Day 5: Prayer Focus: Community Outreach | Matthew 28:19-20

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of& the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:19–20)

It’s the missionary text of all time. Every time I hear a missionary speaking church, they use this text for their sermon. They talk about how important it is to support missionaries and to be a missionary to your mission field. They have it right. But a lot of times we think we have to go to a foreign land to be missionaries.

Almost every English translation misleads us on what it means to be a missionary commissioned by Jesus. First, you must realize Jesus is talking to you. You are a missionary to the world around you. Jesus planted you like a tree right where you are on purpose. No one can reach the people you know and interact with every day better than you. He entrusts you with the care of the souls around you.

Second, you must understand that you will have to go to a foreign land to be effective for Jesus. English versions of the Bible make “go” a command. But it’s not. The original language of the Bible has only one command in these verses. Jesus’ command to you is to make disciples. “Go” is better understood as, “While you are going” or “in your going.” Everywhere you go, you must make disciples for Jesus.

We make disciples by teaching others about Jesus. We let our passion for Jesus become their passion. A disciple is a learner. We think of baptizing as water baptism and we say, “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” when we want to baptize new disciples. But let me give you a different perspective of baptism.

The word “baptize” is actually a Greek word from the Bible that we use to talk about an event. I like to translate baptize with words like “immerse” or “dunk.” That’s how we understand what baptize means. When you make disciples, other learners about Jesus, and you baptize them, you do it through teaching. As you teach about Jesus, you are immersing people in who He is.

Way before you dunk them in water, you dunk them into the body of Christ, God’s Son who came to save us, and the Holy Spirit. They are dripping with Jesus’ presence before they get to water. You baptize people. That’s just what Jesus wants you to do. What a privilege to make disciples by immersing them in God and the things of God!

This is a daunting task. But Jesus left us with a promise before He went into heaven. It’s actually the most important part of this passage that we may not even hear because of the task of the Great Commission. Jesus promises us that we don’t go it alone. “I will be with you until the end of the age.” Let that sink in. Jesus doesn’t give you an impossible task. He works with you, in you, and through you. It’s Jesus making disciples through you. His presence is with you through the Holy Spirit.

So, when it seems an impossible task to reach out to those around you and share Jesus with them, let the Holy Spirit do it. Let Him speak through you. You’ll be amazed at what He can do. And don’t forget to give Him all the glory, honor, and praise.

Prayer Points

• God will invade your community with His presence
• God will use you and other believers to win the lost
• God will and power and resource you to speak to others about Him
• God will give you insight into the needs of the lost and compassion for them with His eyes