God’s Divine Plan Crucial Then, Crucial Now

Mat 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. (17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. (18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Humor: Once a pastor was frustrated because his church seemed dead and unenthusiastic. He attended a pastor’s conference for encouragement. The keynote speaker suggests sitting down quietly and creating suspense. Speak on the second coming of Christ. Then stand to the pulpit and raise your hand and shout some single statement, such as “Behold, He cometh!” to get their attention.

So, he decided to do that the following Sunday. He practiced on the way home, “Behold He Cometh! Behold He Cometh!” When Sunday morning came, he sat quietly in his chair until everyone was silent. Then he stood, raised his hand, he realized he had forgotten his line. So, instead he said, “Behold I cometh!” The congregation sat up quickly. It worked so well; he tried it again. Taking a few steps back, he approached the pulpit with more enthusiasm, raised his voice and said, “Behold I Cometh!” He heard a few “Amens.” So, it worked so well, he tried it again. This time te takes several steps back, charges the pulpit, raise his hand, and shouted, “BEHOLD I COMETH!!”

Suddenly, he tumbled over the pulpit and into the arms of a sweet little old lady. Embarrassed, he stood up and said, “I’m so sorry, I’m so embarrassed.” She replied, “No, it’s my fault, you told me you were coming three times and I just sat there.”

Personal: Beans and Taters! Grew up, and drifted aways, forgot how much I loved them. Much like churches, pastors, Christians today, looking for something new and different. Sometimes it’s OK, but don’t forget what got us here!

INTRODUCTION:

Today, we are living in, pastor and church leaders are always looking for a way to improve their ministries. Some tend to look outside the Bible and turn to worldly ideas. We seem to forget that the plan we should follow is God’s not ours! If God gave it, then it is the best. We know that if it worked in the day it was delivered, it will work today.

In this message I want to challenge the listener that if the plan of Jesus was correct and crucial when it was delivered, then it is crucial today!

PICTURE IT BACK THEN: IT WAS A CRUCIAL TIME

Think about the mood of the day in the life of the Disciples. It was bad, really bad!

Jesus had been crucified. His large crowds dispersed. The world had turned against them.

The Disciples remember the words of Christ, but they were not too anxious to follow the Commands.

This is later pointed out when Christ upbraided them for not believing.

What is it like today?

It seems we are losing in the Political Field!

It seems we are losing in the Medical Field!

It seems we are losing in the Ministry Field!

There are times in every Christian’s life we may ask questions like:

“What’s the use?” “Who am I?” “What can I do?”

“Is what I’m doing going to make a difference?”

“If I’m doing God’s will and following Him, why do I not see more results?”

We can come up with a million and one reasons, or excuses as to why we can’t do what Christ commands:

I’m too old. Too uneducated! Not Talented!

I’m too dumb. Too backward! Not eloquent!

I’m too bashful. Too poor! Not trained!

Quote: “Jesus never promised us that in all things we would be successful- but He did command us to HIM to always be faithful!”

The Disciples were commanded by Christ to meet-

At a specific place and time, and He expected them to be Faithful.

Jesus knew all about the difficulties, for he had prewarned them!

Jesus had a plan, He needed them to be focused. His plan was important!

IT WAS CRUCIAL! The world depended on them!

PICTURE IT NOW: If it was CRUCIAL THEN, IT IS CRUCIAL NOW!

They did what He commanded and were bless because of it.

I. THE MEETING (vss. 16-18)

(16) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. (17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. (18) And Jesus came and spake unto them,

Jesus appeared to the disciples in Jerusalem after His resurrection.