The Commissioner Matthew 28:16-20

A little boy built a model ship, glued all the pieces together, and worked on it for hours.  It was perfect.  Every detail was correct, down to tiny sailors standing on the deck.  He put it in a glass case.  He wouldn't let his brother play with it in the bathtub.  He was going to keep it perfect by keeping it safe.

His parents bought a real boat so they could spend the weekends sailing out on the harbor.  They loved it.  At first.  It was a lot of work to maintain.  Boat owners will tell you that the day you bought your boat was the happiest day of your life, and the day you sold it was the second happiest.  At first, they used it a lot.  But then they used it less.  It was expensive.  After a few months, they went to spend a day sailing and found barnacles growing on the side, algae all over it, and a dead motor.  A real boat is only kept in shape by being used.

The two boats worked in opposite ways.  The model was preserved by being kept safe.  The real boat was preserved by being used.

The Church cannot be what Jesus called us to be unless we fulfill the commission He has given us.

-Jesus commissions His disciples to make more disciples.

I. His Authority vv. 16-18

After the Resurrection, the Apostles follow Jesus’ instructions and go to Galilee to meet Him there

Their reactions are interesting, because it feels like they are caught between two extremes:

They have enough faith to worship Him, recognizing their Resurrected Lord

However, they also have enough fear to continue to doubt.

This may seem impossible, but I believe that they are struggling with the enormity of what lies before them

They don’t doubt Jesus, but they are filled with serious doubts about what comes next.

On some level, they would be crazy not to be afraid!

Jesus answers their fears with a statement of authority. Why does His authority matter?

He has the authority to issue commands to us.

He has authority over all of creation

He has authority over spiritual powers, including angels and demons

He has authority to save or to judge

He has authority over life and death

He has authority to authorize us to fulfill HIs mission

We need to understand this about the great commission, it is more than a command! It allows us to go make disciples in the authority of Jesus with all that it entails!

The created order cannot stop His mission

The right to save is His

The angels are His servants and the demons tremble at His name

Even life and death are subject to Him

As we walk in His authority fulfilling His purpose, we have nothing to fear!

Joshua 1:6–8

[6] Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. [7] Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. [8] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (ESV)

In India, early Salvationists were told they were not allowed to conduct open-air meetings or street processions, even though they were completely legal. Major Frederick Tucker was determined they would exercise their rights and he and his party of Salvationists marched down the streets of Bombay, singing and playing enthusiastically, they were met by a phalanx of police. Deputy Commissioner John Godfrey Smith dismounted and called, "In the name of Her Majesty, Queen of England and Queen Empress of India, I order you to disperse." Tucker was undeterred, stepped forwards with his hand raised for silence, and commanded, "In the name of His Majesty, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, I command you to stand aside." They were promptly arrested and cautioned. They eventually won the day, but not before imprisonment, threats and confiscation of their goods.

II. His Instruction vv. 19-20a

The Commission carries a central command: Make Disciples!

A disciples is, at it’s simplest level, a follower of Jesus

Even as these men have followed Jesus, He endorses them to make more followers of Jesus; the invitation to follow is open!

The question Jesus seeks to answer is not a what question, but how. How do we make disciples?

There are three primary elements involved in making a disciple:

Go- we cannot unintentionally make disciples; we must go where there are people who are not disciples of Jesus and we must seek them

To fulfill the command, there must be a going involved

Further, if we are continuing the ministry of Jesus, we must understand that this is exactly what He did. He came to seek and to save that which was lost!

Baptize- in critical ways, this step marks a transition on the part of the disciple

It is a public witness to a new life in Christ

It unites us with the people of God, as part of a new family

It recognizes the total work of the Godhead in salvation

The Father- is the administrator of salvation; it takes place according to His intent and He oversees the work of salvation

The Son- is the active agent of salvation; it takes place through His sacrifice. Everything that the Father does, He does through the work of the Son

The Holy Spirit- is the communicator of salvation; it takes place as He draws us, convicting us of sin. He works guide us in righteousness, empowers us for service, and seals us for our ultimate glorification

Teach- disciple-making carries an instructive element

Teach them to obey- this is much more than information; it is transformation

All the words of Jesus- He did not leave us to walk in ignorance!

We search the Scriptures because they contain instruction in righteousness

We cannot treat this selectively, because it is all given by God

This is not an invitation to understand a set of principles; it is an invitation to a completely new way of living

Last night, Suzanne and I went to the gym for a quick workout. While there, I witnessed something I’ve never seen before. A lady was on the treadmill ahead of Suzanne and she started adding dance moves to her routine. Honestly, she was playing 3-D chess on that treadmill. The whole thing was a little shocking to watch! We were all doing the same thing: walking in place on a machine, but she did it with joy, style, and purpose. That’s what life with Christ is like; it’s just better!

2 Corinthians 5:17–18

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. [18] All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; (ESV)

III. His Presence v. 20b

Finally, we hear needed words of encouragement!

The scope of the commission given to us might be a little overwhelming, but it does not overwhelm Him; and He is with us!

It is the presence of Christ that propels us forward as we participate in the commission that He has given us

This age will soon come to an end, but will we be found faithful to fulfill the mission?

When we go in all of His authority to all of the nations to teach them all of His Word, He will always be with us!

I’m not sure that any series of books has meant more to me than JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. In “The Two Towers” an aged king named Theoden has become a prisoner in his own palace. Years of neglect and listening to whispered fears have left him powerless, until the day comes when strange visitors come with words of hope:

'Now Théoden son of Thengel, will you hearken to me?' said Gandalf. 'Do you ask for help?' He lifted his staff and pointed to a high window. There the darkness seemed to clear, and through the opening could be seen, high and far, a patch of shining sky. 'Not all is dark. Take courage, Lord of the Mark; for better help you will not find. No counsel have I to give to those that despair. Yet counsel I could give, and words I could speak to you. Will you hear them?... I bid you come out before your doors and look abroad. Too long have you sat in shadows and trusted to twisted tales and crooked promptings.' Slowly Théoden left his chair. A faint light grew in the hall again.... with faltering steps the old man came down from the dais and paced softly through the hall.... They came to the doors and Gandalf knocked. 'Open!' he cried. 'The Lord of the Mark comes forth!'

The time has come for the Church to take up the authority given to it and go to make disciples for our King!