WEBVTT
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And please open up your Bibles to Matthew chapter 28, verses 16 to 20.
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! Matthew chapter 28, verses 16 to 20.
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Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word.
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Heavenly Father, whether we have a building or not,
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rain or shine, we have gathered in your name to honor you,
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to worship you, to be taught from your word,
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that we might be your faithful disciples
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for as long as we are here on earth,
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making disciples of all nations.
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So, Lord, please speak to us,
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address us by the power of your Holy Spirit
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in your word.
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Lord, reveal to us the wondrous things in your word
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and conform us to it, shape us with it,
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all for the glory of your name.
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In Jesus' name we pray.
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Amen.
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If you are able, please stand.
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Let's honor God together as we read from the word.
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Matthew 28, verses 16 to 20.
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Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee,
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to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
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And when they saw him, they worshipped him.
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But some doubted.
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And Jesus came and said to them,
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All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
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Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
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baptizing them in the name of the Father
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and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
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teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
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And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.
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This is God's holy and authoritative word.
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Please be seated.
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We're not doing anything special to celebrate this this year,
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but it is our 11th anniversary since our church's founding.
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And it's as good a Sunday as any to ask ourselves,
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why do we exist as a local church?
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What's our reason for being?
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What's our purpose?
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What's our mission?
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Do we exist to be a force for good in our society,
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in our city, in our neighborhood?
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Do we exist to create a loving community of Christians in Cambridge
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where we can all belong together?
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Why do we exist?
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In our passage this morning, Jesus answers that question.
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The Great Commission, as it has come to be known,
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is found in its essential form in all four Gospels
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and in the Book of Acts.
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It's a climactic command that Jesus issues to all his followers
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shortly before his ascension.
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And because these are his last words, his parting words,
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and because they succinctly summarize all of the Gospels
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and the direction and the directive of the four Gospels,
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many have called this the marching orders of the church.
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And so my main point this morning is simple.
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Make disciples of Jesus Christ.
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If I could expand that a little bit,
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I could say that the universal authority of Jesus enables us to make disciples of Jesus,
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make disciples of Jesus among all the nations.
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I'm going to talk first about all authority that Jesus says that he has,
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and then about all nations, and then all commands,
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and then all the days that Jesus commands us to do this.
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Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph,
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have informed Jesus' 11 remaining disciples that the risen Jesus will meet them in Galilee.
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So it says in verse 16 that now the 11 disciples went to Galilee
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to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
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Apparently, either they were in the habit of meeting Jesus in this mountain in Galilee,
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or Jesus had specifically instructed them to meet him at this mountain.
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They know where to go, and they're expecting to meet the risen Jesus.
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And they're not disappointed.
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It says in verse 17,
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And when they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted.
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Since verse 18 tells us that Jesus came to them,
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it seems that the disciples spotted Jesus from a distance away,
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and out of awe, and they started to worship him immediately,
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and Jesus then comes near them, approaches them.
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And so when they're worshipping him and falling before him like this,
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they're recognizing that Jesus is not merely human.
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He's divine.
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They're bowing before him, prostrating themselves in worship,
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in acknowledgement of his supreme worth and glory.
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But they are not entirely without doubts.
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It says that some doubted.
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And the word translated doubt here also means to hesitate.
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It's the same word that was used in chapter 14
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when Peter stepped out in faith to walk on water toward Jesus.
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And he had faith to do that.
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But as soon as he started seeing the winds
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and the stirring up of the waves,
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he says that he doubted.
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Jesus says to him,
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Oh, you of little faith, why did you doubt?
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So the disciples worshipped Jesus after seeing the risen Lord,
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but some doubted.
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Some of them were afraid.
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Some of them were doubtful.
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They had little faith.
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Sure, there was excitement, anticipation,
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but there was also hesitation.
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Can this really be Jesus?
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Did he really rise from the dead?
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Is he really the son of God who has taken on human flesh?
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It's remarkable that their doubt is mentioned here at all.
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If you are writing a book to convince people that Jesus is the Christ,
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the son of God,
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who is risen from the dead,
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which is the gospel of Matthew,
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would you include a statement saying that his disciples,
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his own disciples that have been with him all along,
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doubted after his resurrection?
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Probably not.
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But Matthew includes it here because it's true.
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It's what happened.
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Though they should have had more faith,
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some of them doubted,
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and that fact in turn encourages us,
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those of us who sometimes doubt.
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Do you ever wrestle with doubts
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and questions that you have no answer to?
