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, 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 NIV

As we enter 2026, our church’s theme is The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), which reminds us of Jesus’ final words: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” We often associate this with full-time missionaries, or pastors but Jesus didn’t mean it like that. He speaks to us, all Christians. Therefore, every Christian is a disciple and all of us are called to make disciples. That is a non-negotiable.

Being a disciple is not something we earn through service. It is our identity in Christ. When we accept Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Saviour, we become His followers and disciples. Discipleship is not something we do every now and then. Our calling is not limited to church building. But it extends to our homes, workplaces, schools, universities and communities.

Our identity as disciples is rooted in Christ.

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3 NIV

This verse ought to change the way we see ourselves. We are no longer defined by our past, our achievements, or our failures. We are defined by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, and His resurrection. When our identity is firmly secured in Christ, our characters naturally become more like Him.

In Matthew 28, Jesus said that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. He sends us out not in our own strength, but in His authority. This ought to give us confidence. We don’t have to be eloquent, smart, or outspoken to preach the Gospel to the lost. We simply need to be obedient and available. Thus, God will use us for His purpose.

Making disciples starts with how we live everyday.

Trust me when I say this. The world is constantly watching us (Christians). We’re always put in the spotlight. People are always watching how we deal with suffering (do we blame others or God when bad things happen?), how we treat others (what happens when we don’t get what we want), and how we handle money (do we go out and upgrade our watch or handbag when we get a promotion?). Our words matter, but our actions speak even louder. When we forgive, show compassion, stand for truth, and love unconditionally, we demonstrate Christ to the world around us. Discipleship is modeled before it is taught.

Jesus also commands us to teach others to obey everything He has instructed.

So discipleship is an on-going journey, not a one-time event like our justification. We grow spiritually by spending time in God’s Word, praying, and walking in fellowship with fellow Christians (like our small groups known as COOL). As we mature, we are called to help others grow too. This may look like mentoring a fellow believer, inviting someone to church, or simply having meaningful conversations about faith.

The Great Commission ends with an amazing promise: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We are never alone in this mission. God supplies us the energy and power to do so. Christ is with us every step of the way. He empowers us, guides us, and sustains us. What an astonishing promise!

So as we begin this new year, let us embrace our identity as disciples of Christ. Let us grow in maturity, rooted in Him, and committed to making disciples wherever God has placed us. Let this not just be a lip service but it is our calling.

Prayer:

Father in Heaven, thank You for reminding us of our calling through the Great Commission. We know our identity is in Christ alone. Strengthen our faith, help us to live each day as true disciples who are faithful, obedient, and rooted in Your Word. Give us courage to share the Gospel with our lost friends and families. Guide our steps along the way and use us for Your purpose. May our lives point others to Jesus, and may we be faithful in making disciples wherever You have placed us. We depend on You for the source of our strength, knowing You are with us always. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.