²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

teaching them

“Teaching” is the third function under the command to “make disciples.” The book of Matthew itself is an example of teaching others. This represents edification of those who are already believers.

to observe all things that I have commanded you;

The word “observe” means obey. The pronoun “I” is emphatic; Jesus emphasizes His personal authority that backs those who teach with authority.

Notice that the Lord said to teach people to “observe all things” that He commanded. He did not say “some things.” The Lord expects a thorough investigation of His Word.

PRINCIPLE:

The church needs to take the teaching of God’s Word seriously.

APPLICATION:

The mission of the church is more than conversion; it is also edification. We cannot obey the Lord if we do not understand the principles that underlie the Christian life.

Teaching is the neglected dimension to the Great Commission today. Churches are afraid to proclaim propositions of Scripture. They deem that people in our day are too media oriented to listen to exposition of Scripture. That is only true if the people do not have a passion for God’s Word.

Pastors today yield to the idea that people do not want solid teaching. This is a serious mistake. The real issue is that people do not even know how the Bible can radically change their lives. This loss of hope that God’s Word can change lives will eviscerate dynamic Christianity. We have boiled everything down to the least common denominator so that Christians live on a meager pittance of what they could. Jesus said that man shall live on every word that comes from the mouth of God. “Teaching” is essential to the Great Commission.

God does not expect leaders to make a choice between evangelism and teaching. Both are essential to “making disciples.”