[Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20]
Matthew 28:18-20 were the verses that I felt were my calling. When I received these words, I felt I had to carry out God’s special mission to change the world, and owned it as my private calling to vocational ministry.
However, when I was studying in seminary, I realized that the Great Commission was not just Jesus calling individuals but also the Church to participate in his on-going ministry.
Again, it is God’s call to the Church to participate in the work of Jesus that continues until the Kingdom of God comes.
Today’s Bible passages tell us that Jesus gave his final words to his disciples on the mountain top. He said, “Go and make disciples of me through baptizing and teaching.” This is the Great Commission.
There are two things that explain the meaning of the Great Commission for us as contemporary Christians.
“Faith is personal but never private.”
The meaning of the Great Commission is to call people out of their private faith and encourage them to engage in the public ministry of Jesus within the church. Private faith means a person believes in Jesus as Savior but does not express his or her faith and does not take responsibility for the people in the community.
For example, in John 3, among the Pharisees, there was a man named Nicodemus. He was a member of the Jewish governing council. He secretly came to Jesus at night and asked how to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. After that, Nicodemus believed in Jesus as the Savior, but he kept it secret. However, after Jesus Christ was crucified, Nicodemus declared himself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in front of many people, took the body of Jesus Christ, and buried it in a tomb. His faith was private for a while, but eventually, he came out into the public square to take up his own cross.
The ministry of Jesus was not a secret or private event, but rather it was a public mission. He taught and healed people in the public square and died on a mountain top, and everyone saw His sacrificial ministry. Jesus entrusted us to participate in his public ministry to save the world.
The other thing we have to do is teach the scripture only.
The Church is not responsible for teaching how to be rich or morally good people. Also, the Church is not called to entertain people but teach the Word of God.
Teaching the Word of God is a sacred duty and a legitimate authority that God has given to the Church by Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. This authority and power was not given to individuals but was delegated to the Church until the second coming of Jesus Christ to judge the living and the dead.
Finally, who is the Church?
The Church is the body of Christ, fitting together to worship God and serve others!
Ephesians 4:11-12 say, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelizes, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
According to this Bible verse, we can say.
I am the church.
You are the church.
We are the church.
Jesus is the head of the Church and the body of the Church.
Each one of you is a part of the Church and the body of Christ as a whole, which is God dwelling within us through the Holy Spirit.
If you are a Christian, you are no longer a separate spiritual being or private entity. But, just as branches of a vine are attached to a tree, you belong to the Church, and you are also a part of it. Because you are the Church.
Conclusion
The Great Commission tells us that Christian faith is not only a private matter but also a matter of public service in the faith community. Jesus Christ has delegated divine authority and power to the Church to baptize and teach others in the Church.
Our Church has a goal to see people of all generations in our community rise up, hold the gospel of Jesus Christ, and bring justice and love to the poor and hurting in our community. This is a holy obligation that has been given by God.
2022.01.02. Pastor Cloud Poy
@ Photo on Unsplash
