A Great Commission John 20:21 “Peace Be With You” “So Send I You”

A Great Commission John 20:21 “Peace Be With You” The second saying “so send I you” is linked directly to the first. We must have peace inwardly and outwardly before we can effectively share the Gospel. Peace with God leads to the peace of God which compels us to proclaim the Gospel.

A Great Commission John 20:21 “So Send I You” These words are a command to evangelize. They establish a pattern for us as we go. “as” and “so” Our mission is to be patterned after Jesus. Jesus is the first missionary, and we are to follow.

A Great Commission John 20:21 “So Send I You” What does that pattern look like? We are sent like Jesus was sent – John 17:18.

John 17:18 (ESV) 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

A Great Commission John 20:21 “So Send I You” What does that pattern look like? We are sent like Jesus was sent – John 17:18. This is the principle of incarnation! Becoming one with those with whom we share the Gospel. The first mission pattern is the Gospel in context. This means we must live with, befriend, love, and enter into the experiences of those to whom we are sent. Are you living the Gospel in context?

A Great Commission John 20:21 “So Send I You” Why are we sent into the world? The second mission pattern is the Gospel in purpose – 1 Timothy 1:15.

1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV) 15  The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

A Great Commission John 20:21 “So Send I You” Why are we sent into the world? The second mission pattern is the Gospel in purpose – 1 Timothy 1:15. Our first purpose must be to see others saved! We can’t be satisfied with merely being a witness. Our second purpose must be to see sinners saved – Matthew 9:13!

Matthew 9:13 (ESV) 13  Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

A Great Commission John 20:21 “So Send I You” Why are we sent into the world? Our third purpose is that we must see ourselves as one of those sinners! The fact is we often do not see ourselves that way and so we do not go! Philippians 2:5-8

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV) 5  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

A Great Commission John 20:21 “So Send I You” Why are we sent into the world? Our third purpose is that we must see ourselves as one of those sinners! The fact is we often do not see ourselves that way and so we do not go! Philippians 2:5-8 Are you living the Gospel in purpose? That means that you, as a sinner saved by grace, are actively sharing your faith so that other sinners might be saved?

A Great Commission John 20:21 “So Send I You” What is the goal of this mission? The third mission pattern of the Gospel is to give glory back to God. We are to glorify God in our thoughts, words, and actions. One of the greatest of these is our sharing the Gospel with others – John 17:4-5, 10.

John 17:4-5, 10 (ESV) 4  I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5  And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. 10  All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

A Great Commission John 20:21 “So Send I You” What is the goal of this mission? The third mission pattern of the Gospel is to give glory back to God. We are to glorify God in our thoughts, words, and actions. One of the greatest of these is our sharing the Gospel with others – John 17:4-5, 10. Are you living the Gospel in goal?

A Great Commission John 20:21 Application Are you living the Gospel in context? Are you living the Gospel in purpose? Are you living the Gospel in goal? What kind of Gospel interpreter are you?