The Great Commission
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION:
1. Read Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:46, 47; John 20:21-23.
2. “Great” because the Commissioner is great. 1 Tim. 6:15.
3. “Great” because of the enormity of the task.
4. “Great” because of its universality.
5. “Great” because salvation is its theme.
6. God has no other plan to bring the good news to the world.
7. The Great Commission is God’s plan for church growth.
DISCUSSION:
I. THERE ARE MANY CHURCHES THAT SEEM TO BE GROWING BUT ARE ACTUALLY IN DEATH THROES.
1. The auditorium is full but it is because of the new industry in town bringing Christians in. The new birth isn’t taking place.
2. It may be because a perverted gospel is being preached and births are taking place – but not into the family of God.
3. It may be because the church has become liberal enough to be popular — right programs, right image. A lot of people are being “helped” but there are no new births into God’s family.
4. There are many churches that are strong against false doctrine, give their money to good causes, yet, they are dying. There are no new births taking place.
5. Just like an earthly family, when there are no births the family is dying.
II. THE NEW BIRTH CANNOT TAKE PLACE WITHOUT THE WORD OF GOD.
1. The New Birth is necessary to enter the Kingdom. John 3:3-5.
2. It cannot take place without the Word. 1 Peter 1:23.
III. THE WORD CANNOT BE EFFECTIVE UNLESS IT MAKES CONTACT WITH THOSE WHO NEED THE NEW BIRTH.
1. Romans 10:17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. Acts 15:7. “that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.”
3. James 1:17, 18, 21.
4. The Word will have no effect and there will be NO New Births if the Word is not preached.
IV. THE DUTY OF PREACHING THE WORD IS GIVEN TO ALL IN THE CHURCH.
1. The commission was given to the apostles.
2. The apostles were commanded “teaching them to observe all things what soever I have commanded you.”
3. The example of Stephen. Acts 7
4. The example of Philip. Acts 8
5. The dispersion. Acts 8:3, 4
6. 2 Timothy 2:2
V. WHAT IS “PREACHING THE GOSPEL?”
1. 1) to be a herald, to officiate as a herald 1a) to proclaim after the manner of a herald 1b) always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed 2) to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done 3) used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, but the apostles and other Christian teachers.
2. Spreading the good news.
3. ANYONE CAN DO IT!
1) If every store in your favorite mall were having a 1/2 price sale, couldn’t you tell someone?
2) If Wal-Mart was having a 2 for the price of 1 sale on Winchester cartridges, couldn’t you tell someone?
3) If Pedernales Electric Coop was about to triple your electric rates couldn’t you warn your neighbor?
4) If you were holding a garage sale couldn’t you effectively advertise it?
4. How would you do it?
1) Phone. In the house, shop, pocket, car.
2) Mail. US, E-mail.
3) Fax.
4) Post a message on a bulletin board, internet.
5) Pass out flyers.
6) Signs on every street corner.
7) Ads in the paper.
8) Knock on someone’s door.
5. Can you:
1) Teach a simple Bible lesson?
2) Tell someone about available study opportunities?
3) Hand someone a tract?
4) Subscribe your neighbor to any of the free brotherhood publications?
5) Grade a correspondence course?
6) Accompany others on a mission trip?
CONCLUSION:
Read: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46, 47; John 20:21-23