Re-imagining the Great Commission.

Delivered by Dr. Babajide Olowodola at Evangelism Plus #2: Re-Imagining the Great Commission.

1. The Vision of Global Transformation
   Isaiah 2:2-3 prophecies the culmination of God’s plan:

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in
the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And
many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of
the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go
forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

2. Filling the Earth with Knowledge
   Habakkuk 2:14 underscores the divine intent:
   “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”

This vision is deeply ingrained in the fabric of creation itself. God desires His church to flourish, and we
are privileged to partake in this growth as co-laborers. Just as every pastor and Christian carries the
potential to replicate themselves, much like seeds yielding after their kind, as described in Genesis 1:11-
12.

The Three Pillars Behind Church Growth:

God’s intention for growth extends to His church, reflecting the intrinsic nature of all living things
created by Him. Church growth is underpinned by three distinct, yet interrelated, personalities:

1. God the Father: The Source of Increase

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 captures the essence:

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth
anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

Jeremiah 30:19 reinforces the divine promise:

“And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply
them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.”

2. Jesus: The Master Builder
   Jesus, portrayed as the Master Builder, declared His commitment to building His church:

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

3. The Holy Spirit: Lord of the Harvest:

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit demonstrated His role as the Lord of the harvest, igniting a profound
expansion. Acts 2:37-41 recounts this transformative event:

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the
apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many
as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and
the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Through active partnership with these three personalities, we can ensure the steady growth of the
church. The book of Acts offers a rich tapestry of growth, from the Upper Room to the multiplication of
disciples and churches.

The Attributes of a Growing Church:

Identifying a vibrant, growing church involves objective criteria. A healthy church embraces certain key
attributes:

1. Commitment to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20):
   The foremost priority of a healthy church is to embrace the Great Commission, making disciples of all
   nations and teaching them Christ’s ways.
2. Community Unity and Favor (Acts 2:46-47):
   The early church’s unity and fellowship exemplify a healthy and growing assembly, as seen in the book
   of Acts.
3. Disciple Making and Stewardship (Various Scriptures):
   A growing church is committed to disciple making and stewards God’s resources faithfully.
4. Development of Servant Leaders:
   A vibrant church empowers and produces servant leaders who serve selflessly.
5. Teaching of Sound Doctrine (Various Scriptures):
   Sound doctrine is a hallmark of a healthy church, grounded in the Scriptures.
6. Biblical Qualifications for Leadership (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1):
   Leadership selection aligns with biblical qualifications, ensuring spiritual integrity.

Barriers to Church Growth:

Several obstacles hinder church growth:

1. Shortsightedness:
   Failure to recognize the spiritual harvest and the urgency to bring people to Christ impedes growth.
2. Lack of Empathy:
   Neglecting to empathize with the lost leads to ineffective evangelism.
3. Misuse of Resources:
   Misallocation of funds diverts resources from missions and evangelism.
4. Neglect of Power Evangelism:
   Failing to embrace the supernatural power of God limits the effectiveness of evangelism.
5. Reluctance to Personal Involvement:
   Shifting the responsibility to others stifles personal engagement in missions.
6. Avoidance of Sacrifice and Death:
   Growth involves a willingness to die to self and embrace Christ’s life.

The Great Commission: A Call to Action

The Great Commission outlined in Matthew 28:18-20 holds the essence of our call to action. It’s more
than a suggestion—it’s a divine mandate. It comprises a rhythm of authority, global reach, complete
obedience, and unwavering presence:

1. All Authority:
   Jesus’ comprehensive authority ensures our success. He possesses the right to command and the power
   to enforce. His authority spans terrestrial and celestial realms, guaranteeing our support.
2. All the Nations:
   The Great Commission’s scope extends to all nations, aligning with the divine vision of global
   transformation.
3. All the Command:

We are entrusted with teaching the whole Gospel, emphasizing obedience to all Christ’s commands.

4. Always Present:
   Jesus’ enduring presence accompanies us on our mission journey, enabling us to fulfill the Great
   Commission.

Action Plan for Church Growth

1. Align with the Holy Spirit as Co-laborers.
2. Engage in Active Harvesting with Zeal.
3. Implement Creative Strategies to Draw People.
4. Embrace Christ’s Heart for the Unreached.
5. Implement Effective Cell Strategies for Growth.

Conclusion
As we journey through this topic, let us be inspired by Mark 1:21-28, where the authority of Jesus
amazed the people