The Great Commission
“True Missionary Work”
By
District Elder M.L. Maughmer, Jr.
WHAT IS A MISSIONARY? – According to the dictionary a missionary is a member of a religion who works to convert those who do not share the missionary’s faith. The word “mission” is derived from the Latin “missionem” meaning “act of sending” or “mitto, mittere” literally meaning “to send” or to dispatch. The Greek equivalent is “Apostle” meaning messenger. Therefore a missionary is a messenger that has been sent to convert those not of the faith and bring many sons and daughters into glory.
WHY FOREIGN MISSIONS? – Because Jesus commanded it in Matthew 28:19 when He said “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…”, also He said that you would be a witness to the utter most parts of the earth Acts 1:8, so with that in mind why not foreign missions?
Mt. 28:18-20 : “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen”. This particular passage of scripture is comprised of “C.I.A” not the governmental department, but Command, Instruction, and Assurity.
This passage of scripture has become known as “The Great Commission”. Here Jesus is commissioning his disciples to undertake a worldwide mission, to become missionaries converting those not of the faith bringing many sons and daughter’s into glory. However, this worldwide mission of Jesus comes in direct contrast to another worldwide mission that is already operating at that current time, namely the mission of the Roman Empire. What is extremely interesting and important is the placing that Matthew places this commission at. Jesus declares the worldwide mission immediately after the description of an incident that illustrates how manipulative and deceptive the Roman Empire operated. By doing this we are able to see how there is contrast between the mission of the Roman Empire and the mission of Jesus. We must understand that the Bible is 2 dimensional, the 1st dimension is natural the 2nd dimension is spiritual. This commission is 2 dimensional because it deals both with the natural and the spiritual aspect.
BACKGROUND: - At the time in which Jesus lived the Roman Empire was effectively maintaining a ruthless mission to dominate the entire world and bring it under its authority and dominion. The Roman Empire was the most vicious and most methodical system that had ever existed they ruled by shear domination and exploitation in Matt. 20:25, referring to the Roman Empire Jesus said, “But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.” This system is being revived again and will become very powerful in the future and play a major factor in the tribulation period – The Revived Roman Empire. Realize that much of the New Testament was written during this period of domination by the Roman Empire; therefore, it is natural for the writers to assume that the readers are knowledgeable about the claims, pervasiveness, and mission of the Roman Empire. It was common knowledge that anyone who posed a threat to the Roman Empire, emperor worship, and the total dominance system was eliminated, mostly by crucifixion just as Jesus was crucified. Crucifixion was used for the most heinous crimes, such as murder and treason against the established governing system.
When Jesus was born and Herod understood that the ‘King of Israel, the King of the Jews”, a possible threat to the Roman authority was born, therefore; to protect the Roman Empire and his dominance he wanted to eliminate the baby Jesus. In his demented attempt that failed he ended up committing one of the greatest massacres of all time in the killing of all the baby boys in that region up to two years of age. Later on, at the time of crucifixion, Jesus was repeatedly mocked as the ‘King of the Jews” this was a attempted to slander His authority and to illustrate to any other that would try to rise against the Roman Empire their ultimate fate; therefore intimidating them into submission. Such was the power and force of the Roman Empire. (Remember Caiaphas told Pilot he would not be a friend of Caesar if he didn’t crucify Jesus).
According to the Roman belief, the Roman Empire was supposed to have been founded by divine orders, and its mission to dominate the world was ‘entrusted to it by the gods’ and enacted through the emperor, the military and political personnel, and the religious elites. The emperor was not just to be obeyed but also to be worshipped as he was divine and in fact represented the gods.
Therefore this world mission of the Roman Empire was opposed to God’s will and purpose Exodus 20:3 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me”. When Jesus challenged that empire, its authority and control, as well as the religious authorities who were more loyal to the Roman Empire rather than serving the people of God, they could not tolerate him and killed him by crucifixion. Glory to God, three days later He arose again. When the news about his resurrection began to spread, the Roman Empire quickly began its typical operation of deception and domination which is described in verses 10-15: Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch (these were Roman soldiers) came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him [away] while we slept (plan of deception). And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught (instructed): and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Immediately after the reporting of this deception of the Roman Empire, Matthew reports they go to Galilee into a mountain Jesus appointed them to go and they receive Jesus’ declaration of a worldwide mission Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew presents Jesus as King, Mark as Servant, Luke as Son of Man, and John as Son of God. Here in Matthew 28:18 Jesus says all power is given unto Him showing His Kingship and ultimate rule. Understand this is in contrast to what Roman Imperialism taught - the Jewish people were looking for someone to deliver them from under the oppression of the Roman Empire – Hosanna, Hosanna blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. They were looking for a deliverer from the Roman Empire and its Imperialistic dominance, they literally had world power the natural 1st dimension) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,(Command) baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Instruction) and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen”(Assurity) .
