Tag: Great Commission

Pastor’s Notes 5/8/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“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 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” –Matthew 28:19-20

Life experience has taught me the importance of paying attention to reading the instructions. Like when putting together a piece of furniture… or a new gadget… or something that looked simple enough. I start out confident but then about halfway through, something isn’t quite right.

There are extra screws. Pieces don’t line up. I go back, retrace my steps, maybe even start over. Eventually, I find myself doing what I probably should have done from the beginning and seek to understand how it was meant to come together in the first place.

This Sunday, we come to the ending words of Matthew’s Gospel, known as the Great Commission. These are some of the most familiar words Jesus speaks: “Go… make disciples… baptize… teach…”

They can sound like a set of instructions. A mission statement. A clear directive. But like most things in the life of faith, they are more than just directions to follow. Because when we look closely, we notice something important: the disciples who receive this commission are not fully confident. Matthew tells us that they worship, and some doubt.

And following the script Mark placed before us last week, and still… they are sent.

So, what does it mean to live out our own calling amid our questions, our uncertainties, and our everyday lives? This week, we’ll explore what it means to “go” in ways that are faithful, meaningful, and deeply rooted in relationship.

Because maybe the Great Commission isn’t just about getting it right. Maybe it’s about learning, step by step, how to live into the life we’ve already been invited to share. I look forward to worshipping with you on Mother’s Day in person or on YouTube.

Brett

Sermon 4/16/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

We all know what it means when something is “out of commission.” When we face a health condition, illness, or upcoming surgery we know that regular patterns of behavior may not be possible for a while. When the car is in the shop, an appliance is broken, or things aren’t producing as expected, we often turn the phrase “out of commission.”

So then, when something is rip-roaring ready to go, we could assume that it is “in commission.” In the final story in Matthew’s gospel found in Matt 28:16-20, Jesus commissions the disciples. He makes them ready, gets them in the game, throws them into action, and sends them out. He commissions the disciples. Jesus motivates and anoints; he commands and instructs. Jesus puts the disciples into commission with the simple verbs of “go, make, baptize, and teach.”

Well, these instructions may sound simple enough, but we know the reality is a bit more complex. These were the instructions for how to live life and serve faithfully when Jesus is no longer walking the earth. The very last line of Matthew’s gospel are Jesus’ own words, (Matt 6:20b) meant to bring support and encouragement. “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Holy Spirit is the gift Jesus will leave with them, as well the memories, example, and scriptural understanding to love as he did. The tools are there. The on-the-job training that the disciples have been going through has reached completion and now the time has come for them to continue on, as Jesus showed them.  

This Sunday, April 16th we too wrestled with Jesus commission of “go, make, baptize, and teach.” The joy of Easter continues as we confirm that death did not have the final and we, Sun City Christian Church, will continue serve faithfully for Christ is still with us. I look forward to worshipping with you. 

Brett