The Great Commission
Theme: To show the importance of the Great Commission, how it is in our DNA.
Text: Matthew 28:16 – 20
Introduction
Last week we discussed the trinity. How we see the Trinity and how we view it in the Old and New Testament. We also looked at the importance of the relationship between us and the trinity. I call this an “essential” doctrine that must be part of our DNA as a Christian.
Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples (there were 12 but Judas had betrayed Jesus and committed suicide) went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.
(17) When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
How do you not, “worship Him”. He has risen from the dead. He has conquered death. How do you not worship
Jesus?
I could imagine as Thomas reviewed the scrolls he looks at Matthew and says, “Really, come on Matt. Why do you have to call me out that way?” Matthew is like, “I am just telling the story, the who story.”
(18) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
What an interesting statement. “all authority has been given”. By whom? The Father. Jesus said it over and over again.
John 5 “Jesus speaks for the Father, has authority from the Father”
John 7 “Jesus under the authority of the one who sent Him”
John 14:10 “Jesus speaks on the authority of the Father”
Acts 1:7; Daniel 7:13 – 14 (Daniel prophesied)
Matthew 9:8; so many more
Why is this important?
Does one have more authority than the other?
Does this make God the Father more powerful than Jesus?
Does it matter?
Key: All Authority.
For what?
1. To forgive sins
2. To release from debt
3. To set free.
4. To deliver from the grip of the enemy.
Where?
In heaven and in earth.
Challenge: Go
(19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Go – not just sit around.
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Jerusalem – local city
Judea – (region) state
Samaria – other regions, it is interesting here that He uses the word Samaria. As you know the Jews were not fond of Samaritans (they were called Hellenized people, those who may have been of Jewish ancestry but also adopted the Greek ways. They intermingled) There was a great divide between them as we learn from Jesus encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.
End of the Earth – around the world.
Part of our DNA as a Christian is to understand that “all can be saved”. Anyone, any race, any person.
Do what? “make disciples” As Jesus was speaking to disciples, He was basically saying, “Go and duplicate yourself.”
Disciple – a follower, one who is willing to take on the discipline of the one who is leading.
It is interesting that the KJV uses the word teach here and in the next verse also “teaching”. Yet other translations use the word disciple. The original Greek word was to “make pupils”.
So first you are to gather students of Christ then you are to teach them.
To whom? “all nations” – all people. No one is left out. Not limited to a race of people. Not limited to economics.
Baptizing them – an expected ceremony for all who believe. This brings them to a visible commitment.
Formula – in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The unity of the trinity.
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
Teaching – a set of doctrine
Observe all things I have commanded you
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
“I will never leave you nor forsake you”
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you” (Isa_43:2)
I am going to be with you, you don’t want to be without me. Look with me at the Lord’s supper as we conclude. Watch the blending of the two.
Conclusion
1 Corinthians 11:23-30 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; (24) and when He had given thanks,
When He acknowledge God. Before we take we acknowledge God. We settle our heart. This is important
Later on Paul describes people who take this without thinking
Lord’s supper: Eucharist - thanksgiving
(27) Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner (a manner with no regard to God or His sacrifice) will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (May His blood be upon your hands. May you find your own way to God since you cannot acknowledge what Jesus has done) (28) But let a man examine himself, ( evaluate, check, reconnect) and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (29) For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (Missing this sacrifice) (30) For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.
Weak – no authority or power
Sick – in sin, in life. Dealing with the anxieties of life.
Sleep – missing all the benefits of the work of Christ. Missing the healing, missing the sacrifice on the cross.
Missing the freedom. Missing the deliverance. Missing the hope. The focus in on Christ not ourselves.
He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (25) In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
Let us go out an Proclaim what Jesus has done for us.
