Anchored in Truth™ Striving Not to Build 'Great' Churches, but 'True' Churches

2/20/2010

Posted By Ken Askew

Text:  Matthew 28:18-20

“God is glorified in the salvation of sinners.”  To bring folks into the holy service of the Lord is reason enough to evangelize.  The gospel has the power to heal and mend lives.  It has the power to give direction in everything because of what the gospel does to people’s lives and Jesus himself has given us this command that we must either follow in obedience or disobey and consequently live in sin.

It is significant that the Great Commission is the last message that Jesus communicated before he left.  It is likened to the last words of a father to his children.  These words are important.  These are words to remember that will be of great value going forward.  Yet, as important as this command is, its tenants are oft neglected.  Is your church obedient to this command?  We must ask, ‘am I in obedience to this command?’  If not, it is time for a change in order to bring our churches and lives in line with the words of Jesus.

Notice that the word “all” appears four times in this short passage:  All authority has been given to Jesus; we are to make disciples of all nations and teach them to observe all that Jesus commanded.  Finally, Jesus tells us that he is with us all the time; even till the end of time.  Now, when a word appears over and over again in such a short passage, it must be dear to the heart of the speaker.  So this word all must have been dear and meaningful to our Lord.

The two ends of this passage point to the Lord Jesus Christ, like bookends, while the two points in the middle deal with us and our responsibilities.  It is significant that the work begins and ends with Jesus.  By putting our work in the middle, it means we have work yet to do.

All power:  Jesus had already performed many authoritative acts that displayed divine power while he was on earth.  What then does this passage add or emphasize?  Clearly, while he was on earth, he was in a state of humiliation and not in his glory.  This passage then is pointing to Christ’s mediatorial headship; a glorious coming.  This passage is telling us in no uncertain terms that Jesus is in charge; nothing happens without his bidding.  He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Christ sits on a throne now above any other possible authority.  Ultimately, this gives us confidence that his purposes will be realized even as we see persecution and hardship around us.  One day, every knee will bow.

All nations:  Make disciples of all nations; strange and extraordinary words spoken to a small group of uneducated followers.  Basically, Christ is telling them to go and conquer the earth. They were to reach beyond their own people.  It is very comfortable witnessing to our own families and to people in our own comfort zones but the command is to get out of comfort zone and go to all nations.  Look to Genesis 12:2 (the call of Abraham); even there you see that God would show grace to all nations.

If we are negligent in carrying out this command then we are at risk for being irrelevant to the kingdom.  Christ’s command is being carried out in the world before our eyes today.  The question is whether you are playing your role.  Are you following the command of Jesus?  Are you giving your time, talents, even yourself for the sake of the gospel?

All things: Let’s see the people we witness to come forward and take forth the Lord and be identified with him.  Teach them to know, to observe and to obey all things that Christ taught.  This means living a lifestyle as husbands, wives, workmen, and citizens that glorify God and identify you as a Christian.  Our lives must be categorized with good works so that others would see the light and glorify the father.  Too many sermons have been reduced to nothing more than preaching points.

All time:  This speaks of comfort; to know that he (Christ) is with us in a hostile world; but it is more.  The efficient cause of what will be produced through your labors is to be attributed to Christ.  He has said, “I will build my church.”  He who is presently ruling over the whole earth is saying, “I am in charge.”

If we are going to obey the Great Commission, we must have spiritual eyes.   We don’t serve a small God.  We serve a God who will accomplish His purposes.   It is not about us.  It is about Him.  “Let’s not be afraid of the world.  Let’s get out there and conquer.”
Truth Matters articles are available online at www.truthmatters.us.  Comments may be sent to kenaskew@me.com.