Sermon
#92
Title: The Great Commission
Text: Matthew 28:11-20
Readings: Office:
Larry Criss Auditorium:
Bob Poncer
Subject: Our Lord’s Commission to His Church
Date: Tuesday Evening - September 10, 1996
Tape # S-91
Introduction: Matthew 28:11-20
"Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came
into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. (12) And when they were assembled with
the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, (13) Saying, Say ye, His disciples came
by night, and stole him away while we
slept. (14) And if this come to the
governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. (15) So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this
saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. (16) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a
mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
(17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. (18) And Jesus came and spake unto
them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you
alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen."
In this last
paragraph of Matthew’s Gospel the Holy Spirit inspired his servant to relate
several important things to us, matters full of spiritual instruction. The
paragraph begins with a picture of the blind absurdities unbelief will grasp
when the truth of God is willfully rejected. Then Matthew shows us that there
is in the hearts of true believers much weakness and unbelief. Even when the
risen Christ was standing in front of these worshippers “some doubted.” Then
Matthew concludes his Gospel narrative of the life and ministry of our Lord
Jesus Christ by recording for our learning The
Great Commission which our Savior gave to his church just before he
ascended back up into heaven. That will be our subject tonight.
Proposition:
In this great commission our Lord Jesus Christ
shows us that it is the responsibility of his church to preach the gospel to
all men, to baptize those who profess faith in him, and to teach believers to observe,
obey, and keep all that he has commanded and taught.
Divisions:
As we study these verses and seek to understand
those things that are here required of us, I want to call your attention to five
specific things in our text.
1.
The
Conspiracy of the Jews (vv. 11-15)
2.
The
Congregation of Worshippers (vv. 16-17)
3.
The Claim
of the Savior (v. 18)
4.
The
Commission from Our Master (vv. 19-20)
5.
The
Comfort of the Church (v. 20)
I. First, in verses
11-15 Matthew shows us THE CONSPIRACY OF
THE JEWS.
Matthew 28:11-15
"Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the
city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. (12) And when they were assembled with
the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, (13) Saying, Say ye, His disciples came
by night, and stole him away while we
slept. (14) And if this come to the
governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. (15) So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this
saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."
Matthew makes no
comment concerning this conspiracy on the part of the Jews. He simply states it
as a matter of fact. When the chief priests and elders heard from the Roman
soldiers who guarded the Lord’s tomb how that he had in fact risen from the
dead on the third day, they never gave the matter a thought. They were not
interested in knowing the facts. They were not concerned for the details. They
gave not consideration to the evidence. All they wanted to do was to protect
themselves and their positions. Therefore they immediately began what is today
called “spin control.”
They concocted an
unbelievable story. They simply bribed these Roman guards to tell anyone who
asked that “His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept!” That is amazing in itself. But this is even
more amazing - It worked! The Jews who had so willingly followed their blind
leaders swallowed their lie hook, line, and sinker. The lie (A lie that is
totally unbelievable when you understand the consequences of a Roman sentry
sleeping at his post!) was so commonly reported and received that even to this
day Jews and others readily grasp it rather than believing the undeniable
evidence of our Lord’s resurrection.
But these things
should not surprise us at all. The fact is, the prejudice of blind unbelief is so great that it will grasp,
believe, and defend the most ridiculous absurdities rather than bow to and
receive the truth of God, no matter how fully and evidently the truth is
manifested. When God sends blindness upon those who have deliberately
rejected his truth that blindness is inconceivably great!
John 12:37-40
"But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they
believed not on him: (38) That the
saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath
believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? (39) Therefore they could not believe,
because that Esaias said again, (40) He
hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see
with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I
should heal them."
Romans 11:8-10
"(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of
slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;)
unto this day. (9) And David saith,
Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a
recompense unto them: (10) Let their
eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back alway."
2 Thessalonians
2:11-12 "And for this cause God shall send them
strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but
had pleasure in unrighteousness."
There is no end to the folly of otherwise
smart, even brilliant, educated men and women who willfully reject the truth of
God.
·
Rather
than believe that God created all things, as is evident from any basis of
rational judgment, most people believe that all things in creation evolved from
something, though they have no idea what, and that that evolutionary process
began so long ago that no one has any idea when or where. And they believe
these things without so much as a shred of evidence of any kind!
·
Rather
than believe that salvation is by grace alone, in Christ alone, through faith
alone as the Scriptures clearly assert, most people believe that salvation can
be obtained in any way a person chooses to seek it, so long as he is sincere.
And they believe that we who insist upon the gospel of God’s free and sovereign
grace in Christ are divisive, sectarian bigots!
