It is our Lord’s command that we make disciples! This is not
given as a suggestion for a church program or a by-product of all the other
things that we do as a church. “To His followers and the church alike, He
issues a clear, concise command, ‘make disciples.’ As Christians, we are to be
consumed with making disciples. There is nothing more important in God’s eyes for
a church to do than to make disciples.”[1]
The command is imperative and connected with any action that is undeniable.
"The commission itself is given by means of one main
imperative verb, μαθητεύσατε,
“make disciples,” together with three syntactically subordinate participles
that take on an imperatival force (thus rightly Friedrich, 154) because of the
main verb. The first of these, πορεύθεντες,
precedes the main verb. The disciples are to “go” and “make disciples.” Since
the main verb has for its object πάντα
τὰ ἔθνη, “all the nations,” it is implied that the disciples are to go
into all the world. "[2]
This command is not adding the gospel to other cultures or
faiths but presenting the radical exclusiveness of the only way, the only
truth, the only hope to have life. This command is not just for encouraging
people to go to far away mission fields but includes going to our neighbors.
“To make disciples of all nations does require many people to leave their
homelands, but Jesus’ main focus remains on the task of all believers to
duplicate themselves wherever they may be.”[3]
It is simultaneously a local command and a universal command. My concern is
that if we are not doing it locally we will not respond to the needs globally.
It is a good things to support mission work around the world and Fellowship contributes over 10% to ministries that share the good news and also has at least three special offerings that greatly increase our support. The real question is are we personally fulfilling the Great Commission imperative to make disciples? What are we doing individually and as a church to make sure our friends, family, and co-workers are going to heaven?
[1]
William R. Hoyt, Effectiveness by the
Numbers (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2007), 11.
[2]
Hagner, 886.
[3]
Craig L. Blomberg, Matthew, The New
American Commentary, ed. David S.
Dockery, Vol. 22 (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1992),431.
