THE MAGNIFICENT MISSION

Texts:  Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-20; Luke 24:44-53.

Purpose: To stir appreciation for the great work of sharing the gospel, by a study of "the great commission" in its various is contexts. To inspire zeal for sharing Christ today as individual Christians and as the collective Church.

Introduction

"The Great Commission" is no new topic for sermon or study. Since the founding days of the church, these words of the Lord have motivated and challenged His people to bear the gospel to every land. Two elements in these passages have not always been made so plain, however, and this lesson will focus on these.

First is the fact that the commission is stated in different forms in each of the three synoptic or parallel Gospels. Perhaps no violence is done in "adding diagonally" these accounts to produce a "sum" of their message. At the same time, such a method fails to do justice to their unique distinctives and perspectives. Here we will look at the commission according to Matthew, Mark and Luke, with the aim of learning each emphasis, context and point of view.

Second is the specific connection between the commission, in all three Gospels, and the beginning of its historic fulfillment in Acts chapter two. We will see the close intentional tie between commission and fulfillment, particularly in the case of Luke, who consciously joins the story of the earthly Jesus (Gospel of Luke) with the story of His Spirit-led people after His own ascension and glorification (Acts of the Apostles).

Body

I. The commission recorded in three Gospels.

   A. Matthew 28:16-20 - Focus on the Apostles as ambassadors of the risen Lord.

        1. As one having authority, Jesus commissions His apostles to be ambassadors in His name (28:16-18).

        2. He commissions them to do three things as they "go." They are to "disciple-ize" (make disciples, gather learners), to baptize those who become disciples (learners, followers), and to further catechize (instruct) them after their baptism. This commission account is from the standpoint of the apostles and their work.

       3. Jesus promises His presence (in John 14:16-20 we learn how He would be present: by the representation of the indwelling Holy Spirit), throughout the Messianic Age or the Christian dispensation ("till the end of the world/age"). This implies that the new Era of fulfillment would have begun when the Apostles did their work.

   B. Mark 16:14-20 - Focus on the reception by the Apostles' hearers.

        1. The apostles are to evangelize every creature, to announce the good news of God's saving work in Jesus Christ at the fullness of time.

        2. Those who hear have two choices. They may believe, in which case they are to be baptized. These have the promise of salvation. Or they may disbelieve, in which case they remain in their sins and condemned. Jesus did not envision a situation in which people would profess belief yet hesitate to be baptized. In the New Testament the two are inseparable, as root and fruit.

       3. The New Age is again implied, this time by the presence of signs which herald its arrival, confirming the gospel word of fulfilled prophecy.

   C. Luke 24:44-53 - Focus on Old Testament fulfillment.

        1. The Old Testament word of God has been fulfilled in Jesus, and the time of Messianic blessing has arrived. All that God had promised about His Messiah has happened in Jesus. The Christ has suffered, and He has risen from the dead the third day, just as every part of the Old Testament had said.

        2. Through Christ's work, God offers men repentance and remission of sins. The invitation is to go out from Jerusalem, but it is to reach the Gentiles as well.

        3. The Apostles are personally eye-witnesses of these things, and Jesus promises them heavenly power for accomplishing their ambassadorship in this commission.

II. The Apostles begin fulfilling their commission in Acts chapter two. Each element mentioned in Matthew, Mark and Luke reappears in the account of Pentecost. On that day the Messianic Era begins with power, and salvation is first offered through the finished work of Jesus Christ.

   A. Signs attract attention and confirm the message about to be given (2:3-12).

   B. The New Age has arrived, in fulfillment of prophecy (2:16-21).

   C. Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, and He has fulfilled all Scriptures concerning Himself (2:22-32).

   D. God has given Jesus all authority (2:33-36).

   E. The hearers are faced with a choice in view of this message (2:37).

   F. They are told to repent and be baptized to receive forgiveness of sins in Jesus' name (2:38,39).

   G. Those who believed were baptized, and the Apostles continued to teach them, as Jesus had directed (2:41-47).

Conclusion

What began on Pentecost still continues. The same Christ offers the same salvation on the same free basis of faith, repentance and baptism. You have the same choice to make and the same Messianic blessings freely await all nations.

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