The primary purpose of the church is to make disciples. It cannot be overstated. We cannot over-emphasize what Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The making of disciples includes both evangelism and discipleship. Where discipleship is understood to be progressively acting and thinking more like Jesus every day, through the equipping power of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. Evangelism and discipleship are not the same thing, but they should not ever be independent of one another. We have used the imagery of an airplane needing two wings, or of a canoe needing to be paddled on both sides.
The making of a disciple does not occur unless we pursue that kind of relationship with people. This is why the first part of the mission of the church is to “go.” Literally, verse 19 opens with, “As you are going.” We are going. In the time of Jesus and the disciples, they were going. They were going to their daily work; they were going to the temple. They were going to the markets. They were going to take care of their home, their family, their fields, and their jobs.
We are no different. Our circumference of travel is broader because of modern transportation, but we are going people. As we go, are we conscious of the fact that God is sending us in our going to pursue discipleship relationships? He is commissioning our going to be paths toward evangelism and opportunities to further discipleship. A commissioning is formally authorizing someone for a task. This is why Matthew 28:18-20 is called the Great Commission. Christ has all authority. From that authority He is formally authorizing us to make disciples of all nations.
Baptizing those who come to faith in Christ. Teaching those new followers to observe His commands. And then promising that in this task, He has not left us alone but will be with us always by the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Even as I write this, I am listening to two believers share with one another what the Lord has been doing in their lives, what they are learning from His Word, and how they are growing in their faith.
They are living out their commissioning. They are going, and as they are going, they are pursuing this intentional relationship with one another. They are embracing being sent. Are you embracing being sent, commissioned, authorized for evangelism and discipleship? You do not need to wonder if God wants you to do these things. If you are a follower of Jesus, then you are sent. So, as you go today, tomorrow, and every day, just know that you go with an official authorization from the Father to evangelize and disciple.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
