What Now?

In this concluding message of his 86-part series on the Gospel of Matthew, Chuck Swindoll focuses on the Great Commission, challenging believers to move beyond merely studying the Bible to letting the Bible go through them. Opening with a poignant legend about a conversation between the angel Gabriel and Jesus, Swindoll illustrates that Christ has “no other plan” for reaching the world than through His disciples. If they fail to share the message, there is no “Plan B” [1, 12–17].

Swindoll examines Matthew 28:16–20, noting that Jesus entrusted this global mission to “very ordinary people” who possessed no halos, uniforms, or seminary degrees. He points out that when the disciples met the resurrected Jesus on the mountain, they worshipped Him, yet “some of them doubted.” This honest inclusion by Matthew encourages modern believers, proving that perfect faith is not a prerequisite for being used by God [26–32].

The core of the message dissects the command to “make disciples,” identifying it as the main verb of the commission, supported by the actions of going, baptizing, and teaching. Swindoll emphasizes that while the mission is intense and non-negotiable (“all nations”), the methods must remain flexible to reach different cultures effectively [35–39]. The sermon concludes with the haunting story of the “Life-Saving Station,” a parable about a rescue outpost that slowly evolved into a comfortable social club, eventually refusing to save the drowning victims it was built to rescue. Swindoll leaves the listener with a piercing question: Are we running a life-saving station, or have we settled for running a club? [51–61].

Message Key Facts:

• The “Plan B” Legend: Swindoll shares a legend where Gabriel asks Jesus, “What if Peter and James and John… grow weary?” and the message doesn’t spread. Jesus replies, “I have no other plan.” This highlights the immense responsibility placed on the church to evangelize [15–17].
• Ordinary Disciples: Swindoll stresses that we must stop imagining the disciples as “super spiritual human beings” with halos. They were fearful, guilty of wrong conclusions, and prone to doubt, yet they were the ones Jesus commissioned [27–32].
• The Grammar of the Commission: In Matthew 28:19, the main command is not “go,” but “Make Disciples.” The other actions—going, baptizing, and teaching—are the means by which disciples are made [35–36].
• The Four “Alls”: Swindoll notes the repetition of the word “all” to show the scope of Jesus’ authority and mission:
  1. All authority (in heaven and earth).
  2. All the nations (the scope of the mission).
  3. All the commands (the content of the teaching).
  4. All the days (“I am with you always”).
• Mission vs. Method: Jesus was intense about the mission (it must be done) but flexible regarding the method (how it is done). Swindoll argues that we must be willing to adapt our approach—whether to intellectuals, athletes, prisoners, or different cultures—to communicate the Gospel effectively.
• Vision 195: Swindoll mentions “Vision 195,” a ministry goal based on the State Department’s list of 195 nations, affirming the desire to reach every single one of them.
• The Life-Saving Station: A story used to warn the church against “mission drift.” A crude hut dedicated to saving shipwreck victims was improved and decorated until the members became upset when “dirty, wet, half-drowned” people messed up their new furniture. They eventually voted to stop life-saving operations entirely [52–58].

Message References:

• Matthew 28:16–20: The primary text, containing the Great Commission, the assertion of Jesus’ authority, and the promise of His presence [4–5].
• Matthew 28:17: “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful”.
• Matthew 28:18: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on Earth”.
• Matthew 28:20: “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”.

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll