The Great Commission
Dr. Venus L. Butler

Matthew 28:16 – 20

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Sunday, September 26, 2021
18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19aTherefore go and make disciples of all nations…

Today we observe Christian Education and Theological Education Emphasis Day. Christian Education and Theological Education have the common goal to educate, empower, transform, and liberate the people of God. Today we recognize and celebrate the vast array of teaching and learning opportunities available to us, as we reflect upon our spiritual growth and faith development as a congregation of believers in Christ. We also applaud every pastor, minister, professor, teacher, student, and leader, who are faithfully engaged in this vital ministry.

Theological Education Emphasis Day is named in honor and memory of the late Dr. Charles T. Epps, Sr., who was a pastor, public school assistant superintendent, educator, community activist, an advocate for theological education, and devoted father and mentor to his son, our pastor, Dr. William S. Epps.

Dr. Charles T. Epps, Sr., graduated from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in 1945, where he received a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He later completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning. His doctoral dissertation, The Economics of Ethics: A Consideration of the Moral Values Among American Blacks, was published in 1993 by Brentwood Christian Press.

Christian Education continues to be ‘the heartbeat’ of the church and it is a ministry which has the ability to significantly impact and nurture people across their life span - from preschool through senior adult years. Christian Education embellishes every teaching and learning experience encountered by the Christian community.

Consider how Christian Education has guided you across your life span.
Monday, September 27, 2021
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Christian Education is a lifelong discipleship process that is experienced in family life, worship, Bible study, and other ministries that provide training and equipping opportunities. Discipleship is not a one-time event; it is a dynamic, ever-evolving, ever-changing process with the central focus being God’s Word.

The Christian Church offers many opportunities to develop our faith: Worship experiences, Sunday Church School Classes, New Member's Orientation and Fellowship, Grief and Bereavement Support Group, Teleconference or virtual Prayer, and Bible Studies; age level ministries such as Children, Youth, Young Adult and Senior Ministries; Women and Men's Ministries, and other learning and service opportunities, which include mission and outreach, music ministry, political action, health and wellness, finances and stewardship, and others. Christian Education undergirds the life of the church, and is involved in every facet of spiritual growth. It involves deepening our relationship with God and God’s people. A holistic approach to Christian Education is concern about our total well being...mind, body, and spirit. According to the late Dr. Yolanda Smith, former professor of Christian and Religious Education at Yale Divinity School, we have a triple heritage model for Christian Education that embellishes our Christian, African, and our African American heritage.

Consider how you have been involved in the Christian Education ministries of your church.
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This passage of Scripture, according to the gospel of Matthew, was the last recorded personal directive of Jesus to His disciples, and it holds great significance to all followers of Christ. The Great Commission is the foundation for the Christian life and ministries. Because Jesus gave final instructions for his disciples to go to all nations and assured them that He would be with them even until the very end of the age. Christians of all generations have embraced this command.

The authority that was given to Jesus’ disciples is the same authority or power that has been given to us in order to continue the ministry of Jesus. As disciples we are learners, followers, and students of Christ. We are commissioned to live a life engaged in the “disciple-making process.” As disciples of Christ, we commit our life to be the body of Christ, within the church, community, and the world. As disciples of Christ we must share our faith and experiences with others - those who are fellow believers as well as those who are considered non-believers.

Consider how you have been engaged in the “disciple-making process.”
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

The disciples emulated Jesus’ life and ministry as they were taught by Him and as they were eye witnesses to His encounters with others. We have the written word of God that tells us: “Study to show yourself approved by God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, who teaches the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

We are told in God’s word to “Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not to our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge God and God will direct our path” (Proverbs 3:5-6). In John 8:31-32, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples, then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

And we know that “God so loved the world that he sent his only son and those who believe in Him shall not perish but shall have the gift of eternal life” (John 3:16); the gift of salvation. What we have learned, what we have received, and what we have experienced on this Christian journey must be shared with others as we “make disciples.” The disciples who were commissioned by Jesus, fulfilled “The Commission.” Those who joined with them along the journey fulfilled “The Commission.” We must continue to fulfill “The Commission.”

Consider how you might be more effective in your witness for Jesus Christ.
Thursday, September 30, 2021
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Results of The Public Religion Research Institute's "2020 Census of American Religion", carried out between 2014 and 2020, indicated that 70% of Americans identified as Christian during this seven-year interval. In a 2020 survey by the Pew Research Center, 65% of adults in the United States identified themselves as Christians.

According to the Pew Research Center, a comprehensive demographic study of more than 200 countries finds that there are 2.18 billion Christians of all ages around the world, representing nearly a third of the estimated 2010 global population of 6.9 billion. Christians are also geographically widespread –in fact, no single continent or region can indisputably claim to be the center of global Christianity.

Christians remained the largest religious group in the world in 2015, making up nearly a third (31%) of Earth’s 7.3 billion people, according to a new Pew Research Center demographic analysis. The United States has the largest Christian population in the world with nearly 205 million Christians.

Consider how you might continue “The Commission" in your family, church, community, and beyond.
Friday, October 1, 2021
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

How has Christian Education evolved and changed during the Pandemic of 2020 and 2021? Through the increase in the use of technology and social media we continue to fulfill “The Commission” - “Go into all the world” - as we have been able to reach even more people for Christ! I am sure more people have participated in worship services, Sunday school, prayer, Bible study, educational workshops, conferences and seminars online than at any point in our history. Many of these resources were available prior to the pandemic; however, we may not have taken the opportunity to explore these avenues for ministry.

As some churches have resumed in-person services, cautions remain because the pandemic is not over. We thank and praise God that as more people become vaccinated, the number of positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths have declined. All of our lives have been impacted by this pandemic in numerous ways and our faith has been challenged. Some have remained resilient, while others have been weakened – even wavering in their faith. Some have remained hopeful – while others have drifted into a state of hopelessness. We must ask ourselves – Where am I? How am I really doing? Where do I place myself on this continuum?

Consider how your faith has continued to develop or been challenged during the Pandemic? 
Saturday, October 2, 2021
As disciples of Christ, what have we learned about God in Christ during this Pandemic? God continues to enable and empower us wherever we are in life to be a witness for God; and God is with us and journeys with us. We must continue to encourage men, women, boys, and girls to trust and depend upon the Lord for all things.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

We are called to share the Good News of the gospel – people need to hear a word of Good News!

The Good News is that we serve and believe in a living God – who can do all things but fail. What is the Good News - the good news is:

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He's always near
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart

We must continue to proclaim to the world that “He lives!” Jesus has commissioned, called, equipped, empowered, and prepared all believers through His word to continue the mission, ministry, and legacy of Jesus Christ. Let us be a light in the midst of darkness, a vessel of life in the midst of death and uncertainty, and a bearer of love, compassion, and hope as we fulfill The Great Commission!
He Lives
written by Alfred Henry Ackley (1887 - 1960)

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