The Roman emperor claimed to be the supreme authority on earth, however, we have Jesus the risen savior stating that all power is given unto Him in heaven and in earth this statement goes contrary with what was the perceived notion of the Roman Empire and in fact usurps Roman Imperialism. Realize that under the rule of the Roman Empire people were persecuted, oppressed, down trodden, forsaken, unloved, be littled, politically ostracized, educationally demoralized, socially separated, and even crucified. For thousands of years, the Jewish people were primarily subject to foreign rule (Egyptian, Syrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman.), with only brief periods of independence. In the first century, Romans ruled the Mediterranean area known as Palestine (modern day Israel), where Jesus was born and lived his life. In the hierarchy of power, the Jewish self-government reported to the authority of the local Roman government (King Herod), which reported to Rome (Emperor Caesar). The Roman government practiced syncretism, accepting that all religious beliefs, philosophical teachings, and government systems are ultimately compatible, or a reflection of, a larger system the Roman Imperialistic System. The Roman Empire proclaimed that all people had religious freedom, political freedom, and freedom of thought, yet maintained a very strict control. Such actions added more reasons for Jewish resentment of the foreign Roman government. The Jews held much distrust and often hatred for the Roman Empire – they were unwilling subjects.
In total contrast to this barbaric system, Jesus Christ said, " All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Jesus was literally declaring the establishment of His kingdom and ultimate rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Under Jesus’ authority, people were healed, fed, taught and freed from a life of fear, bondage and dehumanization to a life of fullness. It was the manifestation of God’s reign and God’s empire (Kingdom of God) as opposed to that of Rome. Jesus commissions his disciples to proclaim God’s empire (the Kingdom of God – for the Kingdom of God is at hand) to everyone on this earth, and make more disciples who would carry on the work of leading people to a life of fullness both naturally and spiritually. Jesus said I come that you might have life and that more abundantly John 10:10. Jesus is speaking 2 dimensional – naturally and spiritually.
LETS’ LOOK AT WHAT JESUS SAID: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,(Command) baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Instruction) and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen”(Assurity). Now we must make clear here that although this is called the Great Commission it must have every part with it to make it whole. Acts 1:8 says “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”. Therefore the complete Great Commission is “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth Amen””
THE GREAT COMMISSION - COMMISSION: 1: to furnish with a commission: as a: to confer a formal commission on b: to appoint or assign to a task or function 2: to order to be made.
GO: 1: to move on a course : proceed— compare stop 2: to move out of or away from a place expressed or implied : leave, depart 3 a: to take a certain course or follow a certain procedure b: to pass by means of a process like journeying c: to proceed without delay.
Jesus said “GO” You can’t stay where you are because what I have for you to do is for everybody, Jew and Gentile. Understand that the Jews considered there two be two classes of people the Jews and the Gentiles. Naturally the Jews are a descendant of Jacob (Israel) and a Gentile is everybody else. In the spiritual a Jew is one that in covenant with God and a Gentile is one that is not in covenant with God. That’s why Paul explained in Christ there is neither male nor female, Jew nor Gentile because we all are in a covenant relationship with Christ.
TEACH: 1 a: to cause to know something b: to cause to know how c: to accustom to some action or attitude d: to cause to know the disagreeable consequences of some action 2: to guide the studies of 3: to impart the knowledge of 4 a: to instruct by precept, example, or experience b: to make known and accepted 5: to conduct instruction regularly in, to instruct differently, to indoctrinate, to disciple, to show the way, educate, to drive together, i.e. unite to make of sound mind.
