Elmhurst CRC

Daily Dose of Easter - Matthew 28: 18-20

May 19, 2023 Jeff Klein Season 1 Episode 343
Elmhurst CRC
Daily Dose of Easter - Matthew 28: 18-20
Show Notes Transcript

Jeff Klein, Pastor of Outreach

Jeff Klein  0:07 

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose in the Word of God. It's Friday, May 19. This is Jeff Klein, Pastor of Outreach here at the church. I'll be reading from Matthew 28, verses 18 through 20.

Jeff Klein 0:19 

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Jeff Klein  0:43 

This well known command from Jesus is also known as the Great Commission. A recent Barna study showed that 51% of Church going Christians do not know what the Great Commission is. In fact, that same study showed that most Church going Christians (especially younger Christians), have no idea what you’re talking about when you talk about the Great Commission. Of course, more important than knowing what the title “Great Commission” means, is knowing the implications of this command from Jesus for all Christians. The central idea in this passage (GO) and the fact that it is a present tense verb in Greek makes the proper English translation more like this: “Go, and as you are going, make disciples.” The reality: we are all going all the time. We are on the move, heading to our jobs, the store, our gyms, our kid’s sporting events and etc. As we go, we meet lots of people who need to understand and be trained in this way of life. Most of us aren’t tuned in enough to pay attention to the people who are ther and to ask the Lord if he would want us to engage in some way. And as we go and engage, what’s the goal? Making disciples of Jesus. Not just getting people to pray a prayer, but making disciples of Jesus. The great promise Jesus gives here: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. You’re not doing this alone. I am with you.

Jeff Klein  2:20  

So, I have some questions for you. Do you feel personally responsible to introduce people where you live, work, and play to Jesus’ way of life? If it’s not your responsibility, who’s is it? Have your ever tried to obey this command from Jesus? How did it go? What are your fears about being obedient to this command? How will you overcome those so that you can obey and “go” in this way? Can you imagine the community and world-changing power of a church where everyone took it seriously to do their part in the Great Commission? It would be a force. At ECRC, we offer Alpha to give you a place to participate in and be part of what the Church should be up to. How about inviting someone to Alpha this fall? Start praying now for who that might be. And then you can join Jesus’ Great Commission Team and stop sitting on the sideliines.