Go and Make Disciples

Gospel Light Church

ONWARD Series #5

February 8th, 2026

Go and Make Disciples

Matthew 28:16–20 (ESV)

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. And 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.’”

**Because Jesus has all authority and is always with us, the church moves ONWARD by obeying His command to make disciples of all nations.

The Movement Must Continue

• Movements either advance or die.
  They don’t stagnate—they either move forward or fade away.
• Christianity was never meant to be a museum of memories; it was designed to be a movement of multiplication.
• Matthew 28 is the marching orders of the risen King.
• The resurrection launches a mission.

1. The Setting – Ordinary Disciples, Extraordinary Moment (v. 16–17)

• “The eleven” – not the twelve
  • One failed
  • All had fled
  • None were impressive by worldly standards
• “They worshiped… but some doubted”
  • Faith and uncertainty standing side by side
  • Jesus entrusts His mission not to perfect faith—but obedient faith
• God does not wait for flawless disciples before He sends them.
  He sends worshipers who are willing to obey.

You don’t need all your questions answered to go onward.

2. The Foundation: Supreme Authority (v. 18)

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

• Authority over:
  • Heaven and earth
  • Life and death
  • Sin and salvation
  • The church and the nations

Ambition is great but the mission flows from authority.

We don’t go because we are strong.
We go because He reigns.

• If Jesus has all authority, then disobedience is not an option.

3. The Command: One Central Imperative (v. 19)

“Go therefore and make disciples…”

There is ONE command here, the other words describe how we do it:

a. Going – As you are going

• Everyday life
• Neighborhoods
• Workplaces
• Nations

b. Baptizing – New identity

• Public declaration
• Entry into the community of faith
• Marked by the name of the Triune God – Father / Son / Holy Spirit

c. Teaching – Lifelong obedience

• Information / learning
• Formation
• Teaching people to obey – walking by faith.

The need:

• Evangelism impacts converts.
• Discipleship forms lives.

4. The Scope: All Nations (v. 19)

• No ethnic boundary
• No cultural limitation
• No geographic restriction

The gospel was never meant to stop at Jerusalem—it was always aimed at the world.

Important reminder:

• The church does not exist for itself.
• The church exists for the sake of the nations.

5. The Promise: His Presence Until the End (v. 20)

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Great Commission begins with authority
and ends with presence.

Jesus does not send us away from Him,
He sends us with Him.

We never go alone.

A pastor once shared about a man named Tom who came to faith later in life.

Tom didn’t know theology. He didn’t own a Bible when he first believed.
He wasn’t confident speaking in front of people. But one older believer named Bill decided to meet with him every Tuesday morning at a diner.

• They read Scripture together
• They prayed together
• Bill showed Tom how to share his faith
• They talked about marriage, integrity, and obedience

Years later, Tom was discipling three other men—who were discipling others.

No platform.
No spotlight.
No applause.

Just one believer saying, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”

That is how the gospel has moved ONWARD for 2,000 years.

HOW DO WE GO ONWARD?

1. Shift the Win

• Not just attendance
• Not just giving.
• Making disciples who make disciples

2. Identify Your “One”

• Who are you intentionally investing in?
• Who are you walking with toward Christlikeness?

3. Obey What You Already Know

• The mission doesn’t start with more information.
• It starts with obedience.

START TODAY!!!