Fulfilling the Great Commission by Obeying the Great Commandment Part 2
January 14, 2025

Fulfilling the Great Commission by Obeying the Great Commandment

Matthew 28:16-20; 22:34-40
Darrin Mariott, Lead Pastor

We can begin to fulfill the Great Commission by first obeying the
Great Commandment.

Know Your Purpose (Matt. 28:16-20)
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

A. Last week we examined the importance of Jesus’ command for
us to proclaim the Gospel (the Good News of forgiveness for sin
through Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection for all who
believe in Him). This command is so important because it
reminds us why God the Son took on flesh and made His
appearance among us (cf. Jn. 3:16).

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

B. We see the purpose of the Gospel reflected in:

1. Jesus’ mission (cf. Lk. 19:10; Matt. 9:11).
Luke 19:10
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Matthew 9:11
11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

2.2. Jesus’ obedience (cf. Jn. 17:1-5).
John:1-5
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

3.Jesus’ priorities (cf. Lk. 15:1-7).
Luke 15:1-7
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”3 So he told them this parable4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

C. The Good News of Jesus Christ reminds us that we have been
born with a purpose that goes far beyond anything this world
can offer. When we exercise our gifts for God’s glory and the
encouragement of His people, then we are reflecting the priority
of God’s call on our lives.

II. Know God’s Priority (Matt. 22:34-40)
Matthew 22:34-40
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38 This is the great and first commandment.39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

A. Why do we do what we do? What is it that drives us? Whatever
values may be trending in our culture, Jesus made it clear that
the ultimate value is love—love for God and love for our
neighbor (vv. 34-40; cf. Deut. 6:4-5; Lev. 19:18).

1 Deuteronomy 6:4-5
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Leveticus 19:18
18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

B. The priority of love is reflected in:

1. Love for God with our whole being. This love is seen in:

a. Fidelity (cf. Ex. 20:3; Matt. 6:24).


b. Obedience (cf. Jn. 14:21-24).
John 14:21-24


21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?”23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.


c. Perseverance (cf. Js. 1:12).
James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

2. Love for our neighbor as ourselves is to reflect a
Christlikeness toward others and is a practical way to
demonstrate God’s love (cf. Rom. 13:8-10).

Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.