Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Greetings…

Theme: The Life of Christ

Hope: To draw closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, through a study of his life and teachings while “in the flesh.”

Over the last two weeks we have studied both the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

We examined how brutally he was treated leading up and ultimately concluding with his death.

We also examined how wonderfully amazing it was that he rose from the grave to “never die again” so as to lead us unto salvation.

Today, we are going to look at the “mission statement” Jesus established before his ascension back to the Father.

That mission statement is what we common call “The Great Commission.”

Most organizations have a mission statement.

A mission statement answer the question of “Why do we exist.”

This is why most will begin with something along the line of “We exist to…”

The church of Christ has had a mission statement for some 2,000 plus years.

It was put in place by her founder: Jesus Christ.

As I mentioned just a moment ago, it is what we commonly call The Great Commission.

The most well-known account of the Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:18-20.

However, it is also found in Mark 16:15-16 and Luke 24:46-48.

This morning I want us to explore this Great Commission and see the impact it should have on our lives today.

So with that in mind let’s examine the first verse and this…

Colossal Claim

All Authority Is Jesus’

Notice again the word’s Jesus spoke there in Matthew 28:18…

Matthew 28:18 (ESV)

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

If God the Father has given “all authority” to Jesus, how much authority is left over for us?

Some, a little, a miniscule amount, NO, we have NONE.

No man, woman, child, organization, or church has any authority.

If God has “given all authority to Jesus” then Jesus has authority “over us.”

This means when Jesus tells us what to do i.e., authorizes what he expects from us, we are to do it.

Colossians 3:17 (ESV)

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…

This also means that Jesus can delegate authority as he has done as the “Chief Shepherd” to other shepherds.

Not only does “Jesus” have authority he clearly claims he has all authority “in heaven and in earth.”

What an incredible range of authority.

Jesus’ authority goes up to heaven and down to earth.

When we consider the “power” this encompasses we see why he was given such.

Jesus is the one that forgives our sins.

Jesus therefore is the one providing our salvation.

John 14:6 (ESV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Summary

How what a great blessing it is that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, has been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

Thanks be to God for Jesus and his authority.

We also find in the next two verses a…

Celebrated Charge

To Teach God’s Plan Of Salvation.

Let’s read again this great charge by Jesus to his disciples.

Mark 16:15–16 (ESV)

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Luke 24:46–47 (ESV)

46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)

19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…”

We can clearly see from these passages that there is a great importance placed on Jesus’ disciples.

We are to preach the gospel to every person possible.

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (ESV)

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures

We are to preach discipleship through the preaching of the gospel.

We are to preach God’s plan of salvation.

We are to continue preaching God’s word after they have been adopted into the family.

We taught them how to make Jesus their Lord now we have to teach them how to keep him as their Lord.

We must teach them how to guard, hold, and keep the gospel near and dear to their heart.

Summary

There is no scenario wherein we are at liberty to change or omit any of the Lord’s authority.

Jesus has “all authority” in heaven and on earth.

Finally, we see in the last part of Matthew 28:20…

Cherished Contract

Jesus’ Promise.

Jesus promised to be with them and us ALWAYS.

Matthew 28:20 (ESV)

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

He will be with us through thick and thin.

What does that mean for us though?

It means Jesus will make sure he is our advocate.

When we sin, Jesus is going to plead our case for justification again (1 Corinthians 6:11).

It means Jesus is our mediator.

When we sin, Jesus negotiates a reconciliation (Colossians 1:21-23).

This means he intercedes on our behalf.

When we sin, Jesus’ blood continues to wash away our sins (1 John 1:7).

Summary

Jesus has promised us to never leave us.

We can leave him, but he will never leave us.

Conclusion

Jesus gave us…

A colossal claim, “All Authority Is His” do we acknowledge it?

A celebrated charge, “Preach the gospel” do we keep it?

A cherished contract, “A promise to always be there with us” do we trust it?

Do you believe Jesus is not only the Son of God but that he has all authority over your life?

Are you willing to submit to his will and live the best life possible in this life and the next?

Invitation