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.
Jesus gave specific orders. He expected obedience.
Ref: Lk. 24:45-48, Acts 1:7-11; John 20:19-23
Jesus appeared to the disciples in Jerusalem after His resurrection.
Jesus told the disciples to meet Him on a mountain in Galilee.
Galilee was 90 miles north.
Walking 90 miles was difficult and challenging.
Jesus could have ascended from Jerusalem, but in God’s wisdom, Galilee was the place.
II. THE MANDATE: IT’S A CRUCIAL TIME TODAY!
(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:
The Scene Today: The world is in a mess! God’s specialty!
With all that is going on in the world politically, it’s hard!
With all that is going on in the world culturally, it’s hard!
With all that is going on in the world economically, it’s hard!
With all that is going on in the world medically, it’s hard!
Nothing takes God by surprise! God still expects us to be faithful!
Obedience may be difficult.
Obedience may be challenging.
God knows better than us.
His will is not always revealed before we obey.
But our obedience is expected, despite the circumstances.
Abraham: Didn’t know where to go. God said, “I will show you!”
Moses: Didn’t know what to say. “God said, “I will tell you!”
Joshua: Didn’t know what to do! “God said, “I will do it for you!”
Jerimiah: Didn’t have a new message, or seron! God said, “Keep preaching!
Paul: Didn’t have the men, the money, the means, or the messages. God said, “I will supply all your needs… Glory!”
The list goes on!
Obedience puts us in a position where we can be used by God.
The disciples obeyed Jesus.
And they got to hear Jesus make monumental statements.
Jesus gave specific orders and expected obedience.
The disciples’ obedience was expected, despite the circumstances.
Jesus expects our obedience no matter the circumstances.
Sometimes obeying Jesus, in our minds, might not make much sense.
IT WAS CRUCIAL! The world depended on them!
Can you see how crucial His message was?
NOTE: If it was CRUCIAL THEN, IT IS CRUCIAL NOW!
III. THE MESSAGE:
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.
Not: Go and build buildings! Not create programs! Bake sales! Yard sales!
Not seek out a professional CEO! Like Walmart or McDonalds!
IT WAS A CRUCIAL MESSAGE THEN!
Message to all Christians!
Message to all Churches!
We must certainly know…
It’s not Mohammed!
It’s not Budda!
It’s not good works!
It’s not the Golden Rule!
It’s not religion!
It’s Jesus, and Jesus alone!
Regardless of Talents, treasures, or time!
The CRUCIAL MESSAGE: “Four” statements.
Easily remembered by using a three-lettered word, “ALL”
This is known by most as the Great Commission of Christ.
1. All Power (28:18). Everything He expects us to do, He back up with His power! Power is Authority!
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
All authority is His. He’s Omnipotent! He can think and it’s done!
2. All Nations (28:19). Start with self, then family, then neighborhood, then community, then country, then world. All at the same time! Exclude no one!
All colors
All sexes
All people!
(19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, and He commissions the disciples to carry on His mission.
Jesus commissions them as His ambassadors.
Jesus commission them to go to all the world!
Jesus commissioned them to continue what He had started.
Jesus commissioned them to bring the world to Him.
3. All Commands (28:19-20). Note: Name is singular. Trinity. See Ryrie footnote.
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:
Our obedience makes us useable to God.
When we obey, we place ourselves in a place of opportunity.
To do things we could never do on our own.
To be an ambassador for Jesus Christ.
4. All Days (28:20).
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
What Jesus commands He never expects us to do on our own.
He has promised to be with us always! We are never alone!
Never Alone With Jesus
We are never alone with Jesus,
We have no reason to ever fear.
We are never alone with Jesus,
For He promised He’d always be near.
No matter where He may lead us,
No matter what problem we face,
No matter how daring the mission-
He provides His marvelous grace.
He’s closer than mother or father,
Or a sister or brother could be.
He is our greatest companion,
A constant friend is He.
He died to bring us to Him,
And His we ever shall be!
We are never alone with Jesus,
Trust in Him and you will see.
© Loyd C Taylor, July 2021
Deuteronomy 31:8 - And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5 - Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Matthew 28:20 - lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
God’s Divine Plan
THE MEETING:
Jesus met with them; He was a personal Saviour.
Has He met with you?
If so, then you are a very important part of His plan to reach others!
It was crucial then for the disciple to meet Jesus and it is crucial for all the world to do the same!
THE MANDATE
The order from the Commander and Chief was to GO!
Go with His message!
Go in His power!
It was crucial for the disciples to carry the Gospel so the world would know that Jesus saves!
If it was crucial then, it is crucial now!
THE MESSAGE
It was the Gospel!
Christ died and arose, the sin debt is paid, look to Jesus and live!
What an essential message during such a confused world!
What a critical message amid a world of rebellion and hard hearts!
What a crucial message when there are so many conflicting religious ways to God.
There was only one message, because there is only one Savior.
Jesus is the way of salvation!
It was a Crucial then, it is crucial now!
NOTE: If it was CRUCIAL THEN, IT IS CRUCIAL NOW!
CONCLUSION:
Hymn written by William A. Ogden, 1887
This Hymn summed up the Crucial Message then and it does so even today:
I’ve a message from the Lord, hallelujah! This message unto you I’ll give,
’Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah! It is only that you “look and live.”
Refrain:
“Look and live,” my brother, live, Look to Jesus now, and live;
’Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah! It is only that you “look and live.”
Disclaimer: This sermon is a collection of several sources and I claim no originality to all, only as I have tried to tailor it to develop the sermon. I have sought to acknowledge credit to whom credit is due. I hope it will bless you.
