An Extraordinary Commission (Part 1)

I have entitled our sermon this morning, “An Extraordinary Commission,” and this is Part 1 of a two-part message. I want to begin by saying that I was raised in a small country church with a pastor who loved the Lord and His people, and proclaimed only the basics, like sin, repentance, salvation, and holiness. As a result, when I became a new Christian, my mind had not been corrupted by numerous, faithless, man-made theories; and so, the very first time I read today’s passage as a new believer, I took it at face value – and I took it to heart – believing that God still calls and empowers Christians today to do bold and amazing things in the authority and name of Jesus Christ. It is my hope that you will come away with the same conviction today. I want to invite you to stand with me in honor of God’s Word as I read Matthew chapter 10, verses 1-4 and verses 7-8:

1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him . . . 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Some Facts Emerge About Calling

This passage is referred to as “The Calling of the Twelve.” In verse 1, the twelve are called “disciples.” A disciple is simply the student of a teacher. We are all students of Jesus Christ; so, could it be that the words of this passage apply to us and to our calling today? In verse 2, the twelve are called “apostles.” The Outline of Biblical Usage defines an “apostle” as simply “a messenger” and “one sent forth with orders.”(1) So, who is to say that when Jesus speaks to us and sends us out, that our calling is any less apostolic in nature? When we piece together the accounts from Matthew, Mark and Luke some facts emerge, some of which might pertain to our own calling:(2)

1.) He Chose Them (Luke 6:13). 2.) He Called Them (Matthew 10:1). 3.) He Appointed Them (Mark 3:14). The word “appointed” (poiein) seen in Mark, can be used of “a General allocating his tasks to his commanders.”(3) 4.) They Were Called to Be with Jesus (Mark 3:14).(4) 5.) They Were Called to Be Apostles (Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13). “The word ‘apostle’ literally means ‘one who is sent out.’ It is the word [used] for an envoy or an ambassador.”(5) 6.) They Were Called to Be Heralds of Christ. In Matthew 10, verse 7, when they are commanded to preach, the word used is kerussein, which means “a herald.” The messenger is the herald of Jesus Christ, bringing the good news of the gospel.(6)

Jesus Bestows Power and Authority

In verse 1, we read that “He gave them power.” Commentator William Barclay says, “The authority of Jesus, seen in word and work, is now shown to be extended to the twelve, through whom Jesus continues and enlarges His work.”(7) In Matthew 28:18-20, we see this extension of authority in The Great Commission. Jesus said, “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.” Jesus basically said, “All authority has been given to Me, and now I am giving it to you! You have been endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). Go, therefore!”

Most of us will agree that the disciple-making initiative of The Great Commission, along with Christ’s authority, has been extended to “all believers,” and not just to the first apostles. But when considering the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 10, people will often draw the conclusion that His instructions in this passage were delivered only to the twelve. This, no doubt, has something to do with Jesus commanding them to cast out demons and heal sickness and disease. So, then, what are we to do with Mark’s version of The Great Commission? In addition to saying, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), Mark also includes the following words: “In My name they will cast out demons . . . [and] they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover” (vv. 17-18).