A Call for Missional Living of All Christ-followers Missions Awareness Month Series, Part 2 Matthew 28:16-20 March 9, 2014 Pastor Paul K. Kim

Matthew 28:16-20 [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. 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.”

WHY IS THE GREAT COMMISSION SO IMPORTANT? It is the LAST WORDS of our Lord Jesus (Matt. 28:18-20). It is not a suggestion but a COMMAND of Christ, our Commanding Officer (2 Tim. 2:3-4). It is still true that people are LOST without Christ (John 14:6). It is given to ALL CHRIST-FOLLOWERS without an exception (Acts 1:8; Matt. 9:37-38).

HOW DOES THE GREAT COMMISSION COMPEL US TO ACTIVELY OBEY? 1)Who gave the Great Commission? Jesus Christ with all authority in heaven and on earth. 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...” (vs )

The Uniqueness of Jesus in History Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Mohammed and Napoleon. Without science and learning, He shed more light on things human and divine than all the philosophers and scholars combined. Without the eloquence of schools, He spoke words of life such as were never spoken before nor since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet. Without writing a single line, He has set more pens in motion and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, works of art, learned volumes, and sweet songs of praise than the whole army of great people of ancient and modern time. Born in a manger, crucified as a malefactor, He controls the destinies of the civilized world and rules a spiritual empire that encircles the globe. ― Phillip Schaff

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8-10 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

HOW DOES THE GREAT COMMISSION COMPEL US TO ACTIVELY OBEY? 1)Who gave the Great Commission? Jesus Christ with all authority in heaven and on earth. 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...” (vs )  It was Jesus our Savior and Lord who gave us the Great Commission—there is no other name given for salvation.  ALL authority over the universe and people was given to Jesus Christ as a result of his obedience to the Father.  If so, we have the authority of Christ the King who has power over all peoples and cultures of the earth!

HOW DOES THE GREAT COMMISSION COMPEL US TO ACTIVELY OBEY? 2)Why was the Great Commission given? So that Christ’s gospel and kingdom would reach to the end of the earth. 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...” (vs a) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16  God’s sovereign plan to bless the all peoples through Abraham’s seed is revealed in the Great Commission.  This is the central mission given to all Christ-followers: making disciples of all nations—until his second coming.  Hence, we love Christ and our neighbor by obeying this!

HOW DOES THE GREAT COMMISSION COMPEL US TO ACTIVELY OBEY? 3)What promise was given with the Great Commission? That Jesus would be with us to the end of the age. “... And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”(v. 20b) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8  His promise to be with us is not only for good, fruitful times but also for bad, suffering times.  This means we are NOT going alone—we are going with the presence of Christ wherever we go in his name.  Hence, we must be bold and unashamed of the gospel of Christ and his cause.

HOW DOES THE GREAT COMMISSION COMPEL US TO ACTIVELY OBEY? 4)How, then, should we respond? By Active Obedience to the Great Commission [= Missional Living]. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15  We ought to take a decisive step toward active obedience to the Great Commission and live missionally.  We ought to GO to our backyard and to the end of the earth in order to make disciples of all peoples.  We ought to take an active part with our treasures, talents, and time in helping to fulfill the Great Commission.  We ought to partner with other Christ-followers synergistically to help fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ!

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.In what ways are you convinced more about your need for active obedience to the Great Commission [missional living]? 2.How will you respond to Lord Jesus’ last words, “Go make disciples of all nations”? What is your first step? 3.In what practical ways can you help fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ synergistically as a member of CrossWay Church?