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Jude 1.22 commands us,
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have mercy on those who doubt.
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We are commanded to do precisely what Jesus does
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for his disciples in this passage.
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When Jesus saw how some of his disciples doubted,
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he didn't condemn them out of exasperation.
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How can you still doubt me after all that you've seen?
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Calming of the storms,
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defeating of the 5,000,
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now rising from the dead,
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and you still doubt me.
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Away from me, you faithless generation.
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He could have said that,
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but he didn't say that.
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Instead, he showed them mercy.
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A bruised reed he will not break,
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and a smoldering wick he will not quench.
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Some of the disciples doubted,
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but still they heeded the message of Mary,
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and Mary, they still showed up
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on the mountain in Galilee, didn't they?
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Yes, some of you doubt,
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but aren't you still here this Sunday morning
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to worship God?
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Aren't you still listening to
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and believing the message of the gospel?
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Do not be disheartened by your doubts.
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Continue in your faith,
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seeking understanding,
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and persevere in faith and obedience,
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knowing that Jesus, our Lord, is merciful.
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It seems that the combination of fear and awe
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is what kept them away,
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but Jesus approaches them,
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and imagine this scene
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as Jesus steps toward them
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and draws near to them
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and makes this pronouncement.
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This is the first time
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they're seeing the risen Lord.
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It says,
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We see four phrases with the adjective all
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in these verses,
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indicating the comprehensiveness
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of this great commission.
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All authority,
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all nations,
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all commands,
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and all ways,
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or more literally,
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all the days.
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This is a fulfillment
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of the prophecy of Daniel 7, 13-14.
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Remember,
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Jesus most often refers to himself
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in the gospels as the son of man,
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and that prophecy in Daniel 7 says,
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The son of man approaches
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the ancient of days,
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the Lord God,
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and he's given all authority
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and glory and dominion and power
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so that all peoples
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and nations and languages
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should serve him.
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So all authority,
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all nations,
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and he says his dominion
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is an everlasting dominion
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which shall not pass away,
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and his kingdom,
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one that shall not be destroyed.
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In other words,
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all ways,
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all the days.
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This is the fulfillment
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of the prophecy of Daniel 7.
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All authority,
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all nations,
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all commands,
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all the days.
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First,
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we see the universal authority
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of Jesus in verse 18.
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All authority in heaven
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and on earth
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has been given to me.
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If you remember in chapter 4
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when Satan came to Jesus
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to tempt him,
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he showed him,
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he took him to a mountain,
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a high mountain,
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showed him all the kingdoms
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of the world
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and their glory,
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and he offered it to Jesus.
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He said,
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All these I will give you
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if you will fall down
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and worship me.
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And Jesus rebuffed him
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and then,
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and it said,
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Be gone,
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Satan,
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for it is written,
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you shall worship the Lord
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your God
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and him alone
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shall you serve.
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Now,
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having obeyed God the Father
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and having fulfilled
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his mission to seek
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and save the lost
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by giving his life
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on the cross
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as a ransom for many,
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Jesus once again
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stands upon a mountain.
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But this time,
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it's not Satan
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who offers him authority,
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it's the Father
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who has given him authority.
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And this time,
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it's not authority
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on earth only,
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it's authority
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on heaven and earth
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because Jesus
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has been faithful
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and Jesus has obeyed
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and humbled himself
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before his Father.
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Governor Mara Healy
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of Massachusetts
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has the legal authority
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to grant pardons
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to state criminals,
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but she cannot pardon
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federal criminals
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because she doesn't have
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that authority.
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It's beyond her jurisdiction.
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President Donald Trump
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could not fly
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the U.S. aircraft
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through France
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and into France airspace
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during recent military operations
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because the government of France
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didn't give him permission
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because he doesn't have authority,
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jurisdiction in France.
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He only has authority
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within the United States of America.
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But Jesus Christ
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has no such limitations.
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He has all authority
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in heaven
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and on earth.
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Whether it's in the U.S.
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or the U.K.,
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Russia or China,
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Iran or Pakistan
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or Nigeria
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or Sudan
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or Cuba
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or Venezuela,
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wherever you go,
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Jesus is king
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and he has all authority.
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Whether you live
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in a red state
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or a blue state,
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whatever school you go to,
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whatever company you work for,
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Jesus is king
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and he has all authority
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in heaven and on earth.
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Are there disobedient rebel forces
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at work throughout the world?
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Yes, of course.
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But that doesn't change
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the fact,
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the reality
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that Jesus is king
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overall
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and that all authority
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in heaven and on earth
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belongs to him.
00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.160
Jesus is seated
00:12:40.160 --> 00:12:41.259
at the right hand of God
00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.060
in the heavenly places
00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:43.520
far above all rule
00:12:43.520 --> 00:12:44.040
and authority
00:12:44.040 --> 00:12:45.000
and power and dominion
00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.080
and above every name
00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:46.759
that is named,
00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:47.920
not only in this age
00:12:47.920 --> 00:12:49.580
but also in the one to come.
00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:52.259
From the archangel Michael
00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.879
to Satan himself,
00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:55.400
no angel or demon
00:12:55.400 --> 00:12:56.040
can thwart
00:12:56.040 --> 00:12:57.540
the progress,
00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.180
the fulfillment
00:12:58.180 --> 00:12:59.180
of this great commission
00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:00.300
because Jesus has
00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:00.980
all authority
00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.900
in heaven and on earth.
00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:05.240
All proper divinely appointed
00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:06.400
authorities in the world,
00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:06.980
fathers,
00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:07.820
elders,
00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:08.639
governors,
00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:09.240
kings,
00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:10.540
their authority
00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:11.340
is all derivative.
00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.440
They derive their authority
00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:14.160
from God
00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:15.120
and have no authority
00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:15.860
in and of themselves.
00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:17.980
The claim that Jesus
00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:19.040
has upon our lives
00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:20.000
trumps all
00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:22.019
and this is why
00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:22.759
you cannot
00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:24.079
wall in Jesus
00:13:24.079 --> 00:13:25.939
or compartmentalize
00:13:25.939 --> 00:13:26.919
the authority of Christ.
00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.360
Jesus has authority
00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:31.120
here in the gathered church
00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:32.299
in the Trinity Cambridge Church.
00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:33.679
I'll speak of him here
00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:34.399
when we are gathered
00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:36.339
but I will not speak of him
00:13:36.339 --> 00:13:37.199
to my neighbors.
00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:39.579
Jesus has authority
00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:40.360
here in the U.S.
00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.019
where we have freedom
00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.480
of religion
00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.579
but in these countries
00:13:42.579 --> 00:13:44.120
where converting
00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:44.579
to Christianity
00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:45.360
is outlawed
00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:46.659
where I'll be persecuted
00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.439
for my faith,
00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:48.540
well there
00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:49.140
that's outside
00:13:49.140 --> 00:13:49.680
of the purview
00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:50.720
of Jesus' authority.
00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:52.920
No it's not.
00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:55.820
Jesus' authority
00:13:55.820 --> 00:13:57.220
cannot be contained.
00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:58.640
It overcomes
00:13:58.640 --> 00:14:00.040
and overrules
00:14:00.040 --> 00:14:01.020
every limit
00:14:01.020 --> 00:14:01.920
and boundary
00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:03.260
that we placed upon it
00:14:03.260 --> 00:14:04.960
for all authority
00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:05.640
in heaven and on earth
00:14:05.640 --> 00:14:06.600
has been given to him.
00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:08.900
God the Father
00:14:08.900 --> 00:14:10.200
has highly exalted Jesus
00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:10.660
and given him
00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:11.500
the name that is above
00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.140
every name
00:14:12.140 --> 00:14:12.900
so that at the name
00:14:12.900 --> 00:14:13.280
of Jesus
00:14:13.280 --> 00:14:14.260
every knee should bow
00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:15.679
and every tongue confess
00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.819
that Jesus Christ
00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.220
is Lord
00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:17.700
to the glory
00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.559
of God the Father.
00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.779
God has put all things
00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:21.460
in subjection
00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.139
under Jesus
00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.059
so that in the end
00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:23.659
when the Son
00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.600
gladly submits
00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.720
and subjects himself
00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:26.419
to the Father
00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.919
all glory redounds
00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:28.340
to him
00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.120
so that God
00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.100
may be all in all.
00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.720
Are you aggrieved
00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.439
by the fact
00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:34.399
that there are rebels
00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.039
who defy
00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.019
the lordship of Christ
00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.659
in our city
00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:38.460
and throughout the world?
00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:40.580
Does it make you
00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:41.039
indignant
00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:42.360
that as the gospel
00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:43.340
goes forth
00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:43.860
in the world
00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:45.120
and as King Jesus
00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.160
rises forth
00:14:46.160 --> 00:14:46.960
in the power
00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.660
of his spirit
00:14:47.660 --> 00:14:49.040
that there are people
00:14:49.040 --> 00:14:50.379
who do not bow their heads
00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.120
before the king?
00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.560
That's our job.
00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:57.060
Heralds,
00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.019
witnesses
00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:59.800
as disciples of Jesus
00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:00.940
to go and tell them
00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:02.040
what are you doing?
00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:03.820
Why aren't you
00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.560
bowing the knee
00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:05.399
before the king?
00:15:06.300 --> 00:15:07.220
Do you not know
00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:08.340
he is
00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.560
the Christ
00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:11.120
the risen king
00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.879
the son of the living God?
00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:14.620
Have you not hurt?
00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.980
And the fact
00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:18.399
that Jesus
00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.660
has all authority
00:15:19.660 --> 00:15:20.519
is the basis
00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.300
and the warrant
00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:22.399
for the great commission
00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:23.420
to go and make disciples
00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.580
of all nations.
00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.780
Look at verse 19.
00:15:26.660 --> 00:15:26.879
It says,
00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.860
go therefore
00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:29.220
and make disciples
00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:30.259
of all nations.
00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:31.899
Jesus has
00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:33.280
all authority.
00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:34.379
Therefore,
00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:36.280
go and make disciples
00:15:36.280 --> 00:15:37.220
of all nations.
00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:39.160
If Jesus were
00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:40.139
a local governor
00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.300
or a provincial ruler,
00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.179
we will not have
00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:42.859
to make disciples
00:15:42.859 --> 00:15:43.819
of all nations.
00:15:44.479 --> 00:15:45.419
But because he is
00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:46.419
the king of kings
00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:47.719
and lord of lords
00:15:47.719 --> 00:15:49.240
who has all authority
00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:49.959
in heaven and on earth,
00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.259
we must make disciples
00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.479
of all nations.
00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:55.240
There's a notable contrast
00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:57.139
between Matthew 28, 19
00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:59.000
and Matthew 10, verse 5.
00:15:59.839 --> 00:16:01.319
In Matthew 10, verse 5,
00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.359
prior to his death
00:16:02.359 --> 00:16:02.899
and resurrection,
00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.779
Jesus sent his disciples
00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.939
out with this instruction.
00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:08.120
Go nowhere
00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:10.000
among the Gentiles
00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.660
and enter no town
00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.560
of the Samaritans,
00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:13.520
but go rather
00:16:13.520 --> 00:16:14.460
to the lost sheep
00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.700
of the house of Israel
00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:17.720
and proclaim as you go,
00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:18.380
saying the kingdom
00:16:18.380 --> 00:16:19.340
of heaven is at hand.
00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.660
That word Gentiles
00:16:21.660 --> 00:16:22.880
there in Matthew 10
00:16:22.880 --> 00:16:24.160
is a different translation
00:16:24.160 --> 00:16:25.560
of the same Greek word
00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:26.300
that's translated
00:16:26.300 --> 00:16:27.160
in 28, 19
00:16:27.160 --> 00:16:27.940
as nations.
00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:30.860
So then in chapter 10,
00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:31.460
Jesus said,
00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.780
don't go to the nations.
00:16:33.380 --> 00:16:34.620
But in chapter 28,
00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.899
he says, go to all the nations.
00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.919
Why the sudden turnaround?
00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:42.060
As Jesus said in John 12, 32,
00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:44.120
it's when Jesus is lifted up
00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:44.980
from the earth
00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:46.460
in his death on the cross
00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:48.460
that he draws all the nations,
00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.820
all peoples to himself.
00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:51.740
It's at the cross
00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.019
that Jesus disarmed
00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:54.279
the rulers and the authorities
00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:55.659
and put them to open shame
00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:56.899
by triumphing over them.
00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.519
It's at the cross
00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.720
that Jesus broke down
00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:01.220
the dividing wall of hostility
00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.320
in his flesh
00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:03.820
between Jews and Gentiles
00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:05.360
by fulfilling the law.
00:17:05.840 --> 00:17:07.920
It's only after his death
00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.480
and resurrection
00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.440
that we can proclaim
00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.680
the good news of salvation
00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:12.240
to Gentiles,
00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.779
to all nations.
00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.900
This is why Jesus said
00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.940
in John 4, 22,
00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.960
that salvation is from the Jews.
00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.920
And Paul echoes that
00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:21.980
in Romans 1, 16.
00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:23.240
The gospel is the power
00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.120
of God for salvation
00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:25.500
to everyone who believes,
00:17:25.820 --> 00:17:27.000
to the Jew first
00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.580
and also to the Greek.
