The Ends of the Earth

Introduction

Good morning. It is good to see you all this morning as we conclude our series called Hooked.

Over the last two weeks, we have been looking at several places in Scripture where God uses the picture of fishing to teach us important truths about following Jesus.

We began this series beside the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to leave their nets and follow Him. Jesus told them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."

This same invitation extends to every follower of Jesus. Every person matters to God, and He has called us to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

Last week, we returned to another fishing story involving Peter. Peter had experienced incredible moments with Jesus, but he had also experienced failure. Yet Jesus' call on his life remained. Jesus was still calling Peter to follow Him.

Today, as we finish this series, we are going to see just how far Jesus intends His followers to carry out the mission He has given us.

God’s plan was for the good news of Jesus Christ to spread throughout the world.

In Matthew 24, Jesus was preparing His disciples for difficult days that would come. He told them about persecution, betrayal, false prophets, and lawlessness. Yet even in the middle of everything they would face, Jesus made an incredible statement.

He said in Matthew 24:14, "This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

No matter what they would face, or what we will face, the gospel will continue to go forward. There are people in our families who need Jesus, people in our neighborhoods and communities who need Jesus, people across our country and around the world who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. The call to fish for people includes reaching every one of them.

This morning, we are going to discover that Jesus has commissioned His Church to take the gospel to the world, He has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us for that mission, and He has given each of us a part in carrying it out.

Let's pray

Commissioned by Christ

Let's begin by looking at Matthew 28:18–20.

"Jesus came near and said to them, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"

These are some of the final instructions Jesus gave His disciples before He returned to heaven. And notice where Jesus begins.

He says, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth."

Jesus was sending His disciples on a mission. They were going to take the gospel beyond the places and people they already knew.

And they were going under the authority of Jesus Christ.

Then Jesus tells them what they are to do. He says, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations."

The call to fish for people was not to be limited to Galilee. The gospel was going to spread far beyond the shores where these disciples had first learned to follow Jesus.

And that same commission has been given to the Church today.

Jesus said to make disciples. Making disciples involves helping people to come to know Jesus and teaching them how to follow Him.

Our mission as disciples of Jesus is to take the good news of the gospel to people everywhere.

Jesus also said, "all nations." That is a mission much larger than anything we could ever accomplish on our own.

But listen to how Jesus finishes His commission. He says, "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Jesus sends us with the promise of His presence.

Wherever He calls us to go, He is with us. Whatever opportunity He gives us to share the gospel, He is with us. As His Church carries the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the world, He is with us.

We have been commissioned by Christ to make disciples of all nations. And Jesus knew that His followers would need more than their own strength to carry out a mission that large. He was going to give them the power they needed to complete it.

Empowered by the Spirit

Let's continue by looking at Acts 1:8.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Jesus had given His disciples what we call the great commission to take the gospel throughout the world. Here in the beginning of the book of Acts, He tells them where the power to accomplish that mission would come from.

He says, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you."

The disciples were not being sent out to accomplish this mission through their own power. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would give them the power they needed to be His witnesses.

I want us to think for a moment about Peter and what we saw last week.

Last week, we saw a man who had denied knowing Jesus three different times. Peter knew what it was like to fail. He knew what it was like to be afraid. Yet after the Holy Spirit came upon the believers, we see Peter standing before a crowd in Acts 2 and boldly proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.

God was working through Peter to accomplish the mission Jesus had given him. The same Holy Spirit lives within every person who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

There may be times when we feel inadequate to share our faith. We may wonder what we should say or whether we will have the right answers. We may even feel uncomfortable talking to someone whose background is different from ours.

The Holy Spirit gives us what we need to faithfully represent Christ to the people He places in our path.

Then notice how far Jesus says this mission will go. He says, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Jerusalem was where they were. Judea extended the mission into the surrounding region. Samaria would take them among people with whom the Jews had significant religious and cultural differences. And then Jesus says, ‘to the ends of the earth’.

When Jesus called His first disciples, He told them that He would make them fish for people. Now He tells them just how far those fishing grounds extend. "To the ends of the earth."

Some of us may have opportunities to personally take the gospel to another part of the world. Others may have opportunities to reach people from different nations who now live in our own communities. God can use our prayers, our giving, our service, and our willingness to go wherever He leads. The mission is much bigger than any one of us can achieve alone.

And that is one reason God has placed us together as His Church. We have been given different gifts and different opportunities, and each of us has a part in carrying out the mission Jesus has given us.

Everyone Has a Part

Let's finish by looking at Romans 12:5–8.

"In the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one's faith; if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness."

Paul uses the picture of a body to describe the Church. A body has many different parts, and those parts have different functions. In the same way, God has brought us together as one body in Christ.

Then Paul says, "According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts."

He mentions serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing mercy. God uses these different gifts as His people serve Him and carry out the work He has given His Church.

This is important when we think about the mission Jesus has given us.

When we hear Jesus say, "Go and make disciples of all nations," or "You will be my witnesses...to the ends of the earth," we may wonder what part we could possibly play in something that big.

God has given each of us opportunities to serve Him.

Some people may be called to travel to another country and share the gospel. Some may teach God's Word. Some may give financially to support missionaries and ministries. Some may serve people in practical ways. Some may encourage those who are doing difficult ministry. Some may use the opportunities God gives them right where they live.

Each person has a part to play as the Church carries out the mission Jesus has given us.

Paul makes a similar point in 1 Corinthians 12:12 when he says, "For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ."

We need one another. The mission Jesus has given His Church is bigger than what one person, one pastor, one missionary, or one church can accomplish. God brought His people together and has given us different spiritual gifts to use in His service.

In the same way, each of us should use what God has given us to help take the good news of Jesus Christ to others.

The question for us is: How are we using what God has given us to participate in His mission?

Maybe God has given you the ability to teach. Teach faithfully. Maybe He has given you resources that you can use to support the spread of the gospel. Give generously. Maybe He has given you opportunities to serve, encourage, lead, or show mercy. Use those opportunities for His glory. And maybe God is calling you to go somewhere you have never considered going.

Wherever God has placed you and whatever gifts He has given you, there is a place for you to participate in the mission of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

I want you to think about one question this morning, What is God calling you to do?

Maybe there is someone in your life who needs to hear about Jesus. You have been praying for them, talking with them, and waiting for an opportunity to share your faith. Ask God to give you that opportunity and the boldness to do it this week.

Maybe there is someone you could invite to church. Sometimes a simple invitation can open the door for someone to hear the gospel and begin asking questions about Jesus.

Maybe God has been leading you to start serving. He has given you gifts, abilities, and opportunities that can be used to make a difference in the lives of others. There is a place for you to use what God has given you to serve His Church and participate in His mission.

Whatever God is calling you to do, be willing to respond. But maybe your response this morning needs to begin with Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ came into this world because He loves you. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for your sins, and rose from the grave so that you could be forgiven and have eternal life.

Today, you can repent of your sins, place your faith in Jesus Christ, and receive Him as your Lord and Savior.

What is God calling you to do today?

Respond to His invitation today.

Let's pray.