·
Rather
than bowing to the Word of God and the law of God as the standard of right and
wrong, of righteousness and sin, most people are willing to tolerate and even
promote abortion (the murder of unborn infants), euthanasia (the murder of the
weak and sick), homosexuality, fornication, adultery, and pornography in the
name of morality and freedom! In our society those who promote the murder of
babies crusade for the protection of rattlesnakes! Our government forbids the
teaching of God’s Word and his law in our schools and demands the teaching of
homosexuality, lesbianism, and various methods of sexual perversion to our
children in the name of sex education!
I
repeat myself deliberately - There is no
end to the folly of otherwise smart, brilliant, educated men and women who
willfully reject the truth of God.
Isaiah
5:20 "Woe unto them that call evil good, and
good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter
for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
II. Second,
in verses 16 and 17 Matthew describes THE
CONGREGATION OF WORSHIPPERS who gathered in the mount in Galilee to meet
their risen Lord.
"Then the eleven disciples went away into
Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some
doubted."
Judas
was now dead and the Apostle Paul had not yet been converted. So there were
only eleven apostles at this time. They, along with more than five hundred
brethren (1 Cor. 15:6), went into Galilee to meet the Lord as he commanded them
both before and after his resurrection (Matt. 26:32; 28:10). When they saw the
Lord Jesus “they worshipped him: but some doubted.” Even while the risen Christ
stood before them, there were some who doubted. We are not told what they
doubted. Therefore I will not speculate about the matter. But we are plainly
told that some of the Lord’s disciples, some of those five hundred brethren who
were there doubted. I call your attention to this fact because I want you to
understand and to be constantly aware of the fact that God’s saints in this world are sinners still. We are forgiven but
not faultless, pardoned but not perfected, sanctified but not sinless. Faith
and doubt do exist in the same person. We should never have any doubts
concerning matters plainly revealed in the Word of God. But the sad fact is, we
do. In fact, I have serious questions about the honesty of that man or woman
who claims never to have any doubts.
This much I know - There were some on
the mount with the risen Christ who believed and yet doubted. I have had enough
doubts at times to drive a man into utter despair. And the very best of the
best of God’s saints had this same conflict with faith and doubt. Even when he
was imprisoned for the testimony of Christ, John the Baptist had some doubts,
doubts in the teeth of all that he had personally seen and experienced.
Matthew
11:2-3 "Now when John had heard in the prison
the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, (3) And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look
for another?"
These
things are revealed not to excuse or gloss over the horrible evil of doubt and
sin, but to let us know and to re-enforce these three gospel truths. See that
you never lose sight of them. See that you never forget them.
·
God’s
saints in this world are sinners still.
·
Salvation
is by grace alone.
·
Our only
standing and acceptance before God is the blood and righteousness of Christ.
If we truly
understand and believe these things, they will both teach and compel us to be
patient, gentle, long-suffering, and forbearing with one another in times of
weakness and unbelief. The congregation of the Lord in this world is a
congregation of sinners in constant need of grace.
III. Third, I want us to
consider THE CLAIM OF OUR SAVIOR to
sovereignty, power, dominion, and authority over all things as our Lord and
Redeemer.
Matthew 28:18
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given
unto me in heaven and in earth."
This power was
not given to him as God the Son, the second person of the blessed Trinity. That
could never be. As God he is one with the Father and equal to him in all things
from eternity. This power has been given to Christ as our Mediator because of
his obedience unto the Father as our covenant Surety.
Philippians 2:8-11
"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (9) Wherefore God also
hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10) That at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father."
Romans 14:9
"For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he
might be Lord both of the dead and living."
“This is not
usurped power, but what is given him, and what he has right to exercise; having
finished sin, abolished death, overcome the world, and destroyed the devil.” John Gill
A. Our Savior’s power
is the power of absolute, universal monarchy.
He rules all
things everywhere and rules them absolutely. This is what David spoke of in...
Psalms 68:17-20
"The chariots of God are twenty
thousand, even thousands of angels:
the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. (18) Thou hast ascended on high,
thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD
God might dwell among them. (19) Blessed
be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with
benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. (20) He that is our God is the
God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong
the issues from death."
1.
The
Angels of heaven are dispatched by him (Heb. 1:14).
2.
The
Holy Spirit and his gifts of grace are dispensed by him (1 Cor. 12:4-12).
3.
The gifts
of the ministry are distributed by him (Eph. 4:8-16).
4.
The
people and events of this earth are ruled and disposed of by King Jesus.
5.
Indeed,
satan and the very demons of hell can do nothing in the earth but by his
permission and his decree.
B. Our Lord Jesus
Christ exercises this dominion at all times for the salvation of his people.
John 17:2
"As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give
eternal life to as many as thou hast given him."
IV. Fourth, I want us to
understand THE COMMISSION FROM OUR
MASTER that is set before us in verses 19 and 20.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you."
There is
absolutely no question about what the mission and ministry of the church of God
in this world is. Our work is clearly defined and established by our Master.
This commission is not given just to the apostles. It is not given to
preachers, pastors, evangelists, and missionaries. It is a commission given to
the whole church of God. This is not a command to go to mission fields, though
that is certainly included in it. Rather, this is a charge to us all to be
Christ’s witnesses as we go through this world. The text might better be read, “Therefore (since I am Lord) as you are
going into all the world, teach all nations!”
“It is the
bounden duty of every disciple of Christ to do all he can in person, and by
prayer, to make others acquainted with Jesus.” J. C. Ryle
Notice that the
church is here given a threefold responsibility. All three things are our duty.
It is not our duty to perform part of this commission. We are commanded and
responsible to perform the whole thing.
A. First, our Lord commands us to teach, or
make disciples of, all nations.
God has an elect multitude scattered among the nations of the
world. Christ has his sheep everywhere. It is our responsibility to seek them
out. And the only means we have of doing so is by teaching them his gospel.
According to Dr. Gill, the Persic version explains our Lord’s commission most
accurately - “Bring them to my religion
and faith.” You and I are responsible in the generation in which we live to
make known to all men the gospel of Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can regenerate
and save. Only he can give faith in Christ. But we are responsible to tell out
the message of grace. Our message is really threefold:
·
Ruin by
the Fall.
·
Redemption
by the Blood.
·
Regeneration
by the Holy Spirit.
We must make all
men know who Christ is, what he did, why he did it, where he is now, and how
God saves sinners by the merits of his obedience and death as the sinners’
Substitute.
B. Second, we are commanded to baptize all
those who become Christ’s disciples.
The order given is clear. Our Lord does not say baptize all
nations and make them my disciples. He says, Make disciples and baptize them.
Baptism is to be administered only to those who are by their own profession
Christ’s disciples (Acts 8:37).
1.
Baptism
is our confession of faith in Christ - A Burial!
2.
Baptism
is the mark of distinction between believers and the rest of the religious
world.
3.
Baptism
is our oath of allegiance to Christ.
4.
Baptism
is our confessed hope of resurrection glory - A Resurrection from the watery
grave!
5.
Baptism
is and must be by immersion.
6.
Baptism
is to be performed in the name of the holy Trinity, the one true and living
God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
C. Third, it is the responsibility of God’s
church to teach believing sinners all that Christ has commanded us.
We have no right
to invent doctrines. We have no right to dismiss doctrines. We have no right to
hold back doctrines. It is not our responsibility to decide what people need to
hear and know. We are responsible to teach exactly what Christ has commanded us
to teach in his Word - All of it!
·
All the
Doctrines of the Gospel.
·
All the
Duties of Faith and Worship.
·
All the
Responsibilities of Life in this World.
V. Fifth, I want you to
notice briefly THE COMFORT OF THE
CHURCH.
Our Lord Jesus
Christ says to you and me, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Christ encourages
us to be faithful in obeying this commission by assuring us of his presence
with us. He is with us everywhere. He is with us at all times. He is with us
forever.
A.
He is
with us daily to pardon, forgive, and sanctify us.
B.
He is
with us to lead, guide, and protect us.
C. He is with us to provide for us, strengthen us,
and preserve us.
D. He is with us in sorrow and in joy.
E.
He is
with us in trial and in triumph.
F.
He is
with us while we live.
G. He will be with us when we go down to the grave.
H.
He will
be with us forever!
This is our Savior’s
word of promise to his church, to you who believe on him, and to me. And he
will stand by it. “Lo, I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Application:
Since Christ himself is with us...
·
Compromise
is inexcusable.
·
Failure
is impossible.
·
Whole-hearted
devotion to the preaching of the gospel is most reasonable.
Isaiah 55:11
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not
return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall
prosper in the thing whereto I sent
it."
1 Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not
in vain in the Lord."
May God give both
you and me the spirit and consecration of the Apostle Paul that we may in our
generation fulfill the commission given to us by his grace. He testified to the
Ephesian elders...
Acts 20:24
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear
unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which
I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of
God."
Let nothing move
us from the work to which God has called us. Neither let us count our lives
dear unto ourselves, so that we might finish our course with joy, and the
ministry, which we have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of
the grace of God.