Introduction

Good morning, beloved family, friends, and visitors. We are here today, gathered in this sacred space, in the presence of God. We are here to learn, to grow, to find comfort and hope in His word. We are here to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to be part of His kingdom.

G.K. Chesterton once said, "The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people." It's a simple statement, but it holds so much truth. It reminds us that love is not always easy, but it is always necessary. It's a command, not a suggestion. And it's a command that comes directly from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Our scripture today comes from the book of Matthew, chapter 28, verses 18 through 20. It reads:

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"

In these verses, we find a clear call to action. A call to go out into the world, to share the love of Christ, to bring others into the fold. It's a call that echoes through the centuries, reaching us here today.

Let us pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and open minds. We ask that You guide us as we study Your word, that You help us to understand and to apply it in our own lives. We ask that You fill us with Your love, that it may overflow and touch those around us. We ask that You give us the strength to follow Your commands, even when it's hard. And we ask that You remind us, always, that You are with us, to the very end of the age. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Let's get started.

Matthew's Mandate

In the verses we've read today, we find a clear directive from Jesus. He's not just talking to his disciples of that time, but to all of us who follow Him. He's given us a job to do, a mission to fulfill. It's not a suggestion or a request. It's a mandate.

More than spreading the word of God: It's about making disciples. It's about teaching others to follow Jesus, to obey His commands. It's about bringing them into the fold, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It's about creating a community of believers, a family of faith.

Not only for the religious leaders, the pastors, the missionaries: It's for all of us. Each and every one of us has a role to play in this. We are all called to share the love of Christ, to bring others into His kingdom. We are all called to be disciples, and to make disciples.

For all nations, for all people: It's for the here and now, for our everyday lives. It's for our homes, our workplaces, our schools, our communities. It's for the people we meet on the street, the people we pass by every day.

It's a privilege: It's an honor. It's a chance to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to be part of God's plan. It's a chance to make a difference, to change lives, to bring hope and joy and love to a world that so desperately needs it.

Not easy: It requires effort, commitment, sacrifice. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to take risks, to face challenges. It requires us to love, even when it's hard, even when it hurts. It requires us to be patient, to be kind, to be forgiving. It requires us to be humble, to be selfless, to be servant-hearted.

Not impossible: Because we are not alone in this. Jesus is with us, always. He's given us His authority, His power. He's given us His Spirit, His guidance. He's given us His word, His promises. He's given us His love, His grace, His mercy. And with these, we can do all things.

Purposeful People

As we continue to reflect on the words of Matthew, we find ourselves drawn to the heart of Jesus' message ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO