The Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20 Thesis: Jesus gave us the Call to “Go”; the “Authority” to carry it out and the promise to stay with us always. Jesus commissioned us to be his disciples! I. The Call! (vs16-17) A. Jesus called His disciples to follow Him and commanded them to meet on the mountain. “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go.” “Trust and Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to Trust and Obey.” (chorus) B. The disciples responded to Jesus original call to be a disciple and “take up their cross and follow Him.” Definition of a Disciple: “To be a ‘born-again’ (John 3:16) believer who is growing and becoming like Christ. When maturity has taken place, the disciple, is able to play a role in making disciples of others.” Pastor Chuck The Apostle Paul States: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” (1 Cor. 3:6) C. Most of the disciples demonstrated Jesus was their Lord and as well as their Savior by worshiping Jesus, “but some doubted.” (vs17) II. The Commission! (18-20a) “Jesus said, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go…” 18-19a) A. Jesus gave the Christian the right to preach and teach the “Good News” of God. 1. Jesus has the ultimate authority to commission the believer. “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,” (Philippians 2:10) B. Jesus commands his disciple to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (19a) 1. Jesus’ authority supersedes all earthly authority. 2. Just prior to Jesus’ ascension He gave more specific instructions to the disciple on where they are to go. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) 3. “Jerusalem” to the disciples meant their local communities. a. Begin in your hometown making disciples. 4. “Samaria” represented the people groups they despised. a. Who do you have prejudice against? 5. “Ends of the Earth” meant world missions. III. The Challenge! (19-20) A. We are to make disciples of them by “Going, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” 1. The Disciple will need the Holy Spirit to empower them to carry out this enormous command. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you 2. The place God calls you to “Go”, the people may not want you there! “Go where they don’t want you and stay until they can’t do without you.” Dr. Charles Strickland B. Jesus recognized the “challenges” His disciple would face and promised, “And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” .