"High Expectations”

Matthew 28 gives Christians the same promise that was given to Moses as they go forth under the authority of Christ to preach the gospel. Jesus Christ says, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) The King James and the New American Standard Bibles have the best translation with “I am with you always…” As God sent Moses, He sent His apostles and this promise goes on to His obedient as they teach others how to become disciples of Christ.

Obedient Christians in making disciples of Christ will have His comfort (John 16:7) and have His present help (Psalm 46:1). He will carry them through difficulties, plead their case before God, be in all their services, strengthen them in all their suffering. He will make their ministries effectual in due time. He will break down the strongholds of Satan.

The King James Bible says that Christ will be with us until “the end of the world.” As long as this dispensation continues the Lord will be with His church empowering those who are now faithfully working with the Lord. He will continue to rise up followers that will answer to the call to make disciples after we are gone. The Lord’s work will continue on and on and on until this world as we know it has passed away and the Lord makes all things new.

Even when the faithful are mistreated or cast away by persecution, Christians will steadfastly keep on. They have the heart of John Calvin who was banished from ungrateful Geneva. He wrote, “Most assuredly if I had merely served man, this would have been a poor [reward]; but it is my happiness that I have served Him who never fails to reward His servants to the full extent of His promise.”

Satan has many ways to make the servants of God think that their labors are in vain. Hebrews 11:6 says otherwise and it is a truth to be grasped. God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Count the souls that have been saved, the ministries that continue on, the many times the Lord has provided for your needs, simple answers to prayers and the fellowship that is among the believers.

Transitional Sentence: Because He is faithful, Christians can expect that He rewards those who diligently live a life of faith and seek His will for their lives. The obedient can expect to see evidence of God’s Hand working among them. Mark 10:27 says, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’"

This passage of scripture is found in the teaching of Jesus in His dealing with a young man whom Luke said was a ruler (Luke 18:18). It is a key text to bringing understanding that the salvation of a man’s soul is the work of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. In Mark 10:17-27 we read of a rich young man who came to Jesus and asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life.” (Mark 10:17) He had good morals and wealth. He kept the Ten Commandments by not committing murder, adultery, stealing, giving false testimony, nor defrauding people. He honored his father and mother. Jesus told the man he lacked one thing. He needed to sell all he had and give it to the poor and he would then have treasures in heaven. (Mark 10:21) Jesus also said, “…then come, follow Me.” (Mark 10:21) At these words of Christ, the “young man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Mark 10;2)