The Great Omission
SUNDAY Worship Service: SEPTEMBER 15, 2024
The Great Omission
Rev. Charles Lee
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
A. Clarifying the Great Omission
1) “I am just a Christian and not a disciple (of Christ).”
Christian = Disciple of Christ = Learner and apprentice of Christ and his ways
“The New Testament is about disciples, by disciples, and for disciples of Jesus Christ.”
2) “Discipleship is only for super-committed Christians.”
Discipleship = a process of following Christ
Discipleship is for all Christians!
“And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted (= hesitated; held back).”
(Matthew 28:17)
“Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God’s overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil. In short, nondiscipleship costs you exactly that abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring (John 10:10).”
(Dallas Willard)
3) “The Great Commission (‘Go and make disciples of all nations’) is only for some specially-called missionaries to go overseas.”
The Great Commission is for all Christians and is to be carried out everywhere.
B. COMMITTING TO the Great COmission
A functional Great Commission in North America:
“Go into all the world and make more worship attenders, baptizing them in the name of small groups and teaching them to volunteer a few hours a month.”
The Great Commission from the resurrected Jesus:
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 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, ESV)
“Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20, Message)
“I have been given say over all things in heaven and in the earth. As you go, therefore, make disciples of all kinds of people, submerge them in Trinitarian Presence, and show them how to do everything I have commanded. And now look: I am with you every minute until the job is done.”
(Matthew 28:18-20, Paraphrased)
The heart of the Great Commission: “Make disciples of all nations”
Making disciples = helping others follow (or move towards) Christ
Three aspects of disciple-making:
1) 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
(Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
2 ) 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
(Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
3 ) 19 Go (or As you 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
(Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
C. Carrying out the Great Commission by the Great Power and Great Promise of Christ
19 (y’all together) go therefore and (y’all together) make disciples of all nations, (y’all together) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 (y’all together) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
(Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 (y’all together) go therefore and (y’all together) make disciples of all nations, (y’all together) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 (y’all together) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with y’all always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:18-20, ESV)