6-4-23 Sermon "God's Word Never Changes!" 15 Minutes

Matthew 28:16-20

This morning I'll be reading Matthew chapter 28 verses 16 through 20. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Matthew 28:16-20 The book of Matthew was written to the Jews to convince them that Jesus was the promised Messiah from the Old Testament. These verses,,, that we read this morning,,, are words from Jesus and they give us,,, our Great Commission. Matthew 28:16–20 (HCSB) — 16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The word of God for the people of God,,, thanks be to God! God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. ___________________________________ Last Sunday we looked at 1 Corinthians 12:3–13 and we learned that we may all be different,,, and unique individuals at the same time,,, but as Christians,,, the ones responsible for the church,,, we all have one goal,,, to work together for the benefit of building God’s kingdom!

And we will accomplish that much easier,,, if we work together,,, as the “Living Stones”,,, with a common goal,,, through “Unity and Continuous Prayer”,,, and,,, through the strength and power of the Holy Spirit!

Not relying on our power,,, but on God’s power!

And,,, if we do this correctly,,, the church will grow,,, the way that Jesus intended,,, when He left,,, so that the Holy Spirit could come,,, on Pentecost Sunday,,, and continue to help us,,, along the way,,, even still,,, to this day!

This morning we will look at these verses in Matthew 28:16-20 and see how they will help us in our walk with God this week.

___________________________________

In the verses just before these scriptures,,, Matthew has just revealed that the tomb was opened by an angel and he has told them that Jesus has risen and the women were told to go and tell the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee.

On their way to tell the disciples,,, Jesus appeared to them and also told them to tell the disciples to meet Him in Galilee.

At the same time that the women were going to see the disciples,,, the guards had gone to tell their superiors that they had failed,,, the tomb was empty,,, and Jesus was not there.

The religious leaders decided to bribe the soldiers to tell everyone that the disciples had stolen Jesus' body while they were sleeping.

This story brings up more questions but we will deal with them at a later time.

Now that we know a little bit more about what happened before the verses we are studying,,, we will begin looking at them now.

___________________________________ Verse 16 said l: 16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. Matthew did not record the meeting of Jesus with any of the disciples that same day of His resurrection or the appearance 8 days later to the 11 disciples.

Matthew had recorded Jesus telling them on the night when He was arrested that He would meet them in Galilee after He was resurrected.

In Matthew 26:32 it says: 32 But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

Where they were going to meet is unknown to us since it wasn’t recorded,,, but apparently the disciples knew even though it wasn't written down for us to read today.

___________________________________ Verse 17 said: 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted.

My Bible Knowledge Commentary says that Jesus had appeared to them earlier and they knew that it was Him,,, so they weren't doubting the Resurrection.

This was probably just a question of identity since the other appearances had involved Him appearing without warning or a miraculous appearance.

My Faithlife Study Bible says "the Greek verb used here implies hesitation or indecision,,, rather than unbelief".

It says "the disciples are struggling to comprehend what they are witnessing".

John Wesley says "The various accounts suggest that Jesus’ appearance was in some way different after His resurrection,,, because there was several times that people fail to recognize Him at first.

Remember Mary from John's account in John 20:15,,, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:16,,, and in Luke 24:37 where Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples that evening.

Jesus wasn't recognized during any of these appearances.

He says the exact nature of Christ’s resurrection body is a matter of sheer speculation.

We just aren't told exactly how Jesus' body actually looked.

___________________________________ Verse 18 said: 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

My Wesleyan Bible Commentary says Jesus was given “All authority in heaven": So that He can make use of all the resources of heaven.

And He was given "All authority upon earth": So that He can turn every institution and power and person on earth to account.”

My Faithlife Study Bible says: The resurrection is the ultimate proof of Jesus’ divine authority.

And this authority is extended to His disciples to continue the work of the kingdom of heaven.

My Bible Knowledge Commentary says: This authority had been given to Jesus by the Father and now He was instructing the disciples to go on the basis of that authority.

___________________________________ Verse 19 and the first part of verse 20 said: 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 everything I have commanded you.

This command to Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,,, was to include all nations now,,, not just Israel.

If you remember in Matthew 10 Jesus had sent the disciples only to the lost of Israel,,, they were told,,, by Jesus,,, not to go anywhere else.

In Matthew 10:5-6 it says: 5 Jesus sent out these 12 after giving them instructions: “Don’t take the road leading to other nations, and don’t enter any Samaritan town. 6 Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

"Now" the disciples were to go to all nations,,, not just the Israelites,,, and they were to make disciples by telling them about Jesus and making them understand that they needed Jesus as their Savior.

Those who believed were to be baptized in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Such an act would associate a believer with the person of Jesus Christ and with the Triune God.

The God whom they served is one God and yet is three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Those who respond are also to be taught the truths Jesus had specifically communicated to the disciples.

Jesus’ commission,,, which applied to all of His followers,,, involved one command,,, “Make disciples,,,” which is accompanied by three participles in the Greek: “going",,, "baptizing",,, and "teaching".

In other words,,, they are to "make disciples" by "going",,, "baptizing",,, and "teaching"!

___________________________________ The last part of verse 20 said: And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The final words of Jesus,,, recorded by Matthew,,, were a promise that He would be with them always,,, until the very end of the Age.

Even though Jesus did not remain physically with the disciples,,, His spiritual presence,,, was with them until their tasks on earth were finished.

Jesus promised the disciples in John 14:26 - 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit —the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

Once the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples,,, they were able to begin immediately to do the job that Jesus had left for them to do.

The Holy Spirit is also with us today,,, guiding us in ever part of our life if we are paying attention and listening as He tries to show us the way.

These final words of Jesus Christ our Lord,,, were carried out by the apostles as they went everywhere,,, proclaiming the story of their Messiah,,, Jesus Christ,,, the King of the Jews.

My Faithlife Study Bible says that the reference: to the end of the age refers to the second coming of Jesus.

We are to continue working,,, all the way up to,,, either our leaving this earth,,, or,,, Jesus' return!

___________________________________ I couldn’t help but think about these words over and over this week as I prepared the message for today.

And what stands out to me still,,, is the fact that Jesus never mentions denomination!

He doesn’t say,,, just the United Methodist,,, or just the Global Methodist,,, or just the Catholics,,, or just the Baptist,,, or any other denomination you can think of!

He gives this to the disciples,,, and through them,,, we,,, all Christians,,, everywhere,,, receive our command to go!

I understand that denominations weren’t a part of Jesus’ ministry then,,, but I don’t believe that He ever intended for us to waver from these words,,, regardless of the mistakes that we are making along the way!

___________________________________ No matter what denomination we are,,, or what denomination we become,,, to me,,, Jesus’ words are the command for us today,,, just as it was for the disciples then!

Trinity Sunday will always be about the words from Jesus,,, that we read and obey,,, going forward!

Verses 19 & 20 said: 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

That means we,,, all Christians,,, everywhere,,, go,,, everywhere,,, baptizing and teaching them,,, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Those words will never change,,, no matter what we are,,, or,,, what denomination we are affiliated with,,, going forward!

We may change denominations or churches,,, different leaders,,, different people,,, whatever,,, “God’s Word Never Changes”,,, and our focus should not change,,, as well,,, no matter what directions,,, we feel God leading us,,, in the days,,, ahead!

___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Hymn: 337 - Oakdale Hymn: 337 - Seminary Benediction -----------------------------------------------------------