Untitled Sermon (2)

(NKJV) 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Our text is Jesus’s command to his disciples and to his church to make disciples of all people of all nations. The emphasis in this command is not on going; the emphasis is on making disciples. The only imperative in these words is make disciples. The word translated go is actually a participle with the force of an imperative. It means that in our going about from place to place, we are to concern ourselves with making disciples.

I. Our Lord Assert His Authority (v18)

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

The word translated authority means the power to command the power to issue orders or requisitions, the authority to take charge. On the basis of his unique person, and because of his sacrificial death, victories resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the God, our Lord asserts his authority.

Today’s disciples need to recognize and respond to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is not only our Savior; he is also our owner. To Him has been given the right to lay claims on all we are and all we possess. He should be the great authoritarian figure in our lives. As we emphasize Christ’s authority, we need to remember his love and devotion which he demonstrated by dying on the cross for us sinners.

(NKJV) 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

II. Our Lord Reveals His Continuing Redemptive Program ()

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Our God has been a missionary God from the beginning of human history.

A. He sent Adam and Eve from the Garden after they broke their covenant with God

B. He called Abraham leave the land of his father go to land he to go out on a missionary trip. Called the people of Israel our of Egypt that they might be the instruments of his redemptive purpose.

C. He commissioned Joseph into Egypt ahead of his family to prepare for the famine

D. He commissioned Moses to into Egypt to

E. The book of Jonah is a missionary book in which God seeks to reveal to the prophet and the people the extent of His concern for an unbelieving world. The book of Jonah is a stinging rebuke to the narrow nationalism and spiritual isolationism of those who considered themselves to be the people of God during that day.

In many instances our Lord revealed his concern for those outside the nation of Israel.

He gave the water of life to a despised Samaritan woman,

and in the parable of the Good Samaritan, he highly commended the Samaritan who ministered to the man left for dead by robbers.

He called attention to the fact that it was a Samaritan who expressed gratitude for his healing power

He heard the prayer of the Phoenician woman as she prayed for deliverance of her daughter.

Our Lord poured the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost to prepare his disciples for a ministry to the whole world.

Many followers of the Lord have professionalized the words of the Great Commission and have applied it only to the clergy. To do this is to violence to the Scripture and to rob Christ’s follower of their heritage and their opportunity as servants of the Lord.

Many others have internationalized it the words of the Great Commission applying it only to foreign missions. A Closer reading will indicate that it is all inclusive and that each of us is stop evangelize our own arear of the world.

III. Our Lord Promises His Personal Presence (V.20)

20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

If we would obey the words of this Great Commission, we would enjoy the fulfillment of the promise of the Lord to bless us with his presence those who give themselves to the task of witnessing. The abiding presence of Jesus Christ can bring great joy and comfort to the fearful, and can motivate us to do our best, and can make us bold when we would be fearful. He is with us always as we serve him and minister to others.