KOZ 03JAN26

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

THE GREAT COMMISSION

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

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

Who was the Great Commission directed to?

Who does it apply to, now?

Pastors-Missionaries- Church Leaders/Teachers- Your KOZ Leaders?

Adults Only?

We’ll get to the answer in a minute.

What is a Commission?

a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties

authority to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another

The Oath of Commission is taken by Officers in the Military.

Different from the Oath of enlistment taken when enlisting in the Military.

In this case, it’s more like an assignment or mission given to us by God.

God has called us to do certain things for Him ( A Commissioning)

Name some of those things- Daily Devotions- Reading the Bible- Talking to others about the Gospel

So let’s look at what makes this Commission so Great!

Matthew 28:16–17 ESV

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

Having Doubts is OK

After Jesus had been resurrected from the dead, He tells His Disciples to go a mountain in Galilee that was familiar to them. He met them there shortly after they arrived.

How did they react to seeing Jesus?

Worship and Doubt

The Worship is understandable, but why the doubt?

This was after the Upper Room visit where Jesus just suddenly appeared to them

This was after the second appearance where Jesus proved Himself to Thomas- Who had serious doubts

So after seeing Jesus Crucified, buried, Resurrected and now appearing to them at least twice and eating with them...

What’s left to doubt?

And Who could possibly doubt the Gospel message of Jesus after all of that?

We can-That’s who- Us humans.

Because those Disciples of Jesus day were no different then we are today.

But here’s the kicker to that fact-

What did Jesus do with the Doubters?

Vaporize them where they stood? Toss them off the side of the mountain for their doubt?

Revoke their Discipleship cards and make them walk home alone?

Nope- None of that

Jesus used them and commissioned them just as He did the ones who worshipped Him without doubt.

Just like then, we all struggle with Doubts about our Faith- I’m pretty sure that ever adult here has struggle with some aspect of Faith at some point in their lives.

What you need to grab hold of is that Doubt doesnt disqualify you from God’s Commission.

He knows none of us are perfect- We are all flawed people

So Jesus chose then, and still chooses now to use flawed people to do His work of Gods Commission.

One of the reasons CC Aiken emphasizes Men mentoring Men, is that it allows us to talk openly about the stuff in our lives that are grinding on us at the moment.

One of the best things about a relationship with Jesus, is that He wants us to talk to Him about the stuff that bugs us- The stuff that may cause us to doubt.

It is really the best way to build up our faith- To ask God the hard questions

His Grace, patience and understanding are far greater than any question you might have for Him.

So… How can we be so sure

Matthew 28:18 ESV

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

God’s Commission Comes with God’s Authority

Notice Jesus didnt tell them to do anything until He had confirmed that He had the Power and Authority to back it all up.

That ragged band of Christ Followers, took that Commissioning from Jesus-

And turn their world upside down for the Gospel of Jesus.

Where, they had hid in dark rooms and cowered in fear just days before-

After the Commissioning of Jesus- They stormed the gates of the evil of their world and never looked back

All but the Apostle John gave their lives to the spreading of the Gospel

Boiled in oil- Beheaded- Crucified upside down (by choice)- Skinned alive- or Run through by sword or spears.

They all suffered for the Cost of believing in Jesus Christ.

None of it would have happened if Christ had NOT conquered Death and the Grave-

It was after that Jesus declared to the Disciples, “ALL Authority...”

Some translations read, “ALL POWER...”

Two different ways of saying the same thing.

And not just All Authority in Heaven- In His Deity, He already had that-

But now ALL AUTHORITY, included Heaven and EARTH

We can do nothing of importance on our own.

Anything a Follower of Christ does with lasting impact- Happens BECAUSE of Christ Power and Authority over everything.

There is no reason for any believer to feel they are so small or insignificant to matter.

Since our/ Your Commission is not based on our own strength, we can rest assured that we will never be alone in our mission for God.

So, back to that first question:

Who was the Great Commission directed to?

Who does it apply to, now?

Pastors-Missionaries- Church Leaders/Teachers- Your KOZ Leaders?

Adults Only?

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Is there any age, or gender requirements listed?

“Go, therefore...”

Not a Angel holding a sign that you must be “This Tall” to go on the trip

Certainly no height restrictions (Charlie)

The answer is- From the youngest young man here to the “Oldest” young man here-

We are all commissioned to carry out God’s calling for each of us.

The only location given- “To ALL the Nations”

Jesus, in the first chapter of Acts, tells the Disciple to begin where they were at- Jerusalem

Then the surrounding countryside- Judea and Samaria

Then to the ends of the Earth

So how does that apply to us today?

What’s the closest group of people you associate with?

Family? Friends at school?

That’s your Jerusalem

The surrounding Countryside?

Your local neighborhood- School activities-Teammates- Coaches

The Ends of the Earth?

Your social media footprint ( if Appropriate)

Anywhere else you can share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Even in the most mundane things of daily life.

Do you hold the door open for your folks when bringing groceries in the house

Do you help with bringing them in and putting stuff away

Doing your chores without grumbling of an argument with parents.

Are you polite to your teachers and coaches

There is no task to small to be a blessing for someone who needs an act of kindness in their life.

Be that act of kindness