A Mission from God

Some sections of the Bible are very familiar. John 3:16; Romans 3:23; Psalm 23……

In my classes I often say that there is a verse we need to take back from the missionaries. Because it seems when we reference this verse there is almost a “Oh, that’s a missions verse”….It is true that every missionary finds great comfort in the great commission…..But as I read these last words of Jesus……I’m struck with how it is THE MISSION….A MISSION FROM GOD…..

We all long to do something significant…something important.

And that’s the Title of the Message this morning….. A Mission from God……

We are going to look at the Points this way…..

A Mission from God Requires………

1. An Encounter with the Resurrected Christ

Jesus said all authority in heaven and earth has been given unto me…..

How…Through the Resurrection..

Luke 24:32 (NIV)

The Men on the Road to Emmaus stated:

32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

The Apostle Peter declared: " Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," (1 Peter 1:3, NIV)

[1]

Paul said in Philippians……"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death," (Philippians 3:10, NIV)

[1]

Later Paul declares the essential reality…..

1 Corinthians 15:14 (NIV)

14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.[1]

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [1]

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.”

A Mission from God Requires………

2. The Making of Disciples

Here is the only command in this passage….not the command to go but the command to make disciples….it could almost read…

1. While You are On Your Way….

a. Baptizing Them in the Name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost

Closing the sale…declaring to the world that I belong to Jesus. Coming to a new kingdom as a new creation and a new master. Keeping it precious! Keeping it alive.

b. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded

On the day of Pentecost…full of the Holy Spirit, one verse describes the new church and it’s activity following a revival of over 3000 people.

" They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42, NIV)

Teaching them by living the life, by involving ourselves in ministry.

A Mission from God Requires………

3. The Assurance of His Presence

Surely I am with you always….even to the end of the age……

When the Christian understands the power of His presence you can do anything…

There is so much to say about these verses. Here is the grand and Great commission of our Lord to His church. Those who are sent to overseas assignments take possession of this verse for understandable comfort and commission, for it certainly is both. But these verses are not limited to vocational ministers, NO! This is what keeps the church alive; the mission of the church to be the light in darkness and the city set on a hill. This Great commission, in the doing of it brings light and life to the members of the Church. More motivated is the childrens worker or the nursery volunteer who has seen a family come to Christ because of their care and ministry. A better preacher and proclaimer is the pastor who sees lives changed in response to the Gospel message. A more magnanimous giver is the one who has turned loose of what he has been steward over, only to see hundred fold return of souls to the kingdom of God as a result...The great commission, in its 3 parts is critical to personal spiritual formation and church health.

First. An Encounter with the Resurrected Christ...whosoever will may come.

Second. The job. Make a disciple, and the method by teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded.

Third. The assurance.....Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.

Praise God. He has given us all the instruction we need. The will of God is clear. The level of our decision and commitment is the only thing yet to be determined.

There is so much to say about these verses. Here is the grand and Great commission of our Lord to His church. Those who are sent to overseas assignments take possession of this verse for understandable comfort and commission, for it certainly is both. But these verses are not limited to vocational ministers, NO! This is what keeps the church alive; the mission of the church to be the light in darkness and the city set on a hill. This Great commission, in the doing of it brings light and life to the members of the Church. More motivated is the childrens worker or the nursery volunteer who has seen a family come to Christ because of their care and ministry. A better preacher and proclaimer is the pastor who sees lives changed in response to the Gospel message. A more magnanimous giver is the one who has turned loose of what he has been steward over, only to see hundred fold return of souls to the kingdom of God as a result...The great commission, in its 3 parts is critical to personal spiritual formation and church health.

First. The Going into all nations...whosoever will may come.

Second. The job. Make a disciple, and the method by teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded.

Third. The assurance.....Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.

Praise God. He has given us all the instruction we need. The will of God is clear. The level of our decision and commitment is the only thing yet to be determined.

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[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version, electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984), Mt 28:18.