Ep. 138 Understanding the Cyclic Effect of the Great Commission

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Shows Main Idea – The Great Commission is a fourfold job description for every Christian. With the Lord’s enabling, we go, convert, disciple, and send. It too much for any one person but when examined biblically, it’s a doable privilege for all God’s children.

Show Notes

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And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20

Four Parts of the Great Commission

1. Going – Penetrating the culture with the transformative message of Christ.
2. Converting – Baptizing converts after they are born again.
3. Discipling – Equipping these new converts by teaching them all that Jesus taught.
4. Sending – Motivating these maturing disciples to go and do what was done to them: penetrate the culture.

The Main Place

It would be instructive to hear the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the words “great commission.” If your first thought is “out there somewhere,” you’re at the wrong place, and you could do irreparable harm to your most important relationships.

1. Your closest relationships, which begins with you, is the best place to live out the great commission.
2. Start with yourself
3. If you’re married, your spouse is next.
4. If you have children, they come after your spouse.
5. The great commission works out from this internal network of relationships.

Macro and Micro

1. Macro: Everyone should be doing all of the great commission
2. Micro: Everyone should focus on a specific aspect, according to their gifting
   • Apologists
   • Evangelists
   • Pastors
   • Teachers
   • Counselors
   • Disciplers
   • Social Causes (biblio-centric)
     • Pro-life
     • Foster Care/Adoption
     • Bloggers, Podcasters

Seasonal Opportunities

1. SAHM – Mom’s are in the best place to live out the great commission
2. It’s only for a season, albeit an important one
3. Work in the milieu that the Lord has you, for His fame

Don’t Compare

I do not care for the word ministry in the way many people use it today. It can create a two-tier system within the church. Some people believe being “in the ministry” is a better calling than not being in the ministry. The Bible does not teach such posturing. We’re all “in the ministry.”

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. – 2 Corinthians 10:12

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. – 1 Corinthians 12:14-20

12 Questions to Grow Your Unique Gifts

1. What is something you love to do?
2. What is something you enjoy giving time for reflection?
3. When you have downtime, where does your mind drift as far as a possible career choice?
4. How has God gifted you? How would your friends answer that question?
5. Describe your personality. What does it say about the kind of job you should have?
6. What suggestions have people made about your career, based on their understanding of you?
7. What are the educational requirements needed for your desired vocation?
8. What is your plan to get the training you need?
9. What other things do you need to get to your dream job destination?
10. Do you have a person in your desired field you can emulate?
11. Who is mentoring you in this process?
12. Who is holding you accountable for accomplishing your objectives?

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Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).