To emphasize the mission of the Church to be witnesses of Jesus Christ, spreading the Gospel to all nations.
Scripture Verses to Support the Sermon:
- Acts 1:8 - 'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'
- Mark 16:15 - 'He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.''
- 1 Peter 2:9 - 'But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.'
Language Suggestions:
- In Matthew 28:19, the word 'baptizing' (βαπτίζοντες) can be explained to your audience as an act of initiation into the community of believers, symbolizing their commitment to follow Jesus.
- The word 'teaching' (διδάσκοντες) in Matthew 28:20 can be emphasized as an ongoing process of discipleship, where believers are continually growing in their understanding and application of Jesus' teachings.
Other Relevant Scriptures:
- Ephesians 4:11-13 - This passage speaks about the equipping of believers for works of service and the building up of the body of Christ.
- Romans 10:14-15 - This passage highlights the necessity of preaching the Gospel and how it is through the proclamation of the message that people can come to faith in Christ.