ALL NATIONS: 1 a (1): nationality 5a (2): a politically organized nationality (3): a non-Jewish nationality BAPTIZING: 1 a: a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community b: a non-Christian rite using water for ritual purification: purification by or submergence in Spirit 2: an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named: to purify or cleanse spiritually especially by a purging experience or ordeal: to give a name to. An outward showing of ones allegiance to some thing or someone. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST: Remember this is 2 dimensional and this right now is natural. Much controversy has risen over this statement and is one of the biggest reason there is division in the church and the result of denominations. This was to show that the ones being baptized were not taking on the name of the Roman Empire, they were not pledging allegiance to the Roman Imperialistic system, they were not going to worship the emperor but in fact were making a statement, an outward showing that they denounced the Roman Imperialistic system and were accepting the ruling of and following in the authority and power of the Kingdom of God. The statement of baptism said we are not taking on the name of the Roman Empire, but the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. In essence the baptism is a standard that signifies the transfer of loyalty to God’s empire from other empires, naturally the Roman Empire and Spiritually the Sin Empire. The Bible says when the enemy comes in like a flood the Lord will lift up a standard against them Isa 59:19. The standard is a sign that stated what side you were on. It said who and whom you belonged to. In the military we had a flag or standard that said D. Co. 67th Sig. Batt. 7th Sig. Brig. This standard let everyone else know who we belonged to. OBSERVE: 1: to conform one’s action or practice to: comply with 2: to inspect or take note of as an augury, omen, or presage 3: to celebrate or solemnize in a customary or accepted way 4 a: to watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment b: to make a scientific observation on or of 5: to come to realize or know especially through consideration of noted facts6: to utter as a remark. ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: Every commandment of God’s Word. They are to observe and maintain a standard of Holiness. DISCIPLE: 1: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as a: one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ’s followers according to the Gospel accounts b: a convinced adherent of a school or individual. A disciple is not only one who follows the master, but also one who pledges his or her ultimate loyalty to the master and serves as an agent to the master’s mission. PURPOSE: In the Great Commission, Jesus commissions his disciples to make more disciples, who would resist all claims, compulsions and temptations to pledge their loyalty to anyone else (the Roman Empire) and shift their ultimate loyalty to God’s authority, and act as disciples or missionaries of God’s reign of justice, peace and fullness of life. The disciples were told to go to secure the transfer of loyalty and allegiance to God’s sovereignty and empire (Kingdom of God) in anticipation of its establishment in full over all the earth. They were literally to set up networks of such disciples all over the world. These networks of disciples were to be known by their loyalty and allegiance to God’s reign of justice, peace and fullness of life by the baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost which proved denouncing the Roman Empire and the whole Imperialistic system and they are to be taught to observe all that Jesus commanded and maintain a standard of holiness. This that the disciples were to do was to produce a better and different lifestyle then that which was offered by the Roman Empire and its Imperialistic dominance. Today we are the disciples, the Church, and we are called to be present in this world offering a different lifestyle that pledges its loyalty and allegiance to God and God’s empire (Kingdom of God) as opposed to the Sin Empire. The Sin Empire and its Imperialistic approach of dominance have inundated the minds of people, placing a stronghold upon them causing them to live in the bondage of sin. Therefore we have many in society who are being incarcerated mentally, physically, and spiritually. Although free from the human judicial system, they are regretfully imprisoned in a far crueler and ultimately eternal prison. They are sentenced with a life sentence of emotional emasculation, depression, anxiety, low/no self esteem, and phobia’s; some are on the habitual death row of deadly narcotics, alcohol, and careless, unsafe, and uninhibited sexual activity. Others have been placed in a solitary confinement of physical pain, discomfort, and disease. They are being held captive behind these seemingly impenetrable bars and inescapable walls, being made to believe that this is all there is to life. Mentally messed up, emotionally emasculated, economically expired, socially segregated, and spiritually lost, they are aimlessly wandering through life bound hopelessly waiting to die, imagining that if everything would be over, if what they have experienced to be life would just cease from being that they would be free. They are disappointedly unable to see that God has a far more excellent and abundant life. Why because the god of this world has blinded their eyes that they may not see the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore the presence of missionaries in the world is critical and creative. Their critical presence is marked by their commitment and ability to resist the designs of the sin empire, the traps of the enemy and its implementation. The missionary’s creative presence is felt by proclaiming the