As Kingsway Ministries, we believe in the importance of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. They are like a watermark that determines the way we do things around here (Kingsway Ministries). From these two we have established our slogan/motto which simply says: Loving God, Loving People and Impacting Nations.

Let us take a closer look at the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

THE GREAT COMMANDMENT:
(Loving God, Loving People)

“But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:34-40‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

“When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important? Jesus said, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:34-40‬ ‭(MSG‬‬)

The WHAT and the HOW of the Great Commandment:

The WHAT?
- LOVE
1. Loving God
2. Loving People

The HOW?
- LOVE
1. God - with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind (with all your passion and prayer and intelligence)
2. People - as yourself (as well as you love yourself)

The PEGS of the Great Commandment:

Jesus’ reply really simplified things.
From 613 rules and regulations known as the Old Testament Law, to the Ten Commandments, Jesus boils it all down to the verses that we just read. We are to love God and love people.

If you truly love God...
1. You shall have no other gods but God Himself.
2. You shall not make any idol for yourself, nor bow down to worship it.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day.

If you truly love people...
1. You will respect your mother and father.
2. You won’t murder people.
3. You won’t commit adultery
4. You won’t steal from people.
5. You won’t gossip against people.
6. You won’t be envious of your neighbour’s goods.

THE GREAT COMMISSION:
(Impacting Nations)

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Jesus emphasized four things in this passage:

1. His Power

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go...”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Notice how He phrased His words: “All authority has been given to Me, therefore you go.” The implication is clear: As we go with His message, we’ll have His power. Jesus made this even clearer in Acts 1:8, saying, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me.”

2. His Purpose

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations...”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

His purpose for the church—to “make disciples of all the nations.” The word disciple means “a follower, learner, one who adheres to a leader and teacher.” We’re involved in disciple-making every day on a local level as people watch our lives and see Christ in us.

But notice those words “all nations.”
It’s a global task. Christ wants us to reach the world, and it takes the church to accomplish this.

Hence, our mandate:
1. Locally - to be effective in our community.
2. Nationally - to be a voice in our country.
3. Internationally - to make an impact globally.

3. His Plan

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you...”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

How do we do it? Jesus gave us three steps—going, baptizing, and teaching. Literally this passage says, “As you are going, make disciples by baptizing . . . and teaching.” The main purpose is to make disciples, but the process is by going, baptizing, and teaching.

4. His Presence

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Jesus ends the Great Commission by assuring us of His presence. As we draw on His power, adopt His purpose, and implement His plan, we’ll enjoy His presence: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The Great Commission isn’t an “inside job.” We’re called to go! Two-thirds of God’s Name is GO!!!