Where Do We Go From Here?
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Introduction- An American Culture Concerned with Growth?
Introduction- An American Culture Concerned with Growth?
Transition To Body
Transition To Body
So, we find numerical growth going on in the New Testament just as in the Old Testament. But the growth that we find discussed and urged and prayed for in the New Testament isn’t simply numerical growth. If your church is more crowded with people now than it was a few years ago, does that mean that it is a healthy church? Not necessarily.1 There is another kind of growth. The New Testament idea of growth involves not just more people, but people who are growing up, maturing, and deepening in the faith. We read in Ephesians 4:15–16: “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Dever, Mark. Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (3rd Edition) (9Marks) . Crossway. Kindle Edition.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Body- Jesus’ Disciples (Followers)
Body- Jesus’ Disciples (Followers)
Jesus Assures Followers Of His Power (Matt. 28:16-18)
Jesus Assures Followers Of His Power (Matt. 28:16-18)
Believe in the Authority Of Jesus Christ
Worship- to express by attitude and possibly by position one’s allegiance to and regard for deity—‘to prostrate oneself in worship, to bow down and worship, to worship
1. Jesus’ unique authority as the divine Son of God demands the worship of his followers (e.g., chs. 1–2; 3:17; 4:1–11; 14:33).
17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
doubted- to think that something may not be true or certain—‘to doubt, to be uncertain about, doubt.’
The Gospel according to Matthew C. The Great Commission, 28:16–20
Matthew goes on to say, but some hesitated, the meaning of which is not immediately obvious. Many translations have “some doubted,” and this may indeed be the meaning, but “hesitated” seems more likely
The Gospel of Matthew Part VI: Galilee—The Messianic Mission is Launched (28:16–20)
So what sort of “hesitation” was this? The verb distazō occurs only once elsewhere in the NT, where it describes Peter’s loss of confidence in the face of the elements in 14:31; interestingly there too the “hesitation” is linked with “worship.”
authority- the power to do something, with or without an added implication of authority—‘power.’
Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary v. Jesus Alive and Sovereign (28:16–20)
In response to their ‘hesitation’ Jesus came and spoke to them in reassurance (just as he did in 17:7, the only other place where Matthew uses the verb ‘come’ of Jesus). His ringing declaration, magnificent enough in itself, is given deeper meaning by the recognition that the words were based on Daniel 7:14, the passage which Jesus has quoted in 26:64 as about to be fulfilled ‘from now on’; then it was still future—now it has happened.
Jesus Assigns Followers His Gospel Mandate (Matt. 28:19)
Jesus Assigns Followers His Gospel Mandate (Matt. 28:19)
Obey The Command Of Jesus Christ
Go- to move a considerable distance, either with a single destination or from one destination to another in a series—‘to travel, to journey, to be on one’s way.’
make disciples- to cause someone to become a disciple or follower of—‘to make disciples, to cause people to become followers.’
The Gospel of Matthew Part VI: Galilee—The Messianic Mission is Launched (28:16–20)
The commission is expressed not in terms of the means, to proclaim the good news, but of the end, to “make disciples.” It is not enough that the nations hear the message; they must also respond with the same whole-hearted commitment which was required of those who became disciples of Jesus during his ministry
The Gospel according to Matthew C. The Great Commission, 28:16–20
In this Gospel a disciple is both a learner and a follower; a disciple takes Jesus as his teacher and learns from him, and a disciple also follows Jesus.
5 A wise man is full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
baptize- to employ water in a religious ceremony designed to symbolize purification and initiation on the basis of repentance—‘to baptize, baptism.’
The Gospel according to Matthew C. The Great Commission, 28:16–20
We should notice that the word name is singular; Jesus does not say that his followers should baptize in the “names” of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but in the “name” of these three. It points to the fact that they are in some sense one.
teaching- to provide instruction in a formal or informal setting—‘to teach, teaching.’
observe- to continue to obey orders or commandments—‘to obey, to keep commandments, obedience.’
commanded- to give definite orders, implying authority or official sanction—‘to command.’ ταῦτα ἐντέλλομαι ὑμῖν, ἵνα ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους ‘this is what I command you: love one another’ Jn 15:17.
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
2. Jesus’ form of discipleship transcends ethnic, gender, and religious boundaries to form a new community of faith called the church (e.g., 12:46–50; 16:18–19;18:17–18).
46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
3. Jesus’ final move, from particularism in fulfilling the covenantal promises to Israel, to universal salvation offered to all the nations, is proclaimed in preaching of the gospel of the kingdom of God (e.g., 1:1; 10:5–6; 15:21–28).
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
4. Jesus’ call to inside-out righteousness is experienced through obedience to his teachings as the fulfillment of God’s will for his people (e.g., 5:20–48; 15:1–20).
5. Jesus’ promises of his eternal presence with his disciples
Jesus Assuages Followers With His Presence (Matt. 28:20)
Jesus Assuages Followers With His Presence (Matt. 28:20)
Depend On The Presence Of Jesus Christ
behold- prompters of attention, which serve also to emphasize the following statement—‘look, listen, pay attention, come now, then.’
Transition To Close- Affirmations From Jesus To His Followers
Transition To Close- Affirmations From Jesus To His Followers
The movie Hoosiers tells the Cinderella story of a small-town Indiana high school basketball team that wins the state championship. One important character, an alcoholic named Shooter (played by Dennis Hopper), has failed at most things in his life—but he has an extraordinary knowledge of and passion for the game of basketball.
The coach (played by Gene Hackman) works with Shooter to give him a second chance in life. He asks Shooter to be his assistant coach, and soon Shooter is on the bench.
The little-known Hickory High School basketball team is starting to experience winning ways when, during a pivotal game, the coach decides to get himself thrown out. He pulls the referee aside and says, “Take me out of the game.” The ref doesn’t know what the coach is up to, but he tosses him from the game.
Shooter is terrified. A few scenes earlier, after another drinking binge, Shooter promised the coach he’d stay sober and remain as the assistant on one condition: “You’ve got to give me your word,” said Shooter, “that you will not be kicked out of no games!”
The end of the game is near, and the score is tied. The Hickory players call a time-out. In the team huddle, all eyes are on Shooter—including his son’s, who never thought his dad should be in this position in the first place. Shooter is paralyzed by fear. He can’t speak. Finally his son says, “You reckon number four will put up their last shot, Dad?” That seems to jump-start Shooter, and he haltingly calls a play. The team goes back on the floor and begins to execute it, when Shooter calls another time-out.
Now he is completely engaged in the game, and his knowledge and passion for basketball have overtaken his fear. He lays out the strategy for the next play with confidence: “All right, now listen to me. This is the last shot we got. All right? We’re gonna run the picket fence at ‘em. Merle, you’re the swingman. Jimmy, you’re solo right. All right, Merle should be open swinging around the end of that fence. Now, boys, don’t get caught watchin’ that paint dry!”
The players are with him. They walk back onto the court, run the play to perfection, and sink the game-winning basket. Of course, Shooter and the players are deliriously happy. Amid the celebration, Shooter’s son looks into his father’s eyes and says, “You did good, Pop. You did real good.”
A weak, shame-filled alcoholic accomplished genuine good because the coach decided he was worth taking a risk on. In the same way, God sees our value and loves us enough to take a risk on us.
Larson, Craig Brian; Zahn, Andrew. Movie-Based Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching: 101 Clips to Show or Tell (pp. 16-17). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
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