Rise Up and Go!

Bible Introduction (2m)

The Need for a Map

Show us the journey. Otherwise, can get lost. Matthew 28:1-10; 16-20 - Graham - Jesus: word map to follow if we want to be disciples of Jesus.

Introduction (5m)

Salvationists are Special Ops Christians

British Special Forces/Elite Units

Interested in British Special Forces/Elite Units? SAS (Air), SBS (Boat), SRR (Reconnaissance Regiment), SFSG (Support Group), 18 (UKSF) Signals Regiment, Parachute Regiment, Pathfinder Platoon, RM Commandos, RAF/AAC/Fleet Air Arm Special Forces Flights, Elite Artillery, RAF Regiment. > Read books (fiction, non-fiction), TV, film. > Exciting, scary (if on the other side), elite/best, handpicked, trained.

We are Jesus’ special forces - Elite, handpicked, trained, tested followers with a mission

Matthew 28:19 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Explanation (5m)

It was their Experience of the Risen Christ who changed the Disciples into Special Ops Troops

When we first meet his disciples, not the special forces Jesus envisaged

Mary Magadelene/other Mary had given up. > “3rd day - raised from the dead.” But dare not believe.

Disciples - locked away in fear of their lives. > Certainly not special forces!

Jesus knew their potential as special forces

Knew all this would happen, but:

Matthew 26:32 NLT

But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

Matthew 28:7 NLT

And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

Matthew 28:10 NLT

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

He had already decided to put his faith in them/commission them/fulfil God’s purpose through them.

Resurrected Jesus’ faith in them gave them strength to obey

Women ran back and gave them the message >

Matthew 28:16 NLT

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

What got them past the locked door? Cowards > people of courage? Denial, betrayal, desertion > boldness? > Resurrected Jesus! > Only explanation for their sudden courage/boldness/willingness to come out of hiding/willingness to obey - contact with/experienced the power of resurrection!

But where would they get the strength? - Their courage came from the resurrected J. It took courage to obey J and go to Galilee.

Meeting the resurrected Jesus always means a commissioning

Be careful!

Resurrection not to prove a point! But to fulfil a purpose

Not to offer a new spiritual experience. It was to ensure God’s purpose would be fulfilled. > And God has ordained his purpose will be fulfilled through his people - you and me. > Always commissioning:

Commissions women - afraid (earthquake, angel, fainting guards), no body > resurrected Jesus! - but still commissioned:

Matthew 28:10 NLT

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Then he commissions his disciples (and us):

Matthew 28:19 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Commissions his Disciples to Disciple as They Go

Not “Go” but “When/As You Go”

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Most translations “go” = imperative/command. > But not the meaning in Greek. More like, “when you go, as you go ...”. > Jesus assumes we will be going! > Not all our time in church. Much more time at home, school, work, neighbourhood, etc. Spend most of our week going!

Greek = not so much “make disciples” as “disciple”

Not about programmes/discipleship pathways. Not about getting them through the door > listening to sermons, joining classes, etc.

Whatever you do - hanging out with family, cooking, cleaning, school work, hanging out with friends in the playground, at your desk, in the staff room, drinking coffee, tending your front garden, shopping, out having a meal, phoning, texting, social media - disciple. Teach those around you Jesus’ commands - in word and deed.

Whatever ministry - Playing instrument, singing, greeting, teaching, leading, cooking, counting money, driving, visiting, gardening - disciple. Teach those around you Jesus’ commands - in word and deed.

Application (5m)

We are Supposed to Go!

Focusing on coming/staying

Some have come back, many of us longing to get back here.

Don’t get me wrong - gathering together is important

Worshipping together, fellowship, shared experience = important.

But it’s not all there is!

We are God’s special forces. We are elite, handpicked, trained, tested followers with a mission to disciple as we go

Come here for training. To receive instructions from Jesus. To get sense we are not alone - to experience esprit de corps. To be equipped for work of church, done between Sundays.

As you go from here - either literally or metaphorically - try to show something of Christ’s resurrection power in your own life to those around you

Be bold/courageous! Whoever you come into contact with, show them some of what you have experienced in Jesus. Help them to learn about him through the joy and hope you are feeling (even in the middle of a crisis) and the love you show them.

Will You Accept the Mission and Go?

The world is lost and dying. Still moving from the rule of death/corruption, greed, wickedness to the rule of God’s life-giving love.

He has chosen/commissioned us - his special forces - his elite, handpicked, trained, tested followers - to fulfil this purpose. > We go in his presence:

Matthew 28:20 NLT

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Next Steps

SB 932 - The Lord’s command to go into the world and preach the gospel unto all

The Lord?s command to go into the world and preach the gospel unto all, Is just as true today as when his first disciples heard this mighty call; So let us gird ourselves and go to battle ?gainst the powers of sin and wrong, Join the fight for the right, in his everlasting might, and sing our marching song: On we march with the blood and the fire, To the ends of the earth we will go; And the Saviour?s love will be the theme of our song Because we love him so. On we march with the blood and the fire, To the ends of the earth we will go; And the Saviour?s love will be the theme of our song Because we love him so. 2 O?er land and sea the Saviour shows the way to every soul sunk deep in sin; From Calvary?s rugged cross there flows a stream to make the foulest sinner clean; We?ll fill the ranks and, trusting in the God of hosts to lead our mighty throng, Join the fight for the right, in his everlasting might, and sing our marching song: 3 The victory?s sure; we?re trusting in the promise of our Saviour, Lord and King; Lo, I am with you, keeps us free from doubting; to the heavens our praises ring; The whole wide world shall come beneath the sway of Christ; proclaim it loud and long, Join the fight for the right, in his everlasting might, and sing our marching song: Charles Mehling (1889-1969) © The General of The Salvation Army. Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 30158 Copied from The Song Book of The Salvation Army Song Number 932