The Purpose of the Church – God Draws His People

Central Truth The church exists to make disciples of all nations because the risen Christ, wielding all authority in heaven and on earth, commands His covenant people to go, baptize, teach obedience—and promises His presence until the end of the age. When the church obeys, lost souls are drawn like iron to a magnet, Hell’s gates are assaulted, and covenant blessings pour out in abundance.

Sermon Summary In the final verses of Matthew’s Gospel, the risen Jesus meets His disciples on a Galilean mountain and issues the marching orders that define the church’s reason for being: “All authority has been given to Me… Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”

I exposited Matthew 28:16–20 in four movements, each anchored in the book of Acts to show that the Great Commission is not a suggestion but the engine of New Testament church life.

1. Christ’s Victory – The Gospel’s Magnet (vv. 16–17; Acts 2:41) Even as some disciples still wavered in doubt, the resurrected Jesus stood before them—alive, glorious, irresistible. The same resurrection power that turned cowardly deniers into bold witnesses on Pentecost still draws sinners today. “If I am lifted up, I will draw all men to Myself” (John 12:32). Three thousand were added in a single day—not by clever marketing, but by the simple proclamation of a crucified and risen King.
2. Christ’s Authority – The Power of Attraction (v. 18; Acts 4:31–33) “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” Post-resurrection, post-ascension, Jesus reigns from the throne promised in Daniel 7 and Psalm 110. When the early church faced threats, they prayed, the room shook, and they spoke with great boldness—because they served a King whose authority crushes Satan and draws rebels to repentance. We do not beg the nations to consider Jesus; we command them, in the name of the King, to repent.
3. Christ’s Command – The Practice of Evangelism (vv. 19–20a; Acts 8:4–8) One imperative—“make disciples”—supported by three participles: going (preaching), baptizing, and teaching them to observe everything Jesus commanded. Philip in Samaria did not wait for relationships or cultural permission; he proclaimed Christ, demons fled, and an entire city rejoiced. Mercy ministry without gospel proclamation is disobedience. Catechism without the nations in view is disobedience. The command is comprehensive and urgent.
4. Christ’s Presence – The Guarantee of Fruitfulness (v. 20b; Acts 16:14–15) “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This is Immanuel’s final promise. Paul preached; the Lord opened Lydia’s heart; the church baptized. We plant and water, but Jesus gives the growth—and He never fails. The presence of the risen Christ guarantees that the last elect sheep from the last unreached people group will be brought in.

Application – This Week at Hope on the Hill

• Share the gospel with at least one unbeliever this week—clearly, boldly, in the authority of King Jesus.
• Families: open the Joshua Project at dinner and pray for an unreached people group by name.
• Students: take tracts to campus; expect mockery, expect salvation—Christ is with you.
• Every member: no more silence, no more compromise. The tomb is empty. The throne is occupied. The nations are waiting.

The church’s purpose is evangelism—assaulting Hell’s gates by making disciples—because our victorious King has spoken, and He will not return until the mission is complete.

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