Based on a sermon by Alistair Begg
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He left His disciples, and all of us, with a clear charge: Go and make disciples. This mission wasn’t a suggestion. It wasn’t a temporary project for the early church. It was, and remains, our marching orders. And yet, at times, we can lose sight of the urgency of this call and settle into the comfort of routine.
So what would it look like to realign ourselves with the priorities of Jesus? In Matthew 28:18–20, often called the Great Commission, Jesus gives His followers three powerful truths: a claim that only He can make, a command that only He can give, and a comfort that only He can provide.
A Claim That Only Christ Can Make
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
Jesus isn’t one voice among many. He doesn’t simply suggest how we should live or where we should go. He commands, because He alone has the authority to do so. His dominion is unmatched, as prophesied in Daniel 7 and fulfilled in His resurrection. Every king, ruler, and influencer will bow before Him.
This claim changes everything. If Jesus really holds all authority, then our lives are not our own. Our agendas, our comfort zones, our plans, they’re all subject to His reign.
A Command That Only Christ Can Give
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)
The word “therefore” in this passage is crucial. Because Jesus has all authority, He sends us. His command isn’t limited by geography, culture, or fear. It’s not just for pastors or missionaries. It’s for every believer.
What does it mean to “make disciples”? It means telling others about Jesus: crucified, buried, and raised three days later, defeating death. There is no greater hope than what the gospel brings! We are not called to simply inspire; we are called to ground others in His story.
A Comfort That Only Christ Can Provide
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Jesus doesn’t just send us—He goes with us. The One who has all authority also offers His abiding presence. From the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel (“Immanuel—God with us”) to its end, we’re reminded: we’re never alone.
This comfort is vital, especially when we feel inadequate or afraid. The disciples themselves were often fearful and unsure. And yet Jesus met them, empowered them, and sent them.
Today, He does the same for us.
Why This Matters for the Church
At Equipping Leaders International, we believe that the Great Commission isn’t just for some Christians—it’s for all of us. In training church leaders around the world, our mission is to equip faithful believers to take this command seriously: to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach.
We must resist the drift toward maintenance mode. We must pray—not just for physical healing, but for spiritual transformation. We must speak—not just about our faith journey, but about Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Let us be a people who believe His claim, obey His command, and rest in His comfort.
Let us go.
To listen to the full sermon from Alistair Begg, listen here:
https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/great-commission
