The Ends of the Earth

Today is the last week of this series, “Hooked”. My prayer is that each week you have more of a desire to reach the lost than ever before. Our time on this earth is short and we need to do what we can to be disciple makers. God is wanting to use each of you to go into the world and that is what our text is about today.

1 Timothy 2:4 tells us that God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

The only way that will happen is if you are obedient to God’s Word and you go and tell everyone you know the truth that God loves them and wants them to surrender their life over to Him.

Last week, we looked at God’s calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John. They were on the shores with their fishing crews and Jesus comes along and tells them that He was going to make them fishers of men.

I’m not going to go into much details about everything that happened next. If you want to read that story, then take some time and read the 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. There is lots of good stuff there for you to read and study. It will give you a more detailed look at Jesus and the disciples relationship. Three of those Gospels were written from a disciples point of view and it would be well worth your time to read those books. If you are reading through the Bible with us, those books are coming up soon. But I want to look at the final words that Jesus spoke to the disciples before He ascended into Heaven.

Go with me to Matthew 28 and Acts 1, hold those 2 spots and go first to John 16.

As Jesus was preparing to leave this earth, He is giving His disciples some instructions. He is also spending some time encouraging them.

If any of you are like me, you don’t like it when you have to leave friends and family. Like when you go on vacation and you go to see a friend or family member on that vacation or when a friend or family member come to see you on their vacation. You hate to see them go or you hate to say goodbye. You look forward to the next time that you get to see them. Jesus is preparing His disciples here for His departure. Look at verse 7.

John 16:7 NIV

7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

The word Advocate here is used for The Holy Spirit. If you look up the word advocate you will find this definition.

advocate - a person who acts as a spokesperson or representative of someone else’s policy, purpose, or cause; especially before a judge in a court of law.

The Holy Spirit has come to continue on what Jesus Christ started many years ago. He is Christ’s representative living amongst us now. Walking with us each step of the way. Jesus was telling His disciples that it was very important that He go away so the advocate could come. It is important that we have the Holy Spirit with us.

Now, go with me to the last chapter of the book of Matthew chapter 28. Let’s begin reading at verse 18.

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Look first at what Jesus says in verse 18. He lets His disciples know that He has been given all the authority in heaven and on earth.

The Greek word for authority is exousia (ex-oo-see’-ah). It can refer to a state of control over something. It can also indicate a potential to command, control, or govern. Further, it can point to a right to control or command. The word can also refer to a sphere in which power is exercised or to a means of exercising power.

So, Jesus had been given full power to tell them what He was about to tell them. He wanted them to do three things when He left. He wanted them to

Go and Make Disciples

Baptize them

Teach Them to Obey

Now, go to Acts 1:8 and see what He tells them.

Acts 1:8 NIV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Greek word for power is dynamis (doo’-nam-is). This is the same word that we get our English word dynamite. It is that kind of power. Jesus gave them the authority to go and the Holy Spirit is going to provide them with the power to go.

Jesus has given us the authority to go just like His disciples and that same power that lived in the disciples is living in us today.

And where did that power take them?

1. Jerusalem

Jerusalem was their home. That would’ve included their neighbors, their local bakery, butcher shop, their banker, you get the picture. Jesus was getting personal with them. These would be the people that they would come in contact with on a daily basis. The people they associated with on a regular basis. But it didn’t stop there. Next He told them Judea and Samaria.

2. Judea and Samaria

Judea was the region surrounding Jerusalem, it might have even included Galilee. Samaria was Judea’s hostile next-door neighbor, a more difficult but equally important place to take the gospel. These places were a days journey, maybe more or less, away from Jerusalem. It might be like us traveling to Little Rock or Tulsa. Maybe even up to Fayetteville.

3. The Ends of the Earth

This probably referred to Rome or the Roman Empire, the world power at that time. So, it would represent the rest of the world. And you can see that they did it.

If you look at the book of Acts and you look at each of the chapters you can see them spreading the Gospel message in this order. Acts chapters 1-7 they are making disciples in Jerusalem. In Acts chapters 8-12 they are making disciples in Judea and Samaria. And then in Acts Chapter 13-28 they are going to the rest of the world. They were fulfilling the calling that Jesus had placed on them. And the Holy Spirit was giving them the power to go and do what Jesus had given them the authority to do.

Maybe you are asking, Pastor, I can probably reach my neighborhood and my family and even people that I run into in town, but how am I going to reach the other parts, like Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth. My answer to you is missions. That is why it is so important that we give to missions. We may not be able to physically go but I can give so that someone else can go. Sure, there may be opportunities to go on a short term missions trip, but if not I can give money so that God’s Word goes to the ends of the earth.

Everyone of us are very different in our passions and the causes that move us to action. Our differences are wonderful and God given, but it’s also important to remember we have the same goal. We are all to participate in the spreading of the gospel net.

Have you ever thought that life would be so much easier if everyone were just like you? Or maybe you’ve had the opposite revelation: life would be so bland and flavorless if everyone were exactly the same.

Whatever you think, diversity is a reality. And not just a small thing, but a God-ordained and designed fact of life. A fact designed to be a blessing, not a curse. You look differently than others, think differently, feel differently, respond differently, you are immersed in diversity every day of your lives. And it’s all for the glory of God.

Look at what Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 NIV

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

The Lord is working in and through our diversity. And all of it is for the common good. Of course this “good” includes things like loving others, forgiveness, reconciliation, justice, and service. But the primary goal of all believers is to spread the kingdom net and share the gospel invitation with others.

