The Jesus Message For The Globe
Matthew 28:16-20
Introduction
Matthew’s account of the post-resurrection Jesus includes the exciting vision of Jesus to reach the entire world with the news of the Gospel.
Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 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.”
The mission and message of Jesus did not end at the cross!
“There is no higher calling or greater privilege known to man than being involved in helping fulfill the Great Commission.” -Bill Bright
For the next few weeks, we want to follow the development of the Jesus Message and find out how the Jesus Message resonates in our lives today. The first thing Jesus tells us about the Jesus Message is that it is for the Globe! It is a global message for humanity!
1. WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT THE MESSAGE
*It is an Authoritative Message “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
This is our calling as the Jesus People - to follow the teachings of our Risen Savior. We can trust the words and teachings of Jesus because He is the authority for our daily lives. This is expressive of the Lordship of Christ.
*It is an Action Message “Therefore go …”
Go is a little word with a big meaning! Go love what Jesus loves: People! Go and never stop going! Too often the church is perceived as a place to receive - but Jesus sends us out into the world - into the mission field.
*It is a Discipleship Message “and make disciples…”
A Disciple is a learner, a student. Making disciples is an ongoing effort to help people see Jesus as Lord and learn from Him about life, death, and eternity. We are talking to real people with real lives … real opinions … real experiences … and that is an awesome responsibility. We are asking people to give up their lives for the One who gave his life for them. Just like we did.
It is a Global Message “… of all nations”
John Stott: We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God." Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Zambia, Honduras, the US, the SouthEast, Louisiana, Ouachita Parish - everywhere you can imagine is the mission field. William Carey “To know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map.” The last thing Jesus said before the ascension - Acts 1:8 “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
It is a Saving Message “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
We are to tell people about the Good News of Jesus, the desire He has to take away their sins and give them a new life. There is no grander purpose … we are to be consumed with this purpose. As we follow the spreading flame through the book of Acts we see thousands of people coming to Jesus and being baptized. Our mission is not baptisms - our mission is helping people come to know Jesus and responding to him as He has requested!
It is an Ongoing message “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” We never stop learning from Jesus - we keep on growing. We never stop teaching about Jesus - helping people know Him.
It is an Empowered message “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Five Realities:
1. Motivation - The Lord we love is with us always, we should be about His work.
2. Power - Jesus is alive and He is at work?
3. Unity - Our common bond is the blood of Jesus. We should work together for the common cause.?
4. Purpose - This is not for someone else, it's for me!?
5. Assurance - we're doing this God's way??
G. It is a Gospel Message - The Good News that Everyone Needs to Hear!
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
The Gospel is placed in very human hands. Matthew 28:17 "When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted."
Hudson Taylor: God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him.
2. WHAT DO WE DO TODAY?
Walk Into An Unfamiliar World. We cannot give up on people that God still believes in! Build Bridges to the people you come in contact with - helping them grow closer to Jesus. Jesus was the friend of sinners (Matthew 11:19).
Look For The Open Hearts Nearby. It’s easy to find people who do not care about Jesus. It takes more insight to discover those who have open hearts and who are ready to receive Christ into their lives.
Go and make disciples…We can’t do this if our first move is to condemn. I saw a banner at a church “Love first, ask questions later.”
Follow God’s Lead. We are mistaken if we think that we are in this alone. Perhaps there is someone in your circle of friends now looking for more in their life. You are the answer to a seeker’s prayer!
Conclusion
1. Dallas Willard “The Great Commission is still the mission statement of the Church.”
2. Revelation 3:20 LSB "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”
3. When Jesus rises from the tomb, he meets with the disciples and gives them these great words of mission that tell us that the Jesus message is for every person on the globe. Will you receive it today? Will you tell it today?
___________________
To receive sermon notes in your email inbox, subscribe here:
https://forsythesermons.substack.com/
To receive emails from John Dobbs on topics of faith, books, photography, and miscellany:
https://johndobbs.substack.com/
To watch videos of sermons from Forsythe Church of Christ:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ForsytheChurchofChrist
Our church website is http://facoc.org
___________________
