Sermon: Embracing the Great Commission
Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20 “Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Introduction: After the resurrection, Jesus showed himself to many witnesses for forty days. Matthew does not mention Jesus’ appearances as revealed in John and Luke’s account, but Matthew moves us to the final appearance of Jesus, the place where it all began. The meeting of our Savior and his apostles upon a mountain in Galilee, was an appointed and general meeting place. The mountain was near Capernaum, where he preached that famous sermon, The sermon on the mount. This meeting was designed to confirm the faith of all his disciples about the certainty of his resurrection and commission them to continue His great work. Possibly our Lord appointed this place in Galilee, so far from Jerusalem, that his disciples might without danger come to see their Savior alive again and receive a final charge before his ascension.
This crowd was massive, more than 500 persons waiting to see Jesus. This is the same famous appearance St. Paul speaks of in 1Co. 15:6, “When he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once.” Matthew said, “And those who saw him worshipped him, but some doubted.” Some believe and worship, but others doubted. Note, even today among those that worship there are always some that doubt. There are those who are sincere, yet their faith may be very weak and wavering. All are welcomed to come. Jesus is not afraid of doubters. The word doubted means they hung in suspense, as a fluctuating weight on a scale. Hopefully, these doubts were removed afterward, and their faith grew up to a full assurance. Just as the eleven disciples doubted before they believed; so some in the crowd first questioned, and examined all things, and after being convinced held fast that which was true. This text reminds us that in every crowd there will be some doubters. Their doubts cannot undermine the truth. We all must learn to embrace the truth and drive doubt into a corner. There will always be things that we cannot explain; and things that we do not know. Let’s stick to what we know. We believe and our faith has been satisfied, and we view Jesus Christ as God in human form. That knowledge engages the soul to worship him. Divine worship is due to Christ because of his divine nature. The moment we realize who Jesus really is, worship is in order. Hab 2:20 “But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.” When we come to him and recognize him, we worship him.
1. Believers Worship Him. Matthew 28:16-17 “Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!”
The eleven disciples had met Jesus on several occasions after His resurrection. On the road to Emmaus, in the Upper Room, by the Sea of Galilee, He had broke bread with them, eat with them and breathe on them and they knew him. Maybe the doubters had only heard their testimony, but now they see him for themselves. I am amazed that Jesus spends no time talking about the doubters. He does not complain about them or try to reason with them. Jesus knows that these believers are here to honor him and to hear his instructions for them. Some are guilty of being distracted by the doubters, those who are absent, those who are not worshipping, and the like. Jesus gave his attention to the believers. There will always be some perplexed, some confused and some doubting. It was that way in Jesus’ hometown, on the day of Pentecost, and even at Stephen’s sermon. I can’t explain it or understand it, but Jesus concentrated on the worshippers. Believers worship! Then no longer speaking in parables, but in plain language, Jesus speaks of his unlimited authority.
2. Believers Receive Confirmation. Matthew 28:18 “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”
When Mary held His feet to worship Him after the resurrection, Jesus said, let me go for I have not yet ascended to my Father. Now things have changed. Believers received confirmation two ways: first Jesus received their worship. He affirms that He is more than a teacher, a prophet, or an angel, they do not receive worship. Only God is due worship. Secondly, Jesus confirms the extent of authority. All authority, both power and ability has been given unto me. I have the right to dispense it, set the boundaries and limitations of that authority. This authority covers the kingdom reign in Heaven and on earth. I am who I said I am and Can do what I said I can do. I am positioned to give authority, commission agents, and uphold them in carrying out their assignments. Believers worship Him and Receive Confirmation from Him.
3. Believers are Commissioned By Him. Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
There are believers who worship him and receive confirmation from Him who fail to embrace the commission given by him. There are more than 500 brethren gathered on the mountain being commissioned to go and do the work, yet few embrace the call or recognize the scope of the call. The disciples thought it was only for the Jews, and believers think it is only for the clergy. The good news is for all, and all believers are called.
Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations. There are several things to be noticed: (1) Go, implies an aggressive warfare. The Gospel army must move upon all nations. The Lord seeks a universal Kingdom, and sends forth his armies to conquer the world. Every church and every disciple must understand that they have marching orders. (2) Not only is every saint commanded to go, or to take steps to make the gospel go, but the object is stated. They are to make disciples, or pupils, and scholars of Christ; not great philosophers, but "babes in Christ Jesus" [1Co 3:1], who have entered the school of Christ and are to be taught afterwards. (3) Who are to be made disciples is next indicated. Not the Jews only, but all nations. Christ came to be the Savior of the world. His is a universal kingdom.
In the Great Commission he looks beyond Judea, and commands that the Gospel shall be offered to all nations. (4) It is next stated how disciples shall be made. Baptizing them. Those who believe upon him should be formally enlisted and enrolled in the school of Christ through baptism. It is not a baptism of the Spirit that he means, because it is one that those whom he addresses are commanded to administer. He alone baptized with the Spirit; his apostles and disciples baptized in water, and the community of faith should baptize them with love. Converts were to be baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus gave this command before the Church was organized or ordinations were given. Jesus gave this command before the church had creed and formulas, titles and positions, clergy and laity. Every believer who worship, every believer who received the confirmation and know who he is, and every believer who received the commission should go and commanded to go.
Ask any Christian about the biblical basis for missions, and most of them will point to Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations.” These famous last words from Matthew 28 comprise what we know as the Great Commission. “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV).
When we look closely at this passage, we see Jesus uses almost the same word four different times: the word all. Consider the four “alls” of Christ’s commission: “All authority” To go to “all nations” To communicate “all his teaching” and Empowered by his presence “all the time” (translated always) Don’t miss the claims — they’re Bible basics, but they’re enormous! Jesus claims to have all authority in the universe to lead us on this journey. He claims that his teaching is the most important thing in life to follow. Therefore, he claims that all nations need to know his teaching. And last but not least, he claims that he will be with us for all time.
Massive claims, and in the literal sense, incredible — you can’t believe them unless Jesus is God. “If Jesus Christ is who He said He was, then we cannot respond to Him mildly” (Tim Keller, The Reason For God). Pause for a moment and soak in this Great Commission passage. Let the four “alls” speak peace to your heart. Jesus spoke these words to give us a task and to give us courage in the task. The Great Commission isn’t about marketing Jesus. No matter how eloquently you proclaim the good news, it’s about embracing the assignment and moving out in faith trusting in His Power. These “alls” remind us that the burden isn’t on our ability, but in our obedience to the One with all authority. What is on us, however, is the obligation to obey Jesus’ command.
The Great Commission is your commission. Many people look for confirmation in a special calling. But Jesus didn’t just call some of his followers to his mission. Rather, he called them to himself first and sent them all on mission. If you’re walking with Jesus, this Great Commission command is incumbent upon all believers. Every disciple must be a disciple-maker, whether God sends you down the street or around the world. As you go, to school, to work, to the grocery store, and to the gym, live and love like Jesus. Be confident in his authority. Teach his commands. Abide in his presence. Proclaiming His message with your presence, proclamation, and service knowing you are not alone. All believers worship Him, receive confirmation about who is, and are commissioned by him to go. Jesus instructs the corporate body to make disciples of non-believers, baptize them, and teach them God's ways. Only then will we see more people in fellowship, more people educated in the truth, and more people praising God. When this happens God will receive greater glory.
