About a century ago, “fancy diving” entered the Olympics as a sport .

2. About a century ago, “fancy diving” entered the Olympics as a sport .

3. About a century ago, “fancy diving” entered the Olympics as a sport . • Diving developed in the 17th century as gymnasts practiced over water.

4. About a century ago, “fancy diving” entered the Olympics as a sport . • Diving developed in the 17th century as gymnasts practiced over water. • Divers hit the water at about 34 mph.

5. About a century ago, “fancy diving” entered the Olympics as a sport . • Diving developed in the 17th century as gymnasts practiced over water. • Divers hit the water at about 34 mph. • 1988.

6. About a century ago, “fancy diving” entered the Olympics as a sport . • Diving developed in the 17th century as gymnasts practiced over water. • Divers hit the water at about 34 mph. • 1988. • Greg Louganis cracked his head during a dive.

7. About a century ago, “fancy diving” entered the Olympics as a sport . • Diving developed in the 17th century as gymnasts practiced over water. • Divers hit the water at about 34 mph. • 1988. • Greg Louganis cracked his head during a dive. • After getting stitches, he went on to win gold in both men’s events!

8. About a century ago, “fancy diving” entered the Olympics as a sport . • Diving developed in the 17th century as gymnasts practiced over water. • Divers hit the water at about 34 mph. • 1988. • Greg Louganis cracked his head during a dive. • After getting stitches, he went on to win gold in both men’s events! • In tonight’s text, Jesus encourages us to “dive in” the world with the Gospel.

9. “Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:18-20, ESV).

10. This is likely NOT the most obeyed text in Scripture.

11. This is likely NOT the most obeyed text in Scripture. • Lk 9:20-21.

12. This is likely NOT the most obeyed text in Scripture. • Lk 9:20-21. • “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.’ And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one’” (ESV).

13. This is likely NOT the most obeyed text in Scripture. • Lk 9:20-21. • “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.’ And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one’” (ESV). • Jesus said this when the disciples weren’t ready to share his message!

14. This is likely NOT the most obeyed text in Scripture. • Lk 9:20-21. • “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.’ And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one’” (ESV). • Jesus said this when the disciples weren’t ready to share his message! • Let’s look at the Great Commission & some essentials in carrying it out.

15. The great commission

16. We have often referred to this text as the “Great Commission.”

17. We have often referred to this text as the “Great Commission.” • What about this commission makes it great?

18. The commission is great in its authority.

19. When Jesus came to the disciples, he said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (v 18, ESV).

20. When Jesus came to the disciples, he said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (v 18, ESV). • The Father gave Jesus “All authority.”

21. When Jesus came to the disciples, he said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (v 18, ESV). • The Father gave Jesus “All authority.” • “By him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible, and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col 1:16-17, ESV).

22. Because Jesus has all authority, nothing is outside his dominion.

23. Because Jesus has all authority, nothing is outside his dominion. • He can, for example, forgive sins.

24. Because Jesus has all authority, nothing is outside his dominion. • He can, for example, forgive sins. • “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Mk 2:10, ESV).

25. Because Jesus has all authority, nothing is outside his dominion. • He can, for example, forgive sins. • “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Mk 2:10, ESV). • Questions are often raised about baptism & the thief on the cross.

26. Because Jesus has all authority, nothing is outside his dominion. • He can, for example, forgive sins. • “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Mk 2:10, ESV). • Questions are often raised about baptism & the thief on the cross. • You cannot prove the thief was NOT baptized.

27. Because Jesus has all authority, nothing is outside his dominion. • He can, for example, forgive sins. • “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Mk 2:10, ESV). • Questions are often raised about baptism & the thief on the cross. • You cannot prove the thief was NOT baptized. • Even if he had not been baptized, Jesus could forgive sins how he chose while he was on earth.

28. Because Jesus has all authority, nothing is outside his dominion. • He can, for example, forgive sins. • “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Mk 2:10, ESV). • Questions are often raised about baptism & the thief on the cross. • You cannot prove the thief was NOT baptized. • Even if he had not been baptized, Jesus could forgive sins how he chose while he was on earth. • Because Jesus has all authority, he tells us to go into all the world.

29. The commission is great in its mission.

30. The mission of the church is to make disciples.

31. The mission of the church is to make disciples. • The basic idea of a disciple is a student.

32. The mission of the church is to make disciples. • The basic idea of a disciple is a student. • “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:28-29, ESV).

33. The mission of the church is to make disciples. • The basic idea of a disciple is a student. • “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:28-29, ESV). • “Disciple” came to mean “Christian.”

34. The mission of the church is to make disciples. • The basic idea of a disciple is a student. • “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:28-29, ESV). • “Disciple” came to mean “Christian.”

35. Paul “departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples” (Acts 18:23, ESV).

36. Two ways we make disciples: baptizing them & teaching them.

37. Two ways we make disciples: baptizing them & teaching them. • The Gr shows that these actions take simultaneously with making disciples.

38. Two ways we make disciples: baptizing them & teaching them. • The Gr shows that these actions take simultaneously with making disciples. • Thus, disciples are made by being baptized & by being taught.

39. Baptism is essential to being Jesus’ disciple.

40. Baptism is essential to being Jesus’ disciple. • Of course, we often hear that baptism isn’t essential.

41. Baptism is essential to being Jesus’ disciple. • Of course, we often hear that baptism isn’t essential. But, all disciples of Jesus are baptized.

42. Baptism is essential to being Jesus’ disciple. • Of course, we often hear that baptism isn’t essential. But, all disciples of Jesus are baptized. • Baptism is for the remission of sins.

43. Baptism is essential to being Jesus’ disciple. • Of course, we often hear that baptism isn’t essential. But, all disciples of Jesus are baptized. • Baptism is for the remission of sins. • “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, ESV).

44. Baptism is essential to being Jesus’ disciple. • Of course, we often hear that baptism isn’t essential. But, all disciples of Jesus are baptized. • Baptism is for the remission of sins. • “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, ESV). • If the Jews are guilty of killing the Messiah, it seems odd for Peter to tell them to be baptized because of forgiveness!

45. Teaching is also essential to being Jesus’ disciple.

46. Teaching is also essential to being Jesus’ disciple. • “Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:41-42, ESV).

47. Teaching is also essential to being Jesus’ disciple. • “Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:41-42, ESV). • I fear we have neglected this part of the Great Commission far too often.

48. The commission is great in its scope

49. Jesus says that “repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations” (24:47, ESV).

50. Jesus says that “repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations” (24:47, ESV). • “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35, ESV).