Part of our diversity is our unique gifting and ability to be a part of God’s plan. Look at what Paul says in Romans.

Romans 12:5–8 NIV

5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Whatever your gifting is do it to the best of your ability. It is all needed and necessary in the kingdom of God. And, if we are going to spread the kingdom net to the furthest reaches of humanity, we’re going to need everyone, with all their diverse gifts and abilities involved. This job is way too big and too difficult for any one of us to try and accomplish alone. The good news is we have Jesus Christ interceding for us, we have the Holy Spirit walking with us and we have each other working with each of us.

I want you to look again at Matthew 28, but this time I just want to read verse 20 again.

Matthew 28:20 NIV

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Look at that last sentence. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus never leaves us. He ascended that day into Heaven, but before He did, He reminded them that He was going to always be with them.

I want to show you something real quickly. Go to Matthew chapter 1.

Matthew 1:23 NIV

23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Jesus came to this earth, was given the name Immanuel which means “God with us” and He is leaving this earth telling us that even though He is not physically seen with us He is still here with us. We are not alone. We have everything we need. We just have to go.

Conclusion

I want to conclude with this. Last week I told you about the calling of Peter. He was in the boat with his brother Andrew casting their nets in the lake when Jesus called out to them with those eleven words that changed their life forever. “Come, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Now, let me take you to one more final story with Peter before Jesus ascends.

This story is found in John chapter 21. Some of the disciples had been fishing all night and they had caught nothing. As the sun was coming up, Jesus appeared on the shore, though they did not recognize Him at first. Jesus asks them about their catch and when they confessed that they had caught nothing, He told them, “Put your net on the right side of the boat. They followed His directions and almost immediately their nets filled with fish.

When the disciples got their boat to land, Jesus had a fire going and some fish frying over it. He asked them to bring over some of their fish and join Him for breakfast. And when they had finished eating, Jesus asked Peter a question. He said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” And Peter replied, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Then Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

But Jesus wasn’t done with this conversation and asked the question again, “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me?” And this time Peter answered the same way, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” And immediately Jesus responded, “Take care of my sheep.” And asked the same question again.

This time Peter was hurt that Jesus would ask him this question three times. And so Peter affirmed, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Again Jesus said, “feed my sheep” and reemphasized the necessity of feeding His sheep, Jesus told Peter what love would cost in obedience.

By focusing on this truth in the discourse, Jesus brought out the underlying question in Christian service.

And although He spoke to Peter, His words were uttered in the hearing of the other disciples and could just as well be directed to everyone who would follow Him. You can hear Him call your name, as He asks, “Greg, John, Bill, Lisa, do you truly love me?”

Notice that in this conversation Jesus is the object of love. It wasn’t a creed or a church. It wasn’t even a religion. Jesus asks, “Do you love me?”

Think about this, Jesus has purchased our redemption in His own blood and freely offers every blessing of grace to all who come unto God through Him. “Simon, do you love me?”

There was a good reason to ask. Not long before, Peter had denied the Lord three times. The memory of that tragic failure was doubtless awakened by the 3 repeated question, just as the fire must have reminded him of that night in the palace courtyard, when he swore that he was not a friend of Jesus.

Yes, Peter had repented and wept bitterly, but Jesus’ question is not, “How much do you regret the past?” not, “How many tears have been shed?” but it is “Do you love me?” It is His preeminence in our hearts that makes the other expressions acceptable.

Or the words might be taken to mean, “Do you love me more than these things?. More than the comforts of home, more than the acclaim of a good reputation, more even than the work you are doing for Him. Not that these things are undeserving of love, but Jesus expects to be loved more. The giving of Himself for you precludes any rival to your devotion. You may not amount to much, but whatever you are, He wants all of it.

It is interesting that on the last occasion, when Peter affirmed his love, he added: “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” With his memory of past failure, he could not appeal to his record, but he could appeal to His Lord’s understanding.

And that is a comfort to us. Jesus knows all about it. We don’t have to explain our situation to Him. In His infinite knowledge, He interprets the thoughts and intents of the heart. He knows when we truly love Him.

Though we continually make errors in judgment and fall short of our desire to be like Jesus, still in our hearts we can do the best we know to please Him. Can you appeal to His perfect understanding today, as Peter did, and say with all your soul, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You”?

But we have to show it in more than just words. Each time that Peter confessed his love, Jesus says, “Feed my sheep.” Jesus was showing Peter that love overflows in the ministry to the world.

Our love for Christ cannot be self-contained. It comes from God and has to be shared. It is the kind of love that would not let us go.

Romans 5:8 NIV

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Calvary is His witness. Do you remember reading that as He was hanging on the cross the unbelievers mocked Him saying, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself.” The irony is that in their derision the scoffing crowd said the truth. Of course, He could not save Himself. That was the point, He had not come to save Himself, but He came to save us.

Luke 19:10 NIV

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Matthew 20:28 NIV

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Just as He was sent into the world, now He sends us.

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 NIV

14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

His mission in the flesh now accomplished, Jesus tells His disciples to take care of those for whom He gave His life. People are likened to sheep that are lost without a shepherd. Left to themselves, there is no hope of recovery. Someone with the heart of Christ must go to them, tell them the gospel, and lead them to the fold of salvation.

That is you and I. We are to go. We are to Make disciples. We are to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And teach them to obey. So, therefore, we must go.