Christ’s Commission

Evangelism should be the lifestyle of every disciple of Jesus.

In truth, compassion toward all human beings is part of our calling and enables us to see the lost through the eyes of Jesus to lead them to Him.

Evangelism is preaching the Gospel and taking care of new believers to lead them into maturity.

We can better understand Evangelism and Compassion and how it relates to the Church and our lives by exploring the following;

The Great Commission is recorded in Matthew 28:18–20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-47, John 20:21, and Acts 1:8. Its great because of its size that covers the entire world; it is great because of the time period given to finish the work—until the end of this earth; it is great in its importance because one’s response to this command will determine that person’s destiny of hell or heaven. It is the most important and urgent message that every human being needs to hear.

Jesus Christ is the one who gives this commission. He introduces Himself as the one who holds the supreme authority. The supremacy of the Lord Jesus is mentioned in Matthew 20:18: “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on Earth.” It is the declaration of the greatest winner. We should be convinced of the power and authority of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9-11). As His Church, we have received this power (Ephesians 1:18-21); we have to exercise this power and authority in fulfilling this mission (Acts 13:6-12). We travel, preach, teach, and fulfill all of the commands of Jesus with this authority. We are authorized to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Luke 8:1).

Why do we need this authority?  While fulfilling the Great Commission, we are entering Satan’s domain. He is the ruler of this world, the god of this age. The whole world lies in his grasp. We are attempting to snatch souls from him, and we have no power or authority to do so apart from Christ. Satan will not let them go without a fight which, in our own strength, we are utterly incapable of winning. We can’t compete in that arena with fleshly weapons.

The eleven disciples are the initial recipients of this commission. There cannot be the argument that they will be the only people. The work continues until the close of this age. Even after the eleven disciples died, the Gospel did not reach the end of the earth.

The work cannot be done through just eleven people. The book of Acts records that many people who were not the original eleven (like Paul, John Mark, Luke, and Silas) were also part of the work. They were commissioned by the Holy Spirit to do this work.

Today, this commission is handed over to us, but we often need to be assured that it is for us. We must remember that the anointing of the Holy Spirit is an appointment for this mission. We must call this Gospel our Gospel (2 Timothy 2:8). Sometimes it is dangerous to fulfill the commission without this personal conviction (Acts 19:13-16). As mentioned in Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is still commissioning each of us to fulfill this task (1 Peter 2:9-10).

This commission is great in size and purpose. We are commissioned to preach to all the nations (the people groups of this earth). No one is to be left without hearing the Gospel. It also covers a time span to the end of this age. The second coming of Jesus is very much connected with the fulfillment of this task (Matthew 24:14).

The task includes preaching to the whole world. Everyone has to hear the Good News of the Lord Jesus and make a decision. We are commanded to baptize the believers in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. This includes teaching the new believers everything that Christ taught us. The goal is to make disciples of all nations. Each and every activity of disciples of Jesus should be a partial fulfillment of this command.

The incarnation of Jesus was to inaugurate His everlasting Kingdom that consists of all peoples who put their trust in Him. The ultimate God wants to see everyone from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue come to worship Him (Revelation 7:9-10). God does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Even those who do not accept this Gospel will one day declare Jesus as the Lord (Philippians 2:9-11).

“I will be with you . . . even to the end of this age.” Unlike any other human authorities, the unusual promise this Commissioner gave is that He will be with us. We go out with the presence, promise, and power of Jesus. “I will never leave you” is the promise of Jesus (2 Timothy 4:17; Mark 16:20).

Jesus, the Lord of the Harvest, stands with us to guide us, protect us, and strengthen us. He always wants us to be co-laborers with Him (1 Corinthians 3:9). The awareness of the presence of the Lord with us should help us to lead a personal life of integrity and holiness. Constant walking with the Lord Jesus will help us to grow into His likeness (Ephesians 4:15).

What would it cost us? The primary call of Jesus was to come and receive (Matthew 11:28-30). But those who decided to follow Him must make a serious decision (Matthew 16:24-25; Mark 8:34-36; Luke 14:26-27). When we decide to go into all the world, that will involve our whole lives (Luke 10:3).

Jesus is the best example of one who gave His own life for others, and the followers are expected to become martyrs if needed. The fulfillment of the Great Commission would cost everything that the saved ones possess on earth.

The history of the church is filled with stories of those who laid down their lives for the cause of fulfilling this commission. It is worth investing anything and everything that we have for the kingdom of God.  Jim Elliott said, “He is not a fool who gives up all that he cannot keep with him forever to gain something that he can keep with him forever.”

What is the reward? God accepts whatever we respectfully offer to Him. He does this to return it to us as a reward. He wants whatever we do in fulfilling this Great Commission to be rewarded. Jesus promised that even one glass of water given in His name would be recorded and rewarded (Matthew 10:42). The reward is in both this world and in the eternal life to come. Jesus reminds us of many eternal rewards we receive from Him (John 12:25-26; 2 Timothy 2:12). The Bible advises us to consider our great reward (Hebrews 11:26; Hebrews 10:35; Hebrews 12:16). 

Everyone who invests their time, energy, material blessings, influences, and God-given talents for any activity in the kingdom of God will be rewarded. It is not just a salary or a payment but a reward. Somebody once commented that those who fulfill this great commission receive a great (huge) commission!  Those who build God’s kingdom on earth will be part and parcel of this Kingdom. Jesus, the coming King and the Judge of the whole creation, is going to establish His everlasting kingdom. Those who invest in this generation will reign with Him forever. If we love Jesus, we will keep His commandments, especially the Great Commission. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “No eyes have seen, nor ear heard nor mind can imagine what God has prepared for those who love him.” The final Day of Judgment will reveal our reward (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

Even after 2000 years, the Great Commission given by Jesus our Lord is still incomplete. Let us commit our lives to see the fulfillment of the heart cry of Jesus accomplished. Think of Jesus blessing the five loaves of bread and two fish, and His feeding of the five thousand. He calls us and gives us the bread and the fish in our hands. What shall we do? We feed the people in the front rows. Everyone who sits in the front rows receives the food several times. Those who are sitting in the back rows are still waiting. Those who received the living bread, the Gospel, are receiving it again and again while the unreached remain unreached. What will be the feeling of Jesus who blessed and gave the bread to all who are seated?

We need to make disciples and finish the work in our generation.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!