Matthew 28:16-20
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Matthew 28:16-20
“But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19″Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Before our Lord Jesus left this world, he gave his disciples a commission that is global in nature. Jesus entrusted his disciples with a mission to evangelize the whole world. The commission that was given to them then is meant for us as well; both individually and corporately. But first to be involved in the mission to evangelize the world, we must take into serious account the divine power for missions, the divine plan for missions, and the divine promise for missions.
We may ask the question, where does our power for missions come from? This leads us to the first point.
1. The Divine Power for Missions. 16-18.
(Mat 28:16-18) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some
doubted.Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
The work of missions is not an easy task. No one could do it by his or her own power. It takes the power of God for anyone to survive any missionary venture. Persons called to this field must be provided with confidence and authority as they venture into this area of ministry. “The power and authority to do what our Lord has commanded are His, not ours…. Christ’s power, presence, and authority gives us the courage and the right to go from place to place sharing the good news of salvation.”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”(Philippians 4:13). If we did not have his power and his command to share the gospel, our efforts to win people for him would be futile.” Jesus knew that his disciples could not function well apart from Him. And now that he is going to leave them physically, he believed that they need his power. In another instance in the book of John, Jesus had told his disciples the following: (John 15:5) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”.
There are three things that we need to know about this divine power for missions that was mentioned in the gospel of Matthew. First, when we are frustrated, powerless and doubtful, the power of God provides us comfort. Jesus had said that some of them were still doubtful. The bible says in (Mat 28:17) When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. He must have seen the sadness and pain on their face, which was occasioned by Jesus’ impending departure from their midst. There is no time when his disciples needed comfort than now. This comfort is provided by the power of God. When you are doubtful and discouraged in missions, rely on the power of God. The bible says, (Prov 29:25) Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
Second the power that is given for this mission is an absolute divine power. Jesus said all authority has been given to me. This was not a few of them but all of them. The power that was promised in the times of old has been given to Jesus. The bible says in (Dan 7:14) He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Third, this power confirms the universal nature of the authority of Jesus. Jesus said all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. The power of Jesus is universal. Jesus is omnipotent. The power of Jesus is all you will ever need as you do missions in this sin-tainted and demon-infested world. If you have ever been afraid, come to Jesus and rely on his power. In Acts 1:8, Jesus told his disciples about the coming of this power that came in the Holy SPIRIT at Pentecost. That power resides in every believer today. The Holy Spirit is all that you will ever need to evangelize the world without fear. You would recall that before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they receive the power from on high. He puts it this way (Acts 1:4) …”Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. In verse 8 of the same passage, the bible recorded the following instruction made by Jesus. He said, (Acts 1:8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The authority of Jesus that is presented here formed the basis for the commission. Note that the word power translated in Greek is dynamos which is dynamite in English. Dynamites are explosives, isn’t it? Jesus is saying, I will give you dynamite power. A power that supercedes any power in the world. A power that is not under any subjection of any king or kingdom.
A power that is not controllable by the demonic forces of this world. A power that is wrought by the Holy Spirit of God. We should note four things about these instruction ogiven by our Lord Jesus Christ. First, it contains a promise. Second, it identifies the power for witnessing which is the Holy Spirit of God. Third, it enables us to know the purpose of the Holy Spirit advent. Lastly, it identifies the places where we are to carry out our missions. We are to begin locally, then nationally, and then internationally.
Having assured his disciples of this power for the task ahead, he then gave them the mandate that they are supposed to carry out. This tells us something about God. Before he gives us a task he will equip us ahead of such responsibility.
2. The Divine Plan For Mission. 19
(Mat 28:19) 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,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”
Jesus gave his disciples a mandate to move out of their immediate domain to do missions. A missionary is one sent