vision of God’s empire of righteousness, justice and peace (the Kingdom of God) by whatever means work to convey the Word of God to the people, crossing the boundaries of language, color, educational status, economic freedom or bondage, etc. The missionary’s presence is not to flow along and cope with the natural course of events, but to create and nurture an alternative lifestyle then that which is presented by the life of sin. When the missionary or church fails in this mission its presence is no longer effective but irrelevant. The Bible says salt that has lost its savor is good for nothing but to be trodden under foot of men Matt. 5:13. A MISSIONARY: A missionary must have assurance of salvation. They must know that they know that they know they are a child of God and that Christ dwells within them. A missionary walks in the fullness and power of the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 says “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses (Missionary) unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”. The Holy Ghost is the power and is responsible for everything that happens in the life of a child of God – their new birth experience and their daily walk. They have and understanding of Scripture, and prays without ceasing. They produce not only the fruit of the Spirit, but beget more sheep. A missionary demonstrates love for God, his neighbor, his fellow disciples, and his enemies. Jesus commands us to love God with all of our hearts, with all of our souls, with all of our minds, and he also commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves. A missionary is one who knows how to read, study, memorize, and meditate upon the Word of God, to hide its truths in his heart. It is impossible to walk in the fullness of God’s Holy Spirit without an understanding of God’s Word. The reverse is also true-you can’t understand God’s Word without the Holy Spirit. The missionary is one who is obedient, who studies the Word of God, and obeys the commands of God in a lifestyle that honors the Lord Jesus Christ. A missionary is one who trusts God and lives a life of faith. The Bible say without faith it is impossible to please God. A missionary understands God’s grace. God loves us unconditionally, whether we obey him or not, yet knows that He must judge sin and warn of the wrath of God. A true missionary of the Lord Jesus worships God in the fellowship. He is involved in his church through study, worship, prayer, witnessing, and the stewardship of his time, talent, and treasure. Jesus said in John 13:35 “By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples (MISSIONARY), if ye have love one to another”. SUMMARY: - In the 1st century days, being a disciple was a big deal. If you were the disciple of a Rabbi, a teacher, your life revolved around that teacher. You learned and knew all of his teachings. You followed him wherever he went. You walked in his dust. You went where he told you to go and you didn’t go anywhere unless he told you to go. You learned to think as he thought. You spoke what he spoke. You were his student, his protégé’. Your sacrifice of time and resources was paid back on an intangible level. You experienced a kind of joy that was truly unspeakable and you had a genuine relationship with someone you knew intimately, and who knew you. Because of the way you devoted your life to that Rabbi, you were called a disciple. Jesus was a Rabbi. His followers were called disciples because they followed Him in the ways a disciple was supposed to. In Antioch they were first called Christians because they acted like Christ. Today disciple/missionary of Jesus is someone whose entire life revolves around Jesus. They learn al l of His teachings. They follow Him wherever He leads (Remember the song we used to sing “Where He leads me I will follow”. They walk in His dust. They go where He tells them to go and they don’t go anywhere unless He tells them to go. They learn to think as He thinks. They speak as He speaks. They are His student, His protégé. Their sacrifice of time and resources are paid back on an intangible level. They experience a kind of joy and they have a genuine, interactive relationship with Jesus Himself. Because of the way they devote their lives to Jesus they are called a missionary. MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: - When I first left for the Ukraine on my first missionary journey I felt it was a great opportunity and a wonderful experience. I would be going to a place I never had been before, I was going to tell of the goodness of Jesus to a people that did not have the freedom of worship like I was accustomed to having. However, I really didn’t know what to expect. Honestly speaking there was a part of me that felt this was going to be like a vacation. When I actually got there and did what God had for me to do I realized that it was not only an opportunity to go to a place I have never been before and it surely was not a vacation, but a life changing transformation. I seen the awesome hand of God at work. I witnessed how the sin empire had a stronghold on the people like I never seen before. Freedom to worship was something that wasn’t taken for granted. I looked at souls hungry and thirsty for the unadulterated Word of God. I saw a zealousness in the people to have a relationship with God and give their total loyalty to Him. I heard testimony of how people were delivered from drugs and alcohol and I heard the testimony of a high ranking Russian official, one that literally taught atheism and was extremely held with regard in Russia denounce atheism and say that God is real. As a missionary I truly understand the Great Commission. My ministry and desire to do the will of God is greater then ever before. Now I understand my destiny and that is to GO!!!!!! District Elder M.L. Maughmer, Jr. Southern Ohio