00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:31.720
The Lord spoke to his messianic king
00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.859
in Psalm 2, 8,
00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.159
Ask of me
00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:36.519
and I will make the nations
00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.159
your heritage
00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:38.439
and the ends of the earth
00:17:38.439 --> 00:17:39.119
your possession.
00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.699
And that's precisely
00:17:40.699 --> 00:17:41.559
what God has done
00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.179
for Jesus
00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:43.619
in raising him
00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.259
from the dead.
00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:46.419
The salvation is from the Jews,
00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.439
but it is no longer
00:17:47.439 --> 00:17:49.059
exclusively for the Jews.
00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:51.000
God's plan all along
00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.759
was for salvation
00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:53.240
to go to all the nations
00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.000
from the Jews
00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.839
as he had promised to Abram
00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:57.439
in Genesis chapter 12.
00:17:58.439 --> 00:17:59.079
This mission
00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:00.480
that God calls us to,
00:18:00.699 --> 00:18:02.139
that God involves us in,
00:18:02.459 --> 00:18:03.839
is not a small thing.
00:18:04.439 --> 00:18:05.279
It is grand,
00:18:05.639 --> 00:18:06.359
it is glorious,
00:18:06.959 --> 00:18:08.459
and it is cosmic in scope.
00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.759
So let us make it
00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.199
our ambition
00:18:11.199 --> 00:18:12.199
to preach the gospel
00:18:12.199 --> 00:18:13.559
where Christ has not
00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.839
already been named.
00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.919
There are tribes
00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:17.919
and languages,
00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:18.619
peoples,
00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.199
and nations
00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.339
who have not heard
00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.500
the name of Jesus Christ.
00:18:22.459 --> 00:18:24.139
How can they bow the knee
00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:24.819
to a king
00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.960
that they have not heard of?
00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.960
There are rebel forces
00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.619
defying the lordship of Jesus
00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.639
all throughout the world,
00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.379
so let us go
00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.759
and share Christ
00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.939
and his gospel with them
00:18:33.939 --> 00:18:35.480
so that they pledge allegiance
00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.639
to our gracious king.
00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:40.159
We pray for 12 foreign countries
00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:41.279
throughout the calendar year,
00:18:41.419 --> 00:18:42.200
one per month.
00:18:42.919 --> 00:18:43.919
Algeria, Bangladesh,
00:18:44.179 --> 00:18:45.439
China, India, Indonesia,
00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.879
Iran, Japan, Myanmar,
00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:49.039
Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand,
00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:52.240
because we have gospel partners there
00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.059
who are working there
00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.720
that we support,
00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.940
and or because there are
00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:57.000
many peoples in those countries
00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:58.339
among whom Christ
00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:59.919
has not already been named.
00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:03.480
Can we one day as a church,
00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.399
as a local church,
00:19:04.899 --> 00:19:06.679
send missionary teams out
00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:08.359
to each of those countries
00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.519
to make disciples
00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:11.000
and plant churches?
00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:14.759
Can we pray and serve
00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.480
and give and teach
00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.319
toward that end?
00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:20.819
Can we one day as a church
00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:22.599
plant churches in Albany,
00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:24.740
Schenectady, Troy, New York,
00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:27.419
Springfield, Holyoke, Massachusetts,
00:19:27.659 --> 00:19:28.539
Burlington, Vermont,
00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:30.619
Portland, Auburn, Maine,
00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:32.399
Hartford, New Haven, Connecticut?
00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:35.200
Some of the least churched
00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.879
and most unbelieving cities
00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:38.159
in this entire country
00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:39.679
are all here in the northeast
00:19:39.679 --> 00:19:40.799
within striking distance
00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.419
of our church.
00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:43.660
Are we not here
00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:45.240
in the capital of New England,
00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.980
the least Christian region
00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.640
in our country?
00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.580
Are we not here
00:19:49.580 --> 00:19:50.660
in Cambridge,
00:19:51.060 --> 00:19:51.740
the Jerusalem
00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.960
of higher education
00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.240
throughout the world
00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.759
where people from every tribe
00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.960
and language and nation
00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:58.340
come to study and work?
00:19:58.860 --> 00:20:00.039
Are we not here
00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.539
for such a time as this?
00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.500
Pray that God
00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.680
would send more labors
00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:07.920
into these ripe harvest fields,
00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:09.740
that God would raise up labors
00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:11.120
from our very own midst,
00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.460
that we would have
00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.200
the resources
00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:14.299
and the resolve
00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.500
and the resilience
00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.480
to sacrifice
00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.740
and to send
00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:19.420
and to make disciples
00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.259
among all nations.
00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:23.299
I also want you to know
00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.299
that it's not only those
00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:24.980
who pick up
00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:25.980
and leave town
00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:28.680
to be a missionary
00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:30.240
or to plant churches,
00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.980
that they're not the only ones
00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.400
who are obeying
00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.120
the Great Commission.
00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:35.120
The first word
00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:36.700
of verse 19 is go.
00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:39.440
It's translated in the ESV
00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.259
as an imperative,
00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:42.220
but it is not an imperative.
00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.779
It's a participle
00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.740
in the original Greek,
00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.620
like the word baptizing
00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.400
and teaching.
00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.620
As you go, therefore,
00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:51.880
or going, therefore,
00:20:52.320 --> 00:20:53.039
make disciples
00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:53.860
of all nations,
00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.259
baptizing them
00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:56.000
in the name of the Father
00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.519
and of the Son
00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.259
and of the Holy Spirit,
00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.180
teaching them
00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.799
to observe all
00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.740
that I have commanded you.
00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:01.680
All three participles,
00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:03.799
going, baptizing, teaching,
00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:05.259
they all modify
00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.960
the imperative,
00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.240
make disciples.
00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.539
That's the single command.
00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.600
That's the main command.
00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.580
Make disciples.
00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:13.759
And going and baptizing
00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.160
and teaching
00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.539
are how you do that.
00:21:16.340 --> 00:21:17.100
And that means
00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:18.299
wherever you are,
00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:20.279
wherever you are going,
00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.299
right now,
00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:22.500
you should be making disciples.
00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.460
When we read
00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.180
the book of Acts,
00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.360
we see that it's not only
00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.080
those who travel
00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:27.900
to other places
00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:29.320
with the express purpose
00:21:29.320 --> 00:21:30.340
of proclaiming the gospel
00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:31.200
who make disciples.
00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:32.960
There are people like that,
00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.840
Philip and Paul
00:21:33.840 --> 00:21:34.400
and Barnabas
00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:35.100
and Apollos.
00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:36.939
But there are also people
00:21:36.939 --> 00:21:38.619
like those who are mentioned
00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.859
in Acts 8, 1-4,
00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:41.059
those who are scattered
00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.899
throughout the region
00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:43.159
of Samaria and Judea
00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:44.799
because of a great persecution
00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.459
that broke out
00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:46.119
against the church
00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:46.659
in Jerusalem.
00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.839
They had no intention
00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.779
of leaving Jerusalem.
00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:51.199
They were scattered
00:21:51.199 --> 00:21:52.359
by circumstances
00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:53.299
beyond their control.
00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:54.039
They were scattered
00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.159
by great persecution.
00:21:55.939 --> 00:21:56.799
And yet,
00:21:56.939 --> 00:21:57.859
wherever they went,
00:21:58.199 --> 00:21:59.319
they spread the gospel.
00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:02.159
Wherever you are scattered,
00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.660
it is our job,
00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.420
it is our mission
00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:06.000
to scatter the seeds
00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.540
of the gospel.
00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:09.240
Maybe,
00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:11.800
maybe some of you
00:22:11.800 --> 00:22:12.560
are scattered here
00:22:12.560 --> 00:22:13.240
because of school
00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.920
or a program
00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.600
that you got into
00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:16.440
or work that you found
00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:18.000
or relationship
00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.980
that you got into
00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:21.220
or maybe you'll be scattered
00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.000
further from here
00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.960
to other places.
00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.940
But wherever you are
00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:26.140
going,
00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:26.820
therefore,
00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.940
make disciples
00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.860
of Jesus Christ.
00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.580
It's not only the apostles
00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.819
who receive the Holy Spirit.
00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:35.240
All of God's people
00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.279
receive the Holy Spirit
00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.879
to be empowered
00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.960
to go and make disciples.
00:22:39.199 --> 00:22:39.939
And if you're here
00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:40.779
in Boston right now,
00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.399
start here.
00:22:42.679 --> 00:22:43.759
Moving across the ocean
00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.859
or changing zip codes
00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:46.259
does not automatically
00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.279
make one a missionary.
00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.279
If you are not sharing
00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:49.939
the gospel here
00:22:49.939 --> 00:22:50.559
with anybody,
00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:51.799
you will not share it
00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.819
when you change your zip code.
00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.579
So start here.
