondered where God is in times of chaos, Joel will show you the answer. Join us and bring someone with you. Invite a friend. For viewing and listening options, subscribe to that YouTube channel or subscribe to our podcast. All those links can be found at mountainview.church slash watch dash listen. That's mountainview.church slash watch listen.
Now, last but not least, it's time for our discussion and prayer focus. Please leave a comment or question in the feed, leave a prayer request in the feed, or hash it out together with whoever you're watching or listening with. Let's get started. Our discussion question for today is, what intentional step will you take this week to live Jesus' mission? What step will you take this week to live out Jesus' mission? Once you've shared with someone or shared online, spend some time in prayer.
Today's prayer focus is to pray for courage and clarity to live on mission for Jesus and make disciples. Let's pray for courage and clarity to live out the mission of Jesus and make disciples. All right, that's it for this week, but we will see you next week for Canada Sunday. Don't miss it. Bye, friend. If you prayed to receive Jesus today or would like to connect with our church community, visit mountainview.church and click the connect link. If this podcast and radio ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider partnering with us or making a tax-deductible donation at mountainview.church.
Thanks for listening to Mountain View Church Audio. Join us next week for more Christ-centric teaching from the Wilderness City and Whitehorse UConn.