Great Commission - Assurance

Sermon Text

The Great Commission

18 And Jesus came 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 of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 28:18–20.

• Jesus closes the Great Commission with a promise rather than a whip: he will be with his disciples every day until the end of the age.
• God repeatedly assured Jacob, Moses, Israel, Joshua, Gideon, Jeremiah, and other servants of his presence when he commissioned them for difficult work.
• Christ fulfills his promise through the Holy Spirit, who transformed fearful apostles into bold witnesses and empowered the church's mission in Acts.
• Every true Christian has the indwelling Spirit; believers need not wait for a special personality, extraordinary courage, or charismatic experience before serving Christ's commission.
• The promise rests on Christ's word rather than emotional sensation, though believers may gratefully remember Scripture-grounded occasions when God's goodness felt especially vivid.
• Christ's presence begins now and extends beyond death into the new creation, where believers will dwell with God and behold his glory forever.
• Evangelism takes many faithful forms, including direct conversation, invitation, hospitality, friendship, printed Scripture, and ordinary relationships.
• Believers should prayerfully identify ways suited to their gifts while relying on the Spirit rather than their own strength.

• Why does Jesus attach the promise of his presence to the Great Commission?
• How did God's promise “I am with you” strengthen servants throughout the Old Testament?
• What changed the apostles from fearful disciples into bold witnesses in Acts?
• Why does every true Christian already possess the Holy Spirit needed for faithful witness?
• Are we grounding assurance in Christ's promise or in fluctuating emotions?
• Do we long chiefly for heaven's blessings, or for eternal fellowship with God himself?
• Which forms of evangelism fit the relationships, gifts, and opportunities God has given us?
• How can Christian friends encourage one another toward difficult but faithful acts of witness?

Great Commission

Christ's charge to make disciples of all nations by going, baptizing, and teaching under his universal authority.

Assurance

Confidence grounded in Christ's promise that he is present with his people as they obey his mission.

Indwelling Spirit

The Holy Spirit's personal presence in every true believer, uniting the believer to Christ and enabling faithful witness.

Evangelism

Communicating the good news of Jesus Christ so that others are called to repentance, faith, and discipleship.

Spirit of adoption

The Holy Spirit who assures believers that they are God's children and enables them to cry to him as Father.

Presence of God

God's faithful nearness to guide, sustain, protect, and empower those he sends.