The Great Commission

Introduce the Text

Read the Text

Preach the Text

Introduction

This Sunday we celebrate ascension Sunday and the great commission. Acts 1 tells us that after Jesus gives the great commission he ascends into heaven. These events do follow immediately after each other. During this day is when we receive this call to go and preach and teach. While this certainly is important, it is also important to know what tensions will arise when we preach and teach.

Read

Matthew 28:11–20 ESV

11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. 16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Preach

Outline

Introduction

I. The dangers of preaching the Great Commission

a. A call to work based salvation

b. Overlooking Vv. 19-20

c. An over emphasis on V. 20

Exegesis

Two Commissions and Christ’s promise

Introduction

There are certain dangers that come from preaching this text wrongfully.

When preaching this text it can be easy to place a burden on people to have this works based salvation message. (Matthew 13 - parable of the sower. The gospel falls on deaf ears) (Matthew 20 - the laborers in the vineyard. We are called to labor for the gospel)

Another danger is overlooking Vv. 19-20

The last is an over emphasis on V. 20 without the context

Exegesis

Matthew 28:11–12 ESV

11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers

The guards who were tasked with watching the tomb return to tell the Chief Priests what happened. The guards were ordered by Pilate and by failing to keep this order they could face execution. Instead they tell what happened and are given money as a bribe and are told to lie. the lie that they are to tell is that the disciples stole the body of Jesus.

These Roman soldiers who are highly trained are keeping watch over the tomb...

The tomb also would have been sealed, so it would not be easy to open...

It would be difficult for these fisherman disciples to take the body of Jesus without them knowing.

This does not add up.

It does not take into account the angels appearing.

back to V.12… the news that was presented causes the officials to consider the story. They are not quick to assume they are lying and have them killed… The give them money which suggest they might be trying to cover something up.

Matthew 28:13–14 ESV

13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

They add to the deception by adding a cover story.

The Chief Priests and elders have now bribed them and told them to lie which is breaking the law and the ten commandments. These religious leaders would rather break the law and do wrong than admit that Jesus is the Messiah. They have the proof and evidence, but would rather hold to their power and positions of authority.

They say they will satisfy the governor somehow… either by lying or with money.

Matthew 28:15 ESV

15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Even this day Christ is still denied. There is irrefutable proof evidence for Christ and his resurrection, and he is still denied for the sake of receiving the world and what it has to offer instead.

These verses tell us of an attempt to hold on to power. Jesus’ resurrection defies Roman rule and First-Century Jewish authority. Jesus tells us in V.18 that all authority on heaven and earth has been given to him. Pilate and the governor must submit to him. Caesar must submit to him. The Chief Priests must submit to him. Today, the President must submit to hum, and the church must certainly submit to him. If Christ is raised and angels did come to the tomb, then the Jews have to acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah. They must also acknowledge that they handed him over to be killed. Not only do they no submit, they deepen their deception and sin through bribery and lying. This is the first commission. The commission of the world. The commission of the world is to deny Christ, his resurrection, his authority, and his divinity.

Now we come to the second commission; The Great Commission.

Matthew 28:16–17 ESV

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

Some doubted… they physically and literally witnessed Christ life and resurrection and still doubted and Jesus still would call them to go.

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Two Commissions and Christ Promise.