The Great Commission: The Work

"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..."

Last week we discussed the authority behind the Great Commission.  This week we'll talk more in-depth about the actual work of the Great Commission.  As we go, we are to make disciples of all nations.  Baptism is a sign of union with Christ and it is a command of the Scriptures.  Teaching those who are saved to observe all the Christ commanded the disciples is also a natural outgrowth of union with Christ.  As such, I think it's fair to say that those two commands are explanatory of the primary command which is to make disciples.

In our first post, we showed that the local church was the God-ordained vehicle for discipleship.  My favorite Scripture on this is in Hebrews10:19-25: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

As I've said earlier, instruction and relational investment seem to be biblical pillars for biblical discipleship.  We don't just teach, we invest.  We don't just pray for each other, we hold each other accountable.

Christ's command comes with the understanding that His word does not return void.  When we preach the Gospel faithfully to the lost, the Spirit will convict of sin and grant faith and repentance.  

This is a blog about church planting, but this is the command to all Christians.  Making disciples and preaching the Gospel to the lost is not the work of a select few that God has called to missionary work.  This is the work of every Christian.  May we strive to be faithful to that calling.

Soli Deo Gloria