Introduction

Good morning, friends! Today, we're diving into a powerful passage of Scripture that beautifully captures the heart of Jesus' mission and purpose for His followers. We'll explore the authority of Jesus, the Great Commission, and the call to make disciples.

In his book, "The Cost of Discipleship,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, "Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ." This quote serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being not just believers in Jesus, but also committed followers who actively participate in His mission.

"Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ." —Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Authority of Jesus

The Authority of Jesus is a central theme in the passage we just read, and it is crucial to understand its significance in order to fully grasp the power and beauty of the Great Commission.

Let’s talk about the source of Jesus' authority. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." This statement reveals that Jesus' authority is not something He possesses by His own efforts or achievements, but rather, it is a gift bestowed upon Him by the Father.

This is consistent with other passages in Scripture that emphasize the divine origin of Jesus' authority. For example, in John 3:35, we read, "The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands." Similarly, in Philippians 2:9-11, Paul writes that because of Jesus' obedience and humility, "God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Understanding the divine source of Jesus' authority is essential because it underscores the fact that His authority is absolute and unassailable. No human ruler, institution, or power can challenge or undermine the authority that has been given to Jesus by the Father.

As the Apostle Paul declares in Colossians 2:10, "In Christ, you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority." This truth should bring us great comfort and confidence as we seek to follow Jesus and participate in His mission.

Now let’s move on to the scope of Jesus' authority. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus states that His authority extends to "heaven and on earth." This comprehensive claim reveals that there is no realm, domain, or aspect of creation that falls outside the purview of Jesus' authority. As the Creator and Sustainer of all things, Jesus possesses ultimate authority over the entire cosmos, including both the spiritual and physical realms.

This has profound implications for our understanding of Jesus' lordship and our role as His disciples. It means that there is no area of our lives that should be exempt from Jesus' rule and influence. Whether it be our relationships, our careers, our finances, our hobbies, or our innermost thoughts and desires, every aspect of our existence should be submitted to the authority of Jesus. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Furthermore, the scope of Jesus' authority also has significant implications for our engagement with the world around us. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be agents of His kingdom, advancing His rule and reign in every sphere of society. This means that we should seek to bring the truth, justice, and love of Jesus to bear on every aspect of our culture, from politics and education to business and the arts. As Jesus Himself taught in the Sermon on the Mount, we are to be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:13-14), reflecting His character and values in all that we do.

So, what are the implications of Jesus' authority for our lives as His followers? One of the most important implications is that we can trust Jesus to lead and guide us in every aspect of our lives. Because He possesses all authority, we can have confidence that He is in control of our circumstances, even when they seem chaotic or confusing. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Moreover, the authority of Jesus also means that we have access to His power and resources as we seek to follow Him and participate in His mission. In John 15:5, Jesus states, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." This passage reminds us that as we abide in Jesus and submit to His authority, we can expect to experience His supernatural power at work in and through our lives.

The authority of Jesus also carries with it a sense of responsibility and accountability for us as His followers. Jesus commissions His disciples to "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." Our allegiance to Jesus' authority is not merely a matter of personal devotion or piety; it also involves a commitment to actively participate in His mission of making disciples and advancing His kingdom.

The Great Commission

The Great Commission is the final instruction given by Jesus to His followers before His ascension into heaven ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO