Message Notes

YAG 21st RETREAT
26-27 JUNE 2015
Theme: “The Great Commission”
GOALS FOR THE RETREAT

1. To clear up misunderstanding concerning the scope of the Great Commission
2. Misunderstood scopes

a) Not a command at all
b) Only a command to preach the Gospel
c) No need for discipleship
d) No need to teach all that Jesus had taught

3. Understanding the danger of truncating the Great Commission

a) A weak Christian life
b) A weak church
c) Falling prey to erroneous teachings
d) Little power in faith and life
e) Presenting a false gospel
f) Having false hopes of salvation in Christ

4. The challenge of understanding and keeping the Great Commission

a) Walking in full obedience
b) Continuing the work of the Lord Jesus Christ
c) Keeping the tradition of the apostles
d) Being faithful to what has been committed to us
e) Greater maturity of faith

YAG 21st RETREAT
26-27 JUNE 2015
“THE GREAT COMMISSION”
Friday, 26 June 2015
Session #1

THE ORIGINAL AUDIENCE

1. The eleven disciples Matthew 28:16

a) They were specifically mentioned
b) Were there others?
Yes, very possibly!

2. Two responses noted Matthew 28:17

a) Some worshipped
b) Some doubted

RECALLING EARLIER COMMISSIONS

1. The Commissioning of the Twelve Matthew 10; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6

a) Limitations of this Commission

i) Only Twelve mentioned
ii) Names of all the disciples recorded Matthew 10:2-4
iii) They were called “apostles” meaning “sent out ones” Matthew 10:2
iv) No ministry to Gentiles Matthew 10:5
v) No ministry to Samaritans Matthew 10:5
vi) Only to Israel Matthew 10:6

b) Special empowering

i) Power over unclean spirits to cast them out Matthew 10:1
ii) Power to heal all kinds of diseases/ illnesses Matthew 10:1

c) Specific instructions

i) Concerning accommodation
ii) Concerning the message of the kingdom of God being at hand Matthew 10:7
iii) Concerning possible opposition
iv) Concerning the special ministry of the Holy Spirit Matthew 10:20
v) Concerning practical discipleship Matthew 10:24, 37-39

2. The Commissioning of the Seventy Luke 10:1-24

a) Seventy others were sent out Luke 10:1
b) They were to alert people that Jesus was coming to visit them soon Luke 10:1
c) Special instructions

i) Similar to the first commission
ii) Power to heal was promised Luke 10:9
iii) Power to cast out demons was reported Luke 10:17
iv) Authority given (power over the enemy) Luke 10:19

SOME IMPORTANT LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

1. Faith in real ministry

a) God’s provisions
b) God’s power
c) God’s authority

2. Wisdom

a) Sheep among wolves Matthew 10:16
b) Wise as serpents Matthew 10:16
c) Harmless as doves Matthew 10:16

3. Courage

a) Do not worry Matthew 10:19-20
b) Endurance amidst hatred Matthew 10:21-22
c) No fear, not even of death Matthew 10:26-31

4. True disciples

a) Be like the Teacher Matthew 10:24-25
b) Servant like the Master Matthew 10:24-25

5. Walking worthy

a) Taking up cross
b) Following the Lord
c) Losing one’s life Matthew 10:37-39

UNDERSTANDING THE FULL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GREAT COMMISSION

1. The Scope of the Great Commission

a) All the nations Matthew 28:19
b) Make disciples Matthew 28:19
c) Baptising them Matthew 28:19
d) Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you Matthew 28:20

2. Grammar (Theological significance)

a) The use of the Participle in Classical Greek
b) The use of the Participle Matthew 28:19
c) Can the Participle be used as an Imperative? Matthew 2:13

3. Things to consider

a) Explicit meaning
b) Implicit meaning
c) Surface structure
d) Deep structure (intended meaning)
e) Semantics
f) Contextual significance
g) Principles and Applications
h) Practical examples

4. How did the early church practise the keeping of the Great Commission?

a) The Jerusalem Church Acts 2
b) The Antiochan Church Acts 13
c) The apostle Peter 2 Peter
d) The apostle Paul The Pastoral Epistles

OUR CHALLENGE
1. To understand
2. To find the faith and courage to obey the Great Commission fully
3. To equip ourselves
4. To actually fulfil the Great Commission