God’s Purpose of Life for Every Christian Matthew 28:18-20 Devotional

In this Matthew 28:18-20 devotional, we’ll discover the purpose of every Christian’s life and how to live out this God-given mission in the world today.

Since the beginning of time, people have searched for the answer to the question… What is the Meaning of Life? They’re hoping to find some meaning in all of the chaos we face. They mistakenly believe that if they can answer this one question, then all of their problems will fade away. As Christians we know that God gives us the answer in His Word. It’s surprisingly simple, yet powerful. If you don’t already know the answer, you can read it here.

But I’d like to take this discussion one step further and look at the Purpose of a Christian’s life. Because we’re followers of Jesus, our purpose is different from the rest of the world. While most people are working hard to buy expensive possessions, a bigger house, or rack up their 401k, we’re called to achieve a more important goal, one that’s eternal.

What is the Meaning of Matthew 28:18-20?

Let’s read these important verses from the Gospel of Matthew together and explore their deep meaning in detail…

And Jesus came up 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

The Great Commission

This passage of Scripture we all know as “The Great Commission”. But what does it mean in our lives right now? This verse is our purpose and our calling as Christians. It’s a commandment from our Savior about how we should be living every day. The words of Jesus give us three distinct points about the purpose we’ve been given, and how we are to grow God’s kingdom, plus a little bit of encouragement when the going gets tough.

Through God’s grace, we’ve been saved and given a new life in Jesus, and now we have the privilege of sharing that gift with others. In a lost world searching for meaning, we hold the greatest message of all, the hope of salvation through faith in Christ. So, let’s break down Jesus’ words and discover how we can live out our God-given purpose.

Go and make disciples of all nations…

Some of us will have the opportunity to serve God in foreign countries. But most of us will serve God here in our own country. We don’t have to go to a far off land to follow the Great Commission. Wherever we are, and whatever we’re doing, it’s our responsibility to tell people about the Good News of Salvation in the Lord Jesus. We can’t leave it to chance that someone else will do it for us. God puts us where He wants us to be and we can win souls for Him right here in our own backyards. All we have to do is look around us and we’ll see that there are so many people who are already in our lives who need Jesus Christ. Whether it’s our calling to serve God at home or abroad, we have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill our purpose to make new disciples of Jesus.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8

Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…

Baptism is an outward showing of our faith. It’s a symbol of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Being baptized doesn’t give us eternal life, instead it shows the world that we’re a part of the Kingdom of God and now have a new life in Jesus Christ.

When someone is saved, the next step is baptism. And we need to make sure that we follow Christ’s command to baptize people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit once they’ve received Jesus as their Savior. The life of Jesus is our example. He lead the way by being baptized by John the Baptist, fulfilling God’s will.

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
 
Mark 1:9-11

Teach them to observe all that I commanded you…

Once someone that we have witnessed to is “saved”, our job isn’t over. They need to be taught God’s Word and how to have a personal relationship with Jesus through prayer and studying the Bible.

I’m very grateful for the wonderful people God put into my life while I was going up. They poured their knowledge of Jesus into my young mind and taught me to let my light shine for Him. Of course, my parents did the important work of teaching me to love Jesus with my whole heart, but there were also so many Sunday School teachers, VBS workers, Deacons and friends. They invested in my life and discipled me along the way. And I’m sure you’ve had people who’ve done the same.

Now it’s our turn to be the teacher. All of the things we learned, probably many years ago, God tells us to teach to the new Christians in our lives. Jesus spent time, one on one, with people. He taught them all that God wanted them to know. Again, He’s our example, showing us how to be a teacher and how to invest in the lives of the people around us. Just as He gave His knowledge to the twelve disciples, we must pass on our knowledge to the people we’ve witnessed to. Then one day they’ll be ready to teach what they’ve learned to the next batch of new Christians.

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
 
2 Timothy 2:2

I Am with You Always, Even to the End of the Age

The promise of Christ in this verse is one we can cling to every day. After Jesus’ resurrection, He reassured His disciples—and us—that we are never alone in this mission. No matter what challenges we face, His presence and guidance will remain with us until the very end of the age, giving us the strength and courage to share His love with the world.

For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

Read More:

• Be Inspired by these Bible Verses about God’s Plan!

• Draw from the Wells of Salvation with this Devotional! 

• If “Pressing On” is Hard… this Bible Study will help!

The Authority of Jesus in the Great Commission

Before Jesus gave us the Great Commission, He declared, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18). This statement reminds us that the authority of Christ Jesus is the foundation of our purpose as His followers. We aren’t sharing the Gospel in our own strength, but with the full backing of the King of Kings.

Because He reigns over all, we can trust Him completely as we step out in faith to fulfill Jesus’ commands. No matter where He leads us or what challenges we face, His power is greater than any obstacle. With confidence in His authority, we can boldly share His love, knowing that He’s working through us to bring others into His kingdom.

Why Sharing the Gospel Matters

I get it… sharing the Gospel can feel intimidating. What if they don’t listen? What if I don’t have the right words? I’ve had those same fears too. But here’s the truth, we’re not doing this alone, God’s presence goes with us, and the power of Christ works through us. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, just faithful.

When I think about how Jesus changed my life, I know I can’t keep that to myself. Sharing the Gospel isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about loving others enough to point them to the One who does. Every conversation, every act of kindness, every moment we share His truth is an opportunity for someone to experience the life-changing grace of God. And that’s worth stepping out in faith for.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:16 NKJV

The Gospel is the greatest gift we could ever share because it has the power to change lives for eternity. When we trust God to work through us, He gives us the boldness to speak, the wisdom to know what to say, and the courage to keep going even when it’s hard.

Living the Great Commission in Everyday Life

Sharing the Gospel message doesn’t always mean standing on a stage or preaching to a crowd, it happens in the little moments of everyday life. A conversation with a coworker, an encouraging word to a struggling friend, a Bible verse shared on social media… all of these can be powerful ways to point others to Jesus. The way we live our Christian life speaks just as loudly as our words, and when people see Christ’s love in us, their hearts become open to hearing about Him.

You don’t have to be a Bible scholar or have all the answers to make an impact. Simply showing kindness, offering to pray for someone, or sharing how God has worked in your own life can open doors for conversations about salvation. God placed you exactly where you are for a reason, and He will use your obedience, no matter how small it may seem, to bring others closer to Him.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NKJV

Every act of love and faithfulness reflects the light of Christ, drawing lost people to Him. When we live with purpose and boldness, we show God’s grace in a world that desperately needs His hope.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Fulfilling Our Purpose

Let’s be honest… most of us have felt unequipped to share our faith at some point. We wonder if we’ll have the right words or if we’ll say something wrong. But Jesus never intended for us to fulfill the Great Commission on our own. He gave us the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen, and empower us every step of the way.

The Holy Ghost is our Helper, equipping us with everything we need to share the Gospel with confidence. He gives us the words to say when we’re unsure, softens hearts to receive His message, and emboldens us to step out in faith, even when we feel unqualified. We don’t have to fear rejection or worry about getting it all perfect, because it’s not about us, it’s about Him working through us.

​For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.
Luke 12:12 NKJV

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Instead of relying on our own abilities, we can trust the Holy Spirit to lead us in every conversation. When we pray for His guidance and listen for His prompting, He’ll open doors and give us the courage to walk through them. No matter where God calls us to share His love, He will equip us with everything we need.

God’s Hand in Fulfilling His Purpose Through Us

We are never alone in the mission Jesus gave us. The promise of His presence is seen throughout the Bible, reminding us that God’s hand is guiding us every step of the way. He doesn’t ask us to fulfill the Great Commission in our own strength, He equips us, strengthens us, and places the right people in our path at just the right time.

Think about the moments when someone shared God’s love with you. It wasn’t by accident, God orchestrated that encounter. And now, He wants to use you in the same way to reach others. When we pray for divine appointments, He is faithful to open doors, bring the right words to our hearts, and prepare others to receive His truth.

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.
Psalm 18:35 NKJV

God’s hand is not only guiding us but also holding us up as we step out in faith. He surrounds us with His strength and mercy, shielding us when we feel weak and lifting us when we stumble. With His gentle hand leading the way, we can walk boldly in our purpose, knowing He is making us strong for the work He has called us to do.

Fulfilling the Great Commission: A Lifelong Process

In this Matthew 28:18-20 Devotional, we’ve seen that while other people are worried about their place in life, we can rest easy. Our loving Heavenly Father has already given us the answers to the most pressing questions we face. What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? And what is our purpose? We now know that we were created for His glory, and our purpose is to share Him with everyone we meet.

Fulfilling the Great Commission isn’t just a single moment of obedience… it’s a lifelong process of walking with Christ and sharing His truth wherever we go. This is the abundant life God has called us to, a life spent loving others and pointing them to Jesus.

I’m so excited to bring this Bible study to you this week, and I pray that it encourages you as you step into your personal mission field, wherever that may be! There are so many lost people in our lives who need Christ Jesus, and He has placed you right where you are for a reason. May the God of hope guide you as you fulfill the Great Commission!

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