"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
– Matthew 28:18-20
This profound command from Jesus to His disciples, often referred to as the Great Commission, came after His resurrection and shortly before His ascension into heaven. In it, Jesus outlined the mission for His followers—a mission that has persisted through the centuries. At its core, the Great Commission calls the church to action: to go, to make disciples, to baptize, and to teach. These instructions are not optional; they are foundational to our faith and central to our purpose as a church.
At Miracle Temple, my deepest desire is that we would embody this command. I want our church to be known not for mere activity, but for transformative disciple-making. It is an enormous task—one that we cannot accomplish through human strength or effort alone. But we have an unshakable foundation: the authority of Jesus Christ.
Christ’s Authority: The Foundation of Our Mission
Jesus began the Great Commission by proclaiming, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This authority is not theoretical; it is grounded in His divine nature as the eternal Word made flesh (John 1:1-14). It is His authority that empowers us to fulfill His commands.
There will be moments of discouragement when our efforts seem fruitless, when evangelism feels challenging, or when the world’s resistance seems overwhelming. In those moments, we must remember: Jesus is King. He reigns over all creation, and His authority ensures that every effort we make for His kingdom is valuable.
Go: Moving Beyond Our Comfort Zones
The first command in the Great Commission is to go. This requires action—stepping outside of our comfort zones into the world, culture, community, and even our own families. The Gospel message is not meant to be hidden but proclaimed boldly.
Going can be intimidating. Many Christians struggle to share their faith, fearing rejection or inadequacy. Yet, we are not called to go in our own strength or wisdom but under the authority of Christ. Begin by praying for boldness, as the early church did (Acts 4:29-31). Be kind, respectful, and patient as you share the Gospel. Sometimes the most powerful witness comes not from grand speeches but from a life lived in humility and faithfulness.
Make Disciples: Reproducing Faith and Growth
Discipleship is the heart of the Great Commission. It is about more than conversion; it is about growth and transformation. A disciple is a learner, one who grows to reflect the character of Christ. Jesus invested deeply in His disciples, modeling what it means to love, serve, and obey God.
At Miracle Temple, we must prioritize discipleship by creating environments where believers can grow in their faith. This involves structured programs such as Bible studies, small groups, and Christian education classes. But discipleship is also relational. It happens when one believer invests in the life of another, modeling what it means to follow Christ.
Baptize: A Public Declaration of Faith
Baptism is a vital aspect of the Great Commission. It symbolizes a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). Through baptism, we publicly declare our faith and commitment to follow Jesus.
Our church must make baptism a priority. This means not only conducting baptism services but also ensuring that those who seek baptism understand its significance. Baptism should be the fruit of genuine faith—a visible sign of an inward transformation.
Imagine the joy of regularly witnessing baptisms at Miracle Temple, celebrating new believers who have come to Christ. This is what we strive for: lives changed by the power of the Gospel.
At Miracle Temple, we must prioritize discipleship by creating environments where believers can grow in their faith.
Teach: Building a Foundation on God’s Word
The Great Commission ends with a command to teach. Teaching is critical to discipleship because it grounds believers in the truth of God’s Word. Without sound teaching, faith can be shallow and easily shaken.
At Miracle Temple, we are committed to proclaiming God’s Word faithfully. I work diligently to prepare sermons that are biblically grounded, thought-provoking, and applicable to daily life. But teaching is not limited to the pulpit. It must permeate every aspect of church life—from Sunday school to small groups to one-on-one mentoring relationships.
Teaching ministries should be diverse, addressing various stages of life, interests, and needs. Whether through youth groups, women’s ministries, or specialized classes, we must provide opportunities for believers to grow in their understanding of Scripture and their relationship with God.
A Call to Action
The Great Commission is not a suggestion; it is a command. It requires every believer to take part in God’s redemptive work in the world. At Miracle Temple, we have a unique opportunity to make an eternal impact by obeying this command.
Let us GO boldly into the world. Let us MAKE DISCIPLES who reflect the character of Christ. Let us BAPTIZE believers as a public testimony of their faith. And let us TEACH the truth of God’s Word with conviction and passion.
Together, we can fulfill the mission Jesus has entrusted to us. The question is: will we answer the call?
Reflection Questions:
- How does the authority of Christ give you confidence to go, share, and serve in His name?
- How can you personally contribute to fulfilling the Great Commission in your daily life?
- What steps can Miracle Temple take to enhance our efforts in making disciples and teaching the Word?
