Summary
The sermon emphasizes the centrality of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 for the mission of every Christian and church. The pastor uses his personal experiences of returning from vacation in the Philippines—as well as cultural observations about Dutch hospitality and family dynamics—to illustrate the call to embrace God’s mission in both personal and communal contexts. He highlights four key themes: mission rooted in worship, mission empowered by Christ’s authority, mission centered on disciple-making (baptism and teaching), and mission sustained by Christ’s presence. The message challenges the congregation to view their roles in ministry not as great acts of perfection but as acts of obedience in the spot they are in, whether in relationships, workplaces, or neighborhoods. The pastor concludes with reflective questions to inspire the audience to mobilize for God’s mission in daily life and beyond.
Sermon transcription
Good morning. It’s a joy to speak in English rather than needing translation, as my wife typically does. May we first pray: Lord, this is a special day—a day not earned but gifted by You. Thank You for the privilege of gathering to worship, fellowship, and hear Your word. Open our hearts, minds, and ears to receive and obey. Let the Holy Spirit guide us through Your Son Jesus. Amen.
Thank you for having me. As mentioned earlier, this is Mission Sunday. The passage we read this morning, Matthew 28:16-20, is foundational to understanding the Great Commission. This is not merely a text for missionaries but the church’s mandate for all. Jesus, in His risen body, gave the ultimate authority and command on Mount Galilee. Here, we see “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus’ final words carry weight. They reveal what matters most in His heart. In my own life, I recall my father, in his 80s, asking me to prepare a burial cloth before his passing. This ensured I wouldn’t feel obligated to return to Ghana immediately after his death. In many cultures, the absence of a child during burial is seen as a disgrace. Yet my father’s trust in a friend to bury him allowed me to remain in the Netherlands. The Great Commission operates similarly. Jesus’ final command is critical because it’s rooted in His authority. If your father ensures his funeral details before death, how much more should Jesus’ words command our attention?
Other verses in Scripture confirm Jesus’ call to make disciples. For instance, in Luke 9, Jesus sends the Twelve. Later, in Luke 10, He sends 72 additional laborers to bear fruit. The Great Commission in Matthew is unique as Jesus speaks in His bodily presence before ascending. This command is non-negotiable: the mission of God is our mission. Imagine if we were the only remaining Christians in the world or the only believers in the Netherlands. Does that make the work of missions easier? Or does it make it even more urgent?
Let’s break down the passage using four key ideas:
1. **Worship as a catalyst for mission.**
2. **The authority Jesus grants to disciple.**
3. **Disciple-making as a lifelong commitment.**
4. **Christ’s presence as the foundation of our mission.**
Starting in verses 16 and 17, the 11 disciples went to Galilee, an act of obedience. Yet the text mentions that some doubted. How can doubt and worship coexist? Jesus understands our frailty and doesn’t demand perfection to begin the work. This was personal for me: in my early years of learning the Quran, my teacher believed discipline meant corporal punishment. But Jesus does not beat us when we falter. He calls us to act on our limited faith. If He asked you to give up a career or take an uncertain step today, would you? The answer is yes because He commands it, even in our weakness.
Verse 18 is crucial: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Jesus is the cosmic Christ. His authority isn’t just symbolic—it’s real, present everywhere. This means we don’t do missions in our own strength but in His. If you lack language or cultural skills, He still works through you. Consider Acts 1: “Wait,” Jesus tells the disciples, “and you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” Mission is waiting on God, relying on Him for strength.
The third pillar is disciple-making. The Great Commission isn’t solely about geographic movement. It’s about making Jesus known now, where we are. Think of your school, workplace, or neighborhood. What does it look like to invite people to follow Jesus here and now? Disciple-making includes baptism and obedience. Baptism is a public step of commitment, a visible sign of initiation into God’s family. Yet disciple-making is not a single event. Teaching is lifelong. It’s modeling obedience—how we act, speak, and live. At work, are our colleagues seeing something of Jesus in us? At home, do our children see our faith? Disciple-making happens within culture, in daily life.
For example, as a Filipino in the Netherlands, my mission started at home. My family was Muslim. They are where my Great Commission begins. The church must also ask: What role do we play here in our city? Which community? Perhaps Swedam, Zealand, or beyond. Every church has a unique contribution. Like a Turkish carpet, different colors blend into a unified beauty. Your role, even if it seems small, is vital.
The fourth pillar is Christ’s presence: “Surely I am with you always.” How many times have we thought, “If I had more courage, resources, or knowledge, I could do this”? But Jesus assures us that His presence is not a future guarantee but a current reality. Years ago, when God called me to abandon a chemistry degree and study for the pastorate, my family thought me foolish. Yet the King of Kings has been with me ever since.
This presence gives endurance. Jesus’ promise is not a five-year visa. It’s an invitation that lasts beyond our lifetimes. Let’s apply this to our own callings. How can you be bold? When someone resists your witness, how do you respond? My 16-year-old daughter struggles with unheard words and rejection. I told her, “Love them more. Keep sharing.” The goal remains clear: obedience through discipleship.
Loving Jesus today means living out the mission here. In the Netherlands, where privacy is valued, hospitality becomes radical. Dutch friends find it shocking when I consistently invite them to meals. Jesus’ outreach also began in homes, through shared tables and moments of connection. My mother-in-law, a Zealand resident, treats tea time as a sacred bond. She would never task me with heavy labor because “the clock will be on the wall by 4.” But this cultural difference teaches us. Filipino hospitality is open. The Dutch, more reserved, might appreciate learning to relax their boundaries a bit. Let’s use both our openness and their caution to bridge cultures in Christ’s name.
Finally, three questions to consider:
1. Where is God calling you to join His mission?
2. Who in your circle needs to see and hear the love of Jesus?
3. How can you support the global mission beyond your community and country?
The Great Commission is not a burden. It’s an invitation to partner with a risen and present Jesus in ongoing global ministry. May we embrace this with worship, authority, and trust in His providence.
Take-aways
- Mission is not dependent on personal perfection. God begins His work through our surrendered, imperfect faith.
We are called to act on obedience, not wait for inner strength or certainty.
- Christ’s authority is the foundation for all mission work.
Without this authority, human effort is empty. We must act in His power, not our own.
- Disciple-making starts locally. It is not limited to faraway places but happens in our daily lives—schools, workplaces, neighborhoods.
Jesus invites us to begin with the people closest to us as the first step in His mission.
- Teaching involves living and modeling obedience to Jesus.
Mission is not solely verbal. Our lives should reflect His commands and values actively.
- Christ’s presence guarantees our mission.
His promise, “I will be with you always,” removes fear and insecurity, insuring that our work in His name will never end in failure.
Food for thought
- Reflect on a time when your faith wavered. Did you feel God’s guidance in the midst of doubt? How did you respond?
- What cultural differences in your background could help share Jesus in your community or through hospitality? Are there practices from your society that could be shared with neighbors or colleagues for mission?
- How can your role in a workplace or school be a tool for disciple-making? What fears might prevent you from acting on this locally?
- If baptism and teaching are lifelong processes, what adjustments might your church need to support ongoing spiritual growth rather than one-time conversions?
- Consider the global dimension. Beyond your city or church, whom could you pray for or resource to further God’s mission? How might this expand your understanding of the Great Commission?