"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
The Great Commission (28:16-20)
INTRODUCTION
- The gospel of Matthew ends with Jesus meeting with His apostles in
Galilee...
- Foretold by Jesus before His betrayal - Mt 26:31-32
- Announced by both an angel and Jesus after His resurrection - Mt
28:7,10
- It was a meeting filled with mixed emotions - Mt 28:16-17
- Seeing Jesus, they worshipped Him
- Yet some were doubtful
- It is unlikely this refers to the apostles, for they had seen
Jesus earlier - cf. Jn 20:19-20,24-29
- This may have been the occasion where over 500 saw Him at
once, and some may have wondered what they were seeing - cf.
1Co 15:6
- It was a meeting in which Jesus gave His disciples a command - Mt
28:18-20
- To make disciples of all the nations
- Baptizing and teaching them
-- Ending with a promise to always be with them
[This command is commonly called "The Great Commission". As we take a
few moments to look at it more closely, we may better understand what
was so "great" about it...]
- GREAT IN ITS AUTHORITY
- JESUS HAS BEEN GIVEN "ALL AUTHORITY"...
- As the Creator, He had the original right to all things - Co
1:16-17
- As our Redeemer, even more so! - Php 2:6-11
- "ALL AUTHORITY" BOTH IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH...
- He now rules in the heavenly realm - 1Pe 3:22; Ep 1:20-23
- He also rules over the kings of the earth! - Re 1:5; Ps 2:1-12; 110:1-6
- WITH "ALL AUTHORITY" IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH...
- Jesus certainly deserves our obedience to Him as Lord - Ac 2:36; Lk 6:46
- Jesus certainly can deliver on His promises - 2Pe 1:2-5
[On the basis of such great authority, Jesus gives "The Great
Commission". As we continue, we notice that it is...]
- GREAT IN ITS MISSION
- THEY WERE TO "MAKE DISCIPLES"...
- The KJV says "teach", the Greek word means "to make disciples"
- Thus they were to make "learners", "adherents", "imitators" of
Jesus Christ
- Jesus had been inviting people to become His disciples all
along - Mt 4:18-22; 11:28-30
- He expected His disciples to become like Him - Lk 6:40
- HOW THEY WERE TO "MAKE DISCIPLES"...
- First, by "baptizing them" in the name of the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit
- A baptism for the remission of sins - Ac 2:38; 22:16
- A baptism in water - Ac 8:35-38; 10:47-48
- A burial - Ro 6:3-6; Col 2:11-12
- Then by "teaching them to observe all things" He had commanded
- Baptism is only the beginning, teaching must continue
- Such was the case with the early disciples - Ac 2:41-42
-- Both baptism and ongoing teaching is essential to true
discipleship!
[We should also observe concerning "The Great Commission" that it
was...]
- GREAT IN ITS SCOPE
- IT IS FOR "ALL NATIONS"...
- They were to go into all the world, and preach to every
creature - Mk 16:15
- They were to be witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth
- Ac 1:8
- FOR "ALL NATIONS", NOT JUST ISRAEL...
- With the Limited Commission, it was just for Israel - Mt 10:5-6
- Now the Gentiles (all nations) could become fellow-heirs - Ep
2:11-22
- FOR "ALL NATIONS", NOT JUST OUR OWN...
- Jesus would have us think "globally", not just locally
- While we should be mindful of our local community, we should
also be thinking of those abroad
[Finally, we note concerning "The Great Commission" that it is...]
- GREAT IN ITS PROMISE
- "I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS"...
- A promise similar to those Jesus made earlier:
- To His apostles - Mt 18:20
- To those who keep His commandments - Jn 14:18-23
- A promise similar to those God gave to:
- Moses - Exo 3:11-12
- Joshua - Josh 1:5
- The nation of Israel - Isa 41:10
- A promise that ought to provide much comfort when oppressed
- Ro 8:31-38; He 13:5-6
- "EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE"...
- Even to the time when:
- The Great Harvest will occur - Mt 13:39-43
- The wicked shall be separated from the just - Mt 13:49
- Throughout this Christian age or dispensation, Jesus will
forever be with His disciples
- As they go into all the world
- Making more disciples
CONCLUSION
- Is "The Great Commission" limited just to the apostles?
- Note well that disciples were to "observe all things that I
commanded you"
- What did Jesus just command the apostles? (Go therefore and make
disciples...)
- Future disciples were to observe all commands, including this
one!
-- Therefore "The Great Commission" is a commission to the church as
well!
- Do we honor "The Great Commission" in our lives? We do if we are...
- Submitting to the authority of Jesus
- Working to make disciples of Jesus
- Striving to make disciples in all the nations of the world
- Abiding in His Word and thereby ensuring His abiding presence in
our lives
Shortly after giving "The Great Commission", Jesus ascended to heaven
(Ac 1:9-11). His earliest disciples took that commission and did
great things with it.
May these words of Jesus motivate us to do great things in our service
to Him also!