Mission Possible: Go, Preach, Gospel

Have you ever found yourself praying for characters on a movie screen? I'll admit it,when I'm watching Mission Impossible and Ethan Hunt is dangling from a cliff, I catch myself whispering prayers for his safety. I know it's not real, but there's something about those heart-pumping, adrenaline-filled moments that gets me every time.

The Mission Impossible franchise has given us eight movies over thirty years, each one seemingly more impossible than the last. And yet, Ethan Hunt keeps accepting those missions. "Good morning, Mr. Hunt. This is your mission, should you choose to accept it..." Those famous words are followed by instructions so confidential that the message self-destructs in five seconds.

There's No Mission Without an Assignment

I think we can all relate to those heart-pumping moments when we're given a mission that feels impossible. That choice between rising to the challenge or letting fear keep us still and silent. Here's what I want you to understand: there's no Mission Impossible movie without an assigned mission, but there's no follower of Christ without an assigned commission.

Today, I want to share with you about the Great Commission.  This is a passage that reveals Jesus commissioning His disciples with their mission for why we are all here on earth. This wasn't just for the twelve disciples; it's for every single one of us.

The Context Changes Everything

Before we dive into this famous passage, let me paint the picture. When Jesus gave these words recorded in Matthew 28:18-20, it was between the resurrection and Pentecost. The disciples had already witnessed the miracle-working power of God.  They'd seen Jesus die for our sins and be raised to life. Now He was telling them, "Here's how you live it out. Here's what you're going to do with your life."

Let's read the Great Commission together:

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:18-20)

Three short verses. Three sentences that would define the mission of every Christ-follower for eternity.

Breaking Down the Mission: Go, Preach, Gospel

If I could break down these three sentences into the fewest words possible, it would be: Go. Preach. Gospel.

Go: Movement Is Required

Jesus could have simply said "Go" and that would have been enough. He had just declared that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him. The mission is clear, the responsibility is clear. That word "go" implies action.

I cannot stay in the seat of comfort, overthinking, anxiety, insecurity, or comparison. I actually have to move. I have to take action in my life to literally walk out the Great Commission that Jesus has given. It requires me to be uncomfortable.

What I appreciate about Jesus's leadership is that He never tells us to do something He isn't willing to do Himself. When He says "go and make disciples of all nations," the disciples weren't shocked because they had just spent three years watching Jesus do exactly this.

Picture this: at the time of Jesus, each nation was about the size of a county in Florida. They were close together with easy access to one another. But there was also significant racial tension between different people groups, races, and languages.

Yet throughout His ministry, we see Jesus minister to Jews, Samaritans, Romans, and Greeks. He showed dignity and esteem to all people, modeling that being part of God's family has nothing to do with bloodline or location, but everything to do with God's heart for all humanity to know Him.

Preach: Use Your Voice

Jesus tells the disciples to baptize people and teach them to obey His commands. This leads to two logical conclusions: First, if I'm going to teach people what Jesus is teaching me, I actually have to open my mouth. I have to be proactive in sharing what God has been teaching me.

When we don't use our voice, when we don't share our story, we often forget about it ourselves. How could someone know that God has been good to you if you don't tell them what He has done and who He has been for you?

Second, if I'm being commissioned to teach others what Jesus is teaching me, I have to ask myself an honest question: Am I teachable? Do I actually absorb conviction when something drops into my spirit? Do I wrestle with difficult truths and bring them to the Lord's presence, or do I just let them go?

Gospel: The Power of Your Story

Jesus promises, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Notice the structure of the Great Commission.  Its like a sandwich. Jesus talks about Himself at the beginning (His authority) and at the end (His presence), with our mission in the middle. The gospel and the Great Commission are all about Jesus, not about our comfort.

Start Where You Are

In Acts 1:8, Jesus gives us a model: "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Jerusalem was home base, Judea was the nation at large, Samaria was next door, and then everywhere else.

Start at home. Are you using your voice at home? Are you stewarding the relationships closest to you? We practice at home because it feels safer.  We can make mistakes, try again, and receive compassionate feedback. If we aren't practicing at home, how will we ever have the confidence to do it outside our comfort zone?

You Have What It Takes

Here's what I need you to hear as your pastor: when it comes to the Great Commission, you have everything you need to live it out. God isn't looking for perfect people or super Christians. He's looking for people who are willing to be obedient and say, "I accept the mission."

Let me give you some evidence:

You have the authority of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. That alone would be enough, but God is so good, He's given you even more.

You have a story. Your imperfect story has power because it points to a loving, redeeming God. It shows that you couldn't have earned where you are on your own, but God.

You can communicate. Every person can communicate in some way.  Even with limitations, God has given each of us a way to express ourselves verbally, in writing, or through creativity.

You have resources. Whether it's $25 for a backpack that helps a single mom get planted in church, sponsoring a student, or simply treating your neighbor to lunch, your finances are a way to share the gospel.

You have access to God's Word. Many pastors in third-world countries only have pages or portions of Scripture. You have the complete resource available to you.

You have a place to live. It doesn't matter if the furniture isn't what you wish it was or if there are Cheerios on the floor. Inviting someone into your home shows the love of God.

You have a church family. You don't have to do this alone. Like every family, we have our quirks and imperfections, but you have people here to lean on, learn from, and grow with.

Mission Accomplished

The Mission Impossible franchise is all about teamwork, trust, leadership, and sacrifice. Doesn't that sound biblical? You don't have to carry out the Great Commission on your own.  In fact, I don't think you can. It has to be done with Jesus, and it's better when done in community.

At the end of my days, I want to stand before the Lord and hear, "Amanda, mission accomplished. Well done, my good and faithful servant." Not the perfect servant, not the one with all the answers, but a faithful servant.

The reality is this: if you've chosen Jesus, you've already chosen to accept this mission. You might not have realized it, but when you said "yes" to Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you made a vow, just like wedding vows. You don't know every challenge ahead, but you've already made the commitment.

Jesus has already made His vow to you: "I am with you always, even to the very end of the age."

You have what it takes. Please stop disqualifying yourself. Please stop letting barriers hold you back when Jesus said, "I've given it to you. All authority is yours, and I am with you."

The message won't self-destruct. It's not meant to be confidential. It's meant to be sent to the masses, to every tribe, every tongue, every nation.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Go. Preach. Gospel.

Will you accept?