Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This week, we are reminding ourselves of the overarching purpose of our church. This passage has come to be known as the “Great Commission.” Remember, these are some of the very last words Jesus spoke to His disciples. And when you are leaving someone whom you love and have responsibility for, your parting words will not be ones of trivia but of great importance.
I. The Power (Authority) of the Great Commission
Many people when they quote the Great Commission will begin with verse
19: “Therefore go and make disciple……”
Remember when we come to a “therefore” in the Scriptures, we must discipline ourselves to ask: “what’s it there for?” Verse 18, (the verse before the “therefore”), says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” 19 “Therefore go and make disciples…”
No one will be able to obey the command of the Great Commission unless they understand that it is Christ who empowers them. It is He who gives us the authority to do His will.
And we experience His power as we live in worship of Him. Verse 17 “When they saw him, they worshiped him…”
JESUS IS OUR POWER connected to our worship of Him. His authority can flow through us only when we live in worship of Him.
Let’s add another one of Jesus’ last statements:
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
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.”
The authority to do God’s will is from Jesus as His power flows to us by the Holy Spirit.
Since Christ’s power comes through our yielded life of worship, take some time today to give Him praise.
“JESUS IS OUR POWER connected to our worship of Him. His authority can flow through us only when we live in worship of Him.”
Good statement!
Great reminder of how important it is to walk daily w the lord!
Great reminder that we must maintain a close relationship with Christ and worship him to be in the right spirit to share w the world! Empowerment by the Holy Spirit!