1. “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:18-20

2. A clear mandate for evangelism and missions… 1) But everybody’s already got their own beliefs!

3. But note the context Jesus, after the resurrection, saying: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

4. So who is Jesus? “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

5. So who is Jesus? “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rules or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17)

6. So who is Jesus? The one who created the universe for himself God become man Defeated death, Satan and the power of sin Exalted with a name above every name Every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that Jesus is Lord The one who is worthy of all praise and honor, the Lamb who was slain for the sins of the world, the conquering Lord of all. (Revelation 5)

7. So who is Jesus? Not a tribal, ethnic or local God – but the one who has all authority in heaven and on earth.

8. A clear mandate for evangelism and missions… 1) Everybody may have their own beliefs, but Jesus alone is Lord 2) OK, so send out the experts!

9. But note… The point isn’t just for some to go, it’s what will be done as we all go!

10. So, as you are going … 1) Make disciples from all nations 2) Organize and baptize those disciples into communities of believers 3) Teach and train all those baptized disciples to obey everything that Jesus commanded.

11. This did have a geographic dimension The early disciples were witnesses: - Locally in Jerusalem - Provincially in Judea - Regionally in Samaria - Globally to the ends of the earth

12. But note that the “ends of the earth” stuff was first done by ordinary people

13. “A great persecution broke out against the church as Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1). “Those who had scattered preached the word wherever they went.” (Acts 8:4).

14. So don’t just send out the experts. All of us are in the process of coming and going, and as we do this, we are all to be making disciples.

15. A clear mandate for evangelism and missions… 1) Everybody may have their own beliefs, but Jesus alone is Lord 2) So send me out with the experts 3) Fine, but to be honest, I’m rather intimidated by all this.

16. But I’m intimidated… As was Moses when the Lord called him, “I’ve never been much of a public speaker….” (Ex 3-4)

17. So note that the Lord of all promised to go with us. Consider David with Goliath.

18. So note that the Lord of all promised to go with us. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31) “I can do all things – though him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13)

19. A clear mandate for evangelism and missions… 1) Everybody may have their own beliefs, but Jesus alone is Lord 2) So send me out with the experts 3) Fine, but only if God goes with me, as He promised.