Like the words "Trinity," "rapture," "and communion," the expression "Great Commission"* does not appear in the Scriptures. But it can be inferred.

 14 Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their unbelief-- their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him alive from the dead. And then he told them, *"You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Those who believe and are baptized will be saved. But those who refuse to believe will be condemned. "
[Mark 16:14-16]

And those who believe shall use my authority to cast out demons, and they shall speak new languages. They will be able even to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them; and they will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them." When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down at God's right hand. And the disciples went everywhere preaching, and the Lord was with them and confirmed what they said by the miracles that followed their messages. For commentary on this passage 

Click here [Mark 16:14-20]

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,(3) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  [Matthew 28:18-20]

It is from these Scriptures, and many others, that we get the concept of the Great Commission. It means that every believer is to be commissioned -- literally commanded -- to declare the good news of what Christ has done.

Who are the believers? There are primarily three groups of believers.

The first group believes the salvation message. This group believes the salvation message and believes they will go to heaven. For them, the Kingdom of God is a spiritual life insurance policy. Still, this group has not accepted the Great Commission. For them it is the Great Omission.

The second group not only has a salvation measure of belief, but it has a Great Commission measure of belief. They go forth, proclaiming the good news. It is though their obedience that many others are added to the church. For them, the Kingdom of God is also an eternal life insurance policy. These generally call themselves evangelic.

And the third group goes a step further. They believe the gospel message, They go forth and proclaim it. But, in addition, they believe the Holy Spirit is present today with the same power to perform miracles we read about in the early church. These believers confirm the truth of the gospel through the evidence of signs and wonders. Consequently, the signs and wonders follow them. These believers also have an eternal life insurance policy, but they are also experiencing the reality of the Kingdom of God in the present. The first group will be saved, but does not lead others to Christ. The second group will bring others to Christ, but may not make many disciples. The third group not only leads others to Christ, but in addition, make disciples who will in turn make disciples. This group accomplishes the most, because it is through them the church is multiplied. . . .

How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. [Hebrews 2:3-43]   (NIV)

Is this to say that some believers are better than others? No! All believers will be saved. But there will be different degrees of reward. Some will be better off than others.

 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. [Corinthians 3:12-15] (NIV)

God will reward every believer according to what he/she does in obedience to the Holy Spirit. God will not reward them for their good works if they are performed for their own benefit or glory and what they choose to do. What is this good news? The good news -- the gospel message -- is that the kingdom of God is near, or at hand. This became the case when Christ entered the world to proclaim the gospel message.

 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. [Revelation 3:20-22] (NIV)

John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire. [ Luke 3:1616] (NIV

For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [1 Corinthians 12:13] (NIV)

Here we can see that the Kingdom of God is at the door. Jesus is knocking on the door. But we must open the door of our heart to experience his fellowship. Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come,

Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:20-21] (NIV)

Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of God dwells within the true believer. The believer is not yet in Heaven physically, but the Kingdom of God is within him/her as an ongoing experience. It can be thought of as being an ambassador of God's kingdom.  What is the evidence that the Kingdom of God is a present reality?

But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. [Luke 11:20]  (NIV)

Here we see that one of the signs that the Kingdom of God is a present reality, is the power to cast out evil spirits.

. . .but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Luke 9:11] (NIV)

Here we see that Jesus told them the good news of the presence of the Kingdom of God and then He proved it -- He healed them.

. . . and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
 [Luke 9:2] (NIV) 

Here we see that the disciples were given the power to confirm the truth of their proclamation. And this same evidence can be seen today by anyone who will proclaim the same gospel.

And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." Mark 9:1] (NIV)

I had never understood this passage before preparing this lesson. Now I see it can refer to what happened at Pentecost. At that time the disciples experienced, not only the presence, but the power of the Kingdom of God in the "here and now." How does one enter into the Kingdom of God?

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. [John 3:5] (NIV)

Here we learn what the conditions are for becoming a citizen of God's kingdom immediately. There is no standing in line.

 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"   [Mark 1:15]  (NIV)

Here we learn that the Kingdom of God is close at hand. But no matter how close it is, the conditions remain unchanged. We must repent. We must turn from going our way and to going God's way. We must accept the King to get into the Kingdom.

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? [Luke 6:46] (NIV)

How does a believer get the power to prove the truth of the gospel?

 On the last day, the climax of the holidays, Jesus shouted to the crowds, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water shall flow from the inmost being of anyone who believes in me." (He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him; but the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet returned to his glory in heaven.) 
[John 7:37-39] (TLB)     

This passage gives four conditions: 
Be thirsty. 
But first become totally dehydrated of self-sufficiency. 
Go to Jesus. 
Ask Him to baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [Matthew 3:11] (NIV)

Drink. Drink and keep on drinking of all that the Holy Spirit makes available.

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! " 
[Luke 11:9-13] (NIV)

May I invite you to look in the mirror and ask the person you see "What group are you in?

If you want to move up to a higher group have you considered seeking God's help and power to enable you to do so