Go: The One Word That Changed the World
By Pastor Robert Hyatt
Sunday, April 12, 2026“Go and Make Disciples: Our Mission from the Mountain”
Scripture: Matthew 28:16–20 (NKJV)Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 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.The disciples gathered on a mountain in Galilee, just as Jesus had directed them before His death and resurrection. They came tired and uncertain, their hearts weary from loss and confusion, yet still holding onto hope. They were people whose strength was low, whose thoughts were unsettled, yet their hearts remained open, waiting for God to move. It was a moment much like the atmosphere of an old tent revival, where people gather hungry for a move of God—where signs and wonders begin to flow, and faith is renewed. When those disciples saw the risen Lord standing before them, worship filled their hearts, though even then, some wrestled with doubt. That moment was powerful because it showed that Jesus does not call the perfect; He calls the willing. Like those disciples, we often come to Him with our own mixture of faith and uncertainty, yet in His presence, faith begins to rise.On that mountain, Jesus gave His followers their life’s purpose—a mission that still belongs to us today: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” These words, spoken over two thousand years ago, continue to resound in the heart of every believer. Jesus began with the declaration, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” He reminded His disciples that their mission would not rely on their own ability, skill, or confidence, but on His divine authority. When we go, we do not go in our own strength. We go under the full power of the risen Christ, who reigns in heaven and on earth.Imagine a missionary standing far from home in a small village that had never heard the name of Jesus. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces and languages, he felt small and inadequate. But when he began to speak of Christ’s love, hearts started to open. People who once lived in darkness began to see light. That transformation was not brought about by human eloquence or strength—it was the authority and presence of Jesus working through him. The same Jesus who conquered death and the grave now sends and empowers us to bring life to others. When you walk into your workplace, your neighborhood, or even to a nearby friend who needs prayer, remember that you carry the authority of heaven with you. The mission begins right where you are.The command of Jesus was simple yet world-changing: Go, teach, baptize. He was sending ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things through obedience and faith. To “Go” means to move, to take action, both physically and spiritually. We are not called to sit still or wait for ideal conditions—we are called to step out in faith. To “Teach” means to disciple others, helping them not only to believe but to grow, to live as Jesus taught, and to model His truth in every area of life. To “Baptize” means to affirm a new believer’s faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, marking a fresh identity in Christ and a public declaration of belonging to God’s family.In 1853, a young man named Hudson Taylor left his home in England at the age of just twenty-one to take the Gospel to China. He had little money, no modern communication, and no large organization behind him. What he had was a burning heart for the lost and faith that God would provide. Taylor once said, “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” His obedience became the spark for an entire missions movement. Because he went, millions have come to know Christ throughout Asia. The same Spirit that empowered Hudson Taylor still empowers believers today—in rural towns, city streets, and every place where the name of Jesus is spoken with love and authority.Today, we recognize the missionaries who have answered this call. Dave and Shonda Tompkins, Edwell and Constance, the Mann Family serving across Israel, Germany, and other regions, Pastor Marv in Ghana’s South Region, supported by Mike and Sybol Day, the ministry of Cookson Hills, and our own Vassar Church outreach to the homeless in Oklahoma City. Each of these servants demonstrates that the Great Commission is alive. God still sends His people to reach the lost, near and far.Jesus concluded His command with a promise that still stands as an anchor to our faith. He said, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” What a promise! It means that no matter where we go, no matter what we face, we are never alone. His presence goes with us, strengthening us, and reminding us that the mission is His, not ours.A young woman in Oklahoma once shared how she felt led to comfort a grieving neighbor. Unsure what to say, she simply brought a warm meal and prayed silently before leaving. Months later, that same neighbor walked into church and gave her heart to Jesus. She later said, “When you came to my door, I felt God’s love again.” That is what it looks like when Jesus’ promise becomes real—when His presence turns an act of kindness into eternal change.The Great Commission is not only for missionaries or pastors; it is for every believer. The “nations” Jesus spoke of are not only countries overseas—they include our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and homes. Wherever someone needs hope, that is your mission field. Ask yourself: Who around me needs to hear of Jesus’ love? How can I take part in teaching and leading others into His family? What step will I take this week to obey His command to go?When Jesus met His disciples on that mountain, He gave them more than a command—He gave them courage. And that same courage belongs to us today. Whatever your past may hold, whatever doubts you carry, His call remains the same: Go, therefore, and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Carry His message to the lost. Speak life to the weary. Share His love boldly. The risen Lord who stood on that mountain now stands with you, always.