Thesis
In His final words to His disciples, Jesus commissioned every follower to go and make disciples — not as an optional suggestion, but as the very purpose for which He died and for which we are still here. Pastor Bill argues that fully embracing this Great Commission requires being a disciple first: knowing Jesus personally, growing in biblical community, and going to live intentionally. These three movements are not burdens but the path to the personal fulfillment, joy, and peace every believer is searching for, powered by surrender to the Holy Spirit rather than the old self.
Key points
- 1
The Great Commission is Jesus' final and most critical command — to go and make disciples is the entire point of the Christian life.
- 2
To make disciples, you must first be one — knowing Christ personally through private Bible meditation and public worship together as the body.
- 3
Growing in biblical community means purposeful relationships where believers are truly known, accepted, supported, and developed — bearing one another's burdens so each can carry their own calling.
- 4
Going to live intentionally means stewarding your time, talent, spiritual gifts, treasure, and testimony around the mission of pointing people to Jesus.
- 5
The battle against full engagement is the ongoing war between the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature — the old self still parked in the driveway — and victory requires daily surrender to the Spirit.
- 6
Real trust in Jesus means believing He knows better than we do how to find what we are looking for — and that the obstacles in front of us are worth navigating because joy is on the other side.
Outline
Introduction — The Driveway Story
Pastor Bill recounts getting blocked in his driveway the night of the Christmas light show, drawing a parallel between the obstacle almost keeping him home and the obstacles that keep believers from living out their God-given calling.
The Great Commission — The Point
Jesus' final words in Matthew 28 are presented as the defining mission of every disciple. Pastor Bill establishes the big idea: pointing people to Jesus is the point, and this commission is not a good suggestion — it is the call.
Know — Know Jesus Personally
The first mark of a disciple is knowing Christ intimately, not just informationally. This happens through private practices (reading and meditating on Scripture, prayer) and public corporate worship, and all three group sizes — solo, corporate, and small group — are essential.
Grow — Grow in Biblical Community
Drawing on Galatians 6, Pastor Bill explains that real community means being known, accepted, supported, and developed. It involves bearing one another's burdens (outside obstacles) while each person also carries their own God-given 'soldier's pack.'
Go — Go Live Intentionally
The third mark of a disciple is intentional personal investment — stewarding time, talent, spiritual gifts, treasure, and testimony around the mission. Pastor Bill uses tithing and children's sports schedules as concrete examples of choosing God's way over the old self.
The Battle — Old Self vs. Holy Spirit
Pastor Bill names the reason most Christians stay stuck: the sinful nature (the old CRV) is still in the driveway, and many keep driving it instead of the new life Christ gave them. Surrender to the Holy Spirit — not just belief in Jesus — is what bridges the gap between the life we live and the life we are called to live.
Communion and Call to Surrender
Pastor Bill invites the congregation to the Lord's Supper as a moment of surrender, returning to the cross to remember Christ's sacrifice and trust Him with every area of life. The Zambia mission video and a closing prayer reinforce that joy is found on the other side of obedience.
Memorable moments
this call to go make disciples is really a call to be one
instead of knowing it's the great commission, we live as if it's just a good suggestion
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead
the Holy Spirit is the difference between the life we live and the life we are called to live
you'll trust that God can save you through all of eternity, but you can't trust him with your money, your time
pointing people to Jesus is the point by being a disciple
Application
Pastor Bill frames the takeaway as a choice made daily, not just once. Every believer already has the vehicle — the new life Christ died to give — but many keep driving the old self all week and only take the new one out on Sundays. The practical next step is to get honest about which of the three areas needs attention: Are you regularly in the Word, letting it speak to you personally? Are you in a small group where you are truly known and being sharpened? Are you stewarding your time, spiritual gifts, money, and story around the mission of pointing people to Jesus? The Great Commission is not the pastor's job — it is the calling of every disciple. Come back to the cross, surrender the old self to the Holy Spirit, navigate the zigzags, and trust that the joy waiting on the other side is worth every turn.
