The Great Commission & The Great Commandment: Living in God’s Divine Order

Jesus left us with one clear mission:

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you."— Matthew 28:19-20

This is the call. The invitation. The assignment.

But before we can go, before we can teach, before we can make disciples, we have to live in the way of Jesus ourselves. And where does that begin?

Jesus tells us plainly:

"You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"— Matthew 22:37-39

This is where we begin. It’s the foundation. It’s the divine ordering of love—first for God, then for the people closest to us, then outward to the world.

And yet, if we’re honest, one of the biggest threats to actually living and loving like Jesus is our tendency to mix up these priorities. We chase influence before intimacy. We pour out for others before being filled by God. We’re busy “doing ministry” but neglect our spouse, our kids, our closest relationships.

This is not the way of Jesus.

Jesus’ life was deeply relational. His rhythm was simple: intimacy with the Father, love for His people, and mission to the world. And that’s the pattern for us too. Think of it like concentric circles of priority—where love flows from the inside out.

The Concentric Circle Model of Priorities

The way of Jesus isn’t about balancing a long to-do list. It’s about ordering our love. And that order looks like this:

1. Love the Lord (Center Circle)

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind."— Matthew 22:37-38

This is the core. The anchor. The non-negotiable. Everything in life—marriage, family, friendships, ministry, mission—flows from our relationship with God.

But here’s the tension: we often give God our leftovers. After work. After emails. After Netflix. After kids are in bed.

What if instead of trying to fit God in, we reordered our days around Him? What if we lived from a place of abidinginstead of striving?

Because here’s the truth: the only way to love others well is to be fully loved by God first. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

What this looks like in practice:

• Begin your day with God. Before picking up your phone, spend five minutes in silence with Jesus. Just sit. Breathe. Invite Him in.

• Read Scripture not just for information, but for formation. Ask, How does this shape my heart? instead of How can I use this in a sermon or Bible study?

• Sabbath weekly. One full day of rest, worship, and delight—because we were never designed to run on empty.

• Pray throughout your day. While driving. Washing dishes. Walking to a meeting. Keep an ongoing conversation with Jesus.

• Fast from distractions. Maybe it’s social media. Maybe it’s Netflix. Create space to hear God’s voice.

When we are deeply connected to the Father, love overflows naturally.

2. Love Your Spouse (The Next Circle)

"Live with your wife in an understanding way."— 1 Peter 3:7

"Every good and perfect gift is from above."— James 1:17

Your spouse is your nearest neighbor. The one person you vowed to love “for better or worse.” And yet, in the name of “ministry” or “serving others,” marriage is often neglected, running on fumes instead of fullness.

But here’s the thing: a thriving marriage isn’t a side project. It’s part of your spiritual formation.

When Paul talks about marriage in Ephesians 5, he isn’t just giving relationship advice—he’s saying marriage is a picture of the gospel. The way you love your spouse is a reflection of Christ’s love for the church.

What this looks like in practice:

• Choosing presence over productivity—learning to slow down, actually listen, and engage.

• Pray together daily. Not just over meals, but intentionally—holding hands, seeking God together.

• Schedule a weekly date night. No ministry, no talk about bills, no distractions—just uninterrupted connection.

• Speak words of life. Instead of focusing on what they do wrong, affirm what you see God doing in them.

• Practice small, daily acts of love. A random “I appreciate you” text. A cup of coffee made just the way they like. A hug that lingers.

• Fight well. Conflict is inevitable, but instead of withdrawing or attacking, commit to listening and seeking resolution with humility.

Your spouse is not your distraction from ministry. They are your ministry.

3. Love Your Children, Family, and Close Friends

"Children are a gift from the Lord."— Psalm 127:3

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."— Proverbs 27:17

After your relationship with Jesus and your spouse, your next priority is your family and close friends—the people entrusted to you by God.

But let’s be real. This is where things get messy. Kids require patience. Extended family can be complicated. Close friendships take intentionality.

And yet, the people in this circle shape who we are. This is where discipleship begins—not in a church building, but around the dinner table.

What this looks like in practice:

• Eat meals together. Phones off. No distractions. Just face-to-face time with those closest to you.

• Create intentional traditions. Game nights, Sunday walks, bedtime prayers—things that anchor relationships in love.

• Show up. Be at the soccer game. The birthday party. The hard conversation. Let them know they matter.

• Speak identity into your kids. Instead of just correcting behavior, call out the gifts and character you see in them.

• Be a safe place. When they fail, when they’re struggling—be the one they can come to without fear of judgment.

4. Love in Community (The Church)

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."— John 13:34-35

"Entrust these things to faithful people who will be able to teach others also."— 2 Timothy 2:2

The next circle is the community of faith—the people we do life with, serve with, and grow alongside. This isn’t just about showing up on Sunday. This is about being a family.

The early church wasn’t just an event. It was a shared life—eating together, praying together, meeting needs.

And here’s the reality: you can’t truly grow as a follower of Jesus outside of community. We were made for deep, committed relationships.

What this looks like in practice:

• Moving from attender to participant—actually investing in relationships.

• Serve consistently. Not out of obligation, but as an act of love—whether it’s kids’ ministry, hospitality, or leading worship.

• Encourage someone weekly. A text. A handwritten note. A simple “Hey, I see what you’re doing, and it matters.”

• Be real. No masks, no pretending. Let people into your struggles and joys.

• Carry one another’s burdens. Whether it’s a financial need, a hospital visit, or just showing up, be the kind of friend that walks through the fire with people.

• Being the kind of friend you wish you had.

The church is not a place you go; it’s a people you belong to.

5. Love on Mission (The Outer Circle)

"We were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives."— 1 Thessalonians 2:8

"There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."— Acts 4:12

The outermost circle is the world—the lost, the hurting, the unreached. This is where we live out the Great Commission.

But here’s what’s radical: mission isn’t just for pastors or overseas missionaries. It’s for everyone.

• Your workplace is a mission field.

• Your neighborhood is a mission field.

• The coffee shop you go to every week is a mission field.

Jesus didn’t call us to make converts; He called us to make disciples—people who walk in the way of Jesus and teach others to do the same.

What this looks like in practice:

• Living a life that preaches louder than words.

• Look for opportunities to serve. Buy groceries for a struggling family. Pay for the coffee of the person behind you.

• Be a neighbor. Invite people into your home. Host a meal. Build relationships that go beyond small talk.

• Share your faith naturally. Not with pressure, but with authenticity—talk about Jesus like He’s actually part of your life.

• Be present in your community. Join the PTA, coach Little League, volunteer—live missionally in the everyday spaces of life.

• Pray for the lost by name. Keep a list of people you’re praying for and watch what God does.

Living in God’s Divine Order

This is the invitation: to reorder our lives the way Jesus intended—with love flowing outward from intimacy with God, not inward from burnout and exhaustion.

Because when our lives are rightly ordered, mission becomes natural, not forced. Love becomes abundant, not scarce. And the world sees Jesus through us.

May we be a people who live and love in His divine order. Amen.