Series: Through The Eyes Of Jesus [#6]
THE GREAT COMMISSION THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS
Matthew 28:16-20
Introduction:
Today is the 5th Sunday of Easter. On this Thursday, the ascension of Jesus is celebrated. Next Sunday, we will study about the ascension of Jesus; but today we are going to look at “The Great Commission”.
Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 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."
Jesus saw…
1. Followers.
The 11 Disciples went to Galilee and to the mountain where Jesus told them to meet Him at. They were still listening to Jesus and doing what He asked them to do; but they weren’t sure why. Why do you follow Jesus? I think we all have times in our lives that we are trying to follow Jesus; but we really aren’t sure how that’s going to end up.
Jesus saw…
2. Worshippers.
As soon as they saw Jesus, they worshipped Him. They knew that Jesus had victory over sin, death, Satan, and Hell. They knew that He was the Son of God; and yet they were still not sure what they were supposed to do.
Jesus saw…
3. Doubters.
Preachers are always told to save the most positive point for last; but I’m not going to do that today. It says that after they showed up, saw Jesus, and worshiped him; that some doubted. Doubted? They were standing and spending time with the Savior of the World and they doubted? What in the world would they be doubting? I really thought about this and then it hit me- I do this all of the time. My doubt is not about Jesus; but about how I’m going to respond to Him.
Conclusion:
Now I know, that this isn’t the typical Great Commission sermon; but I want you to notice what these 11 men were struggling with. They felt inadequate. They felt like failures. They weren’t sure what they were supposed to do. Jesus knew what they were dealing with. Jesus knew that there would be many others who would follow Him; but weren’t sure what to do after that. That’s why He gave us the Great Commission.
There are some who claim that the Great Commission was given only to the 11 Apostles; but if that is true, then the promise of “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" was only for them also. If you want the promise at the end to apply to you, then the command also applies to you.
Here is Jesus’ instructions to us:
? Make disciples from all people.
It doesn’t matter where they live. It doesn’t matter if they are rich or poor, black or white, or important or unknown. All people need to be led to Jesus.
? Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Did you notice that Jesus didn’t say that only preachers could baptize people? The need for them to be baptized isn’t because baptism saves you; but because it is the 1st act of obedience a Christian can have. If baptism was a part of salvation, then why was Jesus baptized? Baptism is an outward example of an inward experience.
? Teach them to obey the Word of God.
You must notice that Jesus said to obey everything He commanded us to do. Not only did He say everything; but He also said that we are commanded to do it. That means that obeying the Word of God is not optional or a suggestion; but is a command of our Savior.
To know that Jesus will be with me every day and every moment forever and ever is the most comforting thing that I can hear.
Invitation:
Here in just a few minutes, we are going to celebrate Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection through the Lord’s Supper; but before we do, we need to examine our lives.
