This week at 3C South Coast, Ps Larry Elliott continued the Go series with a message that brought the Great Commission right into ordinary, daily life. Jesus did not call us to sit back and simply enjoy church. He called us to go, make disciples, baptise and teach.
The message carried urgency, but not fear. It felt more like a loving wake-up call. People are searching. Nations are shaking. Truth is being diluted. In a time like this, the Church cannot stand still or stay silent.
“Therefore He says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’”
Ephesians 5:14
Ps Larry reminded us that every believer carries influence. You may not preach behind a pulpit, but you still lead someone. Your family, workplace, school, connect group, and daily conversations all become places where discipleship can happen.
“You are not just blessed to be blessed. You are blessed to become a blessing.”
That one line says so much. Once we understand it, we stop asking only, “What can I receive?” and begin asking, “Lord, who can I help follow You?”
Baptism Is a Public Yes to Jesus
Ps Larry spoke clearly about water baptism. Baptism is not a religious extra for “later one day”. It is the first public act of obedience after salvation. It is a visible declaration that Jesus is Lord of your life.
Baptism says, “I belong to Jesus now.”
Not to a denomination, church system, or to a religious label. You belong to Christ.
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Galatians 3:27
That is powerful. Baptism is not about joining an institution. It is about identifying with Jesus — His death, His burial, His resurrection, and His life.
Ps Larry described baptism as both a funeral and a resurrection. The old life goes under the water. The new life rises in Christ.
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death… even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:3–4
This is why baptism carries weight. It is not just a moment in a service. It is a statement of surrender.
My old life is finished.
Self-rule is over.
My independence is buried.
I now live for Christ.
Jesus Himself was baptised. Not because He needed repentance, but because He came to fulfil righteousness. At His baptism, the Father spoke, the Spirit descended, and the Son stood in obedience.
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17
If Jesus is our model, then baptism matters.
“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.”
Matthew 28:19
Teaching Is Not Just Explaining
The second part of the message moved into teaching. And this is where the Great Commission becomes very practical.
When Jesus said, “teach them,” He was not only talking about sermons, Bible school, or formal lessons. Teaching is life-on-life. It is guiding someone, coaching them, walking with them, and showing them what obedience looks like in real situations.
Sometimes teaching happens across a table, sometimes in the car. Teaching happens when a parent corrects a child, a leader checks in, or when a believer shares honestly about a mistake and what God taught them through it.
Even painful experiences can become teachable moments when they are surrendered to God. The enemy may have meant it for shame, but God can turn it into wisdom that helps someone else avoid the same trap.
“You cannot lead someone to a place you are not willing to go yourself.”
That line is worth sitting with. Teaching begins with doing.
We cannot teach forgiveness while refusing to forgive. More so, we cannot teach faith while living in fear. And we certainly can’t teach surrender while still fighting God for control.
Jesus said:
“Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…”
Matthew 28:20
That word observe matters. It speaks of keeping, guarding, watching, and obeying. So the goal of teaching is not just information. The goal is obedience.
The Word Must Reach the Way We Live
Ps Larry took us to Joshua, where God told him to be strong, courageous, and careful to live according to the Word.
“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you… This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night…”
Joshua 1:7–8
That is the rhythm of a disciple: hear the Word, meditate on the Word, and live the Word.
The Word of God is not meant to sit untouched in a notebook after Sunday. It must shape our reactions on Monday. It must affect how we speak at home, how we respond under pressure, and how quickly we forgive when we are hurt.
James says it plainly:
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”
James 1:19–20
Quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to get angry. That alone could heal so many conversations.
Most of us want to explain ourselves quickly. Defend ourselves quickly. React quickly. But discipleship slows us down long enough for the Word of God to govern our hearts.
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
James 1:21
That phrase, the implanted word, is beautiful. God’s Word is not just something we hear. It is something He plants inside us. As we receive it with humility, it begins to save, restore, and reshape the soul.
Don’t Just Listen. Do It.
James does not leave much room for excuses.
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
James 1:22
God loves us too much to let us be informed but unchanged. A true disciple is a lifelong learner, yes, but also a lifelong doer. We keep growing and adjusting. Every day, we allow the Word to correct us.
That is how we move from information to transformation.
Ps Larry reminded us that disciples are not just informed; they are transformed. The Word changes how we think, directs how we live, and produces obedience. Over time, that obedience creates a culture of godliness in us.
Then we carry that atmosphere wherever we go.
Discipleship Happens in Family
We do not do this alone. Discipleship happens in spiritual family.
“And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up… to love and helpful deeds and noble activities.”
Hebrews 10:24 AMPC
That is a strong picture of church life. We watch over one another. Stir one another toward love. We encourage one another to keep going.
This connects beautifully with last week’s Mother’s Day recap, “Behold Thy Mother, Behold Thy Son”, where Ps Mandy reminded us that spiritual family is formed near the cross. This week, Ps Larry reminded us that spiritual family also helps us grow into obedience.
If you have not yet given your life to Jesus, start there. Pray, repent, believe, and follow Him. You can use this simple salvation prayer as a first step of faith.
Why not learn more about 3C South Africa and our new family of churches?
For Cell Group Leaders
This week, help your group talk honestly about obedience. Some may need courage to take the step of water baptism. Others may realise they have been hearing the Word but not doing it.
Ask:
- Who helped you take your first steps as a disciple of Jesus?
- Have you been water baptised since giving your life to Christ?
- Where is God asking you to move from knowing the Word to obeying it?
- Who could you encourage, guide, or teach this week?
Pray for courage, teachable hearts, healed reactions, and homes shaped by the Word of God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling us into Your mission. Help us obey, not delay. Give us courage to be baptised, humility to be taught, and love to walk with others.
Let Your Word shape our hearts, homes, and daily lives, so that wherever we go, people see You.
In your mighty Name
Amen.