00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.500
Start making disciples.
00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.859
Making disciples
00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:01.319
also involves baptizing.
00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.740
If you confess
00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.599
with your mouth
00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.519
that Jesus is Lord
00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.759
and believe in your heart
00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.079
that God raised him
00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.639
from the dead,
00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.679
you will be saved.
00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.639
If you are to be saved,
00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.359
you must have
00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:12.419
an inward faith
00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.799
in the risen Lord,
00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:15.480
but you also must confess
00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.299
with your mouth
00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.220
that Jesus is Lord.
00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:17.779
There must be
00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.899
an outward profession.
00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:20.779
And baptism
00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.059
is the sacrament
00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:23.119
that Jesus has commanded
00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:24.000
for us to observe
00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.460
as an outward profession
00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:27.159
of that inward faith.
00:23:28.159 --> 00:23:29.799
And baptism presupposes
00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.319
the context of the church
00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.859
since individual believers
00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.819
are all baptized
00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:35.339
into one body.
00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.259
When you're baptized,
00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:36.859
you're baptized
00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:38.099
into the church,
00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:40.059
into the body of Christ
00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.460
as it says
00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.759
in 1 Corinthians 12, 13.
00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.700
No one can baptize
00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.299
him or herself.
00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.859
It's the gathered body
00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.259
of Christ
00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.700
that baptizes new converts
00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.559
into Christ
00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.799
and into their body.
00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.799
And baptism entails
00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:54.139
repentance of sin
00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:56.020
and renunciation of self.
00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:58.860
Acts 22, 16 says,
00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.080
rise and be baptized
00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:01.700
and wash away your sins,
00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:03.500
calling on the name of Jesus.
00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:05.440
Romans 6, 3 says
00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.200
that all of us
00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.880
who have been baptized
00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.620
into Christ Jesus
00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.240
have been baptized
00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.440
into his death
00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:11.060
so that we might die
00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:12.080
to our former selves
00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:13.820
and walk in the newness of life.
00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.880
That's why we are baptized
00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:17.780
in the name of the Father
00:24:17.780 --> 00:24:18.500
and of the Son
00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.680
and of the Holy Spirit.
00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:22.180
Notice that the word name
00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.080
there is singular.
00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.359
It doesn't say the names
00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.819
of the Father, Son, and Spirit
00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:27.539
but the singular name
00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.779
of the Father, the Son,
00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.399
and the Holy Spirit
00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:31.339
which is a startling assertion
00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:32.599
of the divinity of Christ.
00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:34.319
The Lord God
00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.759
of the Old Testament,
00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.399
Yahweh,
00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.460
who created the world
00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.619
and who split the Red Sea
00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.519
and delivered Israel
00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.240
from Egypt
00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:42.720
is the same Lord God
00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.679
because Jesus is the second person
00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:45.240
of the Trinity,
00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:47.059
the Son of the living God.
00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:49.379
So he has the name
00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:51.220
of the Father and the Son
00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.740
and the Spirit
00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.759
and that's why
00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.819
in the book of Acts
00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.579
people often,
00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:56.140
the church often baptizes people
00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.799
in the name of Jesus
00:24:57.799 --> 00:25:00.120
because to baptize people
00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:00.779
in the name of Jesus
00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:02.160
is to baptize them
00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.000
in the name of the Father
00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.500
and the Son
00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.740
and the Holy Spirit.
00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.920
There's one name
00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.480
that is above
00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.420
every other name
00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:10.319
and why is the name
00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:11.359
of God significant?
00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:13.140
Because a name
00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.779
is personal.
00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:16.740
A name represents someone,
00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:18.140
it stands for someone.
00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:20.660
A name brings us
00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.900
into covenant relationship
00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.460
with God.
00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.759
I read a news story
00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:27.080
of the Rohingya refugee family
00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:27.759
from Myanmar.
00:25:28.820 --> 00:25:29.580
As a refugee,
00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:30.720
at first,
00:25:30.800 --> 00:25:32.040
they had no recognized
00:25:32.040 --> 00:25:33.280
legal identity
00:25:33.280 --> 00:25:34.360
because they didn't have
00:25:34.360 --> 00:25:35.740
any identification papers.
00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.720
They had no official status.
00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.980
They couldn't get
00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.740
a driver's license.
00:25:39.840 --> 00:25:40.480
They couldn't even open
00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.160
a bank account
00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.740
in their name.
00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.559
But after getting
00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:45.259
resettled in the U.S.,
00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.740
they broke down in tears
00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:48.099
when they first received
00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:49.319
their official documents
00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:50.279
naming them
00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:52.180
and recognizing their name.
00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:54.000
And the father of the family,
00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.000
speaking on behalf
00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.440
of the other Rohingya people
00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:56.839
as well,
00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:58.180
said to an interviewer,
00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:59.599
for the first time
00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.460
in 100 years,
00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.380
we can say,
00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.599
we have a land,
00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:04.000
we have a home,
00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.759
we have a name.
00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:08.279
We take our names
00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.140
for granted,
00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:10.900
but having a name
00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.880
is no small thing.
00:26:13.080 --> 00:26:13.940
When a wife
00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:15.820
takes on her husband's surname
00:26:15.820 --> 00:26:16.420
and declares,
00:26:16.620 --> 00:26:18.560
I am one flesh with him,
00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.720
it's not insignificant.
00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.900
When an adopted child
00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:24.320
takes on the family name
00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:24.820
and declares,
00:26:25.060 --> 00:26:26.160
I am now a member
00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.300
of this family,
00:26:27.820 --> 00:26:28.900
it's not insignificant.
00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.280
So likewise,
00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.600
a convert to Christianity
00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:32.320
is baptized
00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:33.600
in the name
00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:34.180
of the Father
00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.860
and of the Son
00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.660
and the Holy Spirit.
00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:37.300
They take on a new name,
00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:38.360
a new identity,
00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.259
and they belong
00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.279
to a new family.
00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:42.899
Baptism is the Christians
00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:44.759
planting his or her flag
00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.319
in the ground.
00:26:46.479 --> 00:26:47.539
Why do armies
00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:49.799
carry a cumbersome flag
00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.339
into battle?
00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.299
It's not merely
00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.419
for visual communication
00:26:53.419 --> 00:26:55.059
to provide a rallying point.
00:26:55.439 --> 00:26:56.859
It's a point of pride
00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:58.000
and identity.
00:26:58.459 --> 00:26:59.379
It's about morale
00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.419
and honor.
00:27:01.219 --> 00:27:02.500
So a Christian declares
00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.259
his allegiance
00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.319
by getting baptized
00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.279
in the name
00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.819
of the Father
00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.559
and of the Son
00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.479
and of the Holy Spirit.
00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:09.140
I pledge my allegiance
00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:10.079
to a new king.
00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:12.099
I renounce all other lords
00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:12.980
and I belong
00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.920
to Jesus Christ.
00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.920
If you're a part
00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:16.720
of the king's army,
00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:17.640
you have to play,
00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.740
you have to fly
00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.700
the king's flag.
00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.240
I've heard
00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.400
Pastor Alistair Begg
00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:23.940
say once,
00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:25.079
there is no such thing
00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:26.099
as a secret disciple.
00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:28.000
Either the secrecy
00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.319
will kill the discipleship
00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.700
or the discipleship
00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.920
will kill the secrecy.
00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:34.160
Making disciples
00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:35.299
involves going
00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.500
and making disciples
00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.879
involves baptizing
00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:39.740
people from all nations
00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:41.099
joining the one kingdom
00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.940
under the lordship
00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.899
of Jesus Christ.
00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.200
Jesus continues
00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.000
in verse 20,
00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.500
teaching them
00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.319
to observe all
00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:49.559
that I have commanded you.
00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.319
All authority,
00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.259
all nations,
00:27:52.419 --> 00:27:53.200
all commands.
00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.700
Making disciples
00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.879
involves teaching.
00:27:56.419 --> 00:27:56.819
Why?
00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.720
Because the very word
00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.700
disciple in Greek
00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.619
means learner,
00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.980
a student,
00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:03.319
an apprentice.
00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.220
Jesus is telling
00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:06.140
his 11 disciples
00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:07.640
to make disciples
00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:08.599
and that means
00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:10.240
Jesus is saying
00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.579
to them,
00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.779
replicate yourselves.
00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.059
You are my disciples.
00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.680
Now go and make disciples.
00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.180
Replicate yourselves.
00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.839
Bring others
00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.759
to follow me
00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.620
and learn from me
00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.480
the way you have done
00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.299
up to this point.
00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.759
This is why
00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:24.279
discipling doesn't have
00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:25.759
to be overly complicated.
00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.640
If you are a Christian,
00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.559
by definition,
00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:30.319
you understand the gospel
00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.359
and that means
00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.379
you can share the gospel
00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:33.279
with non-Christians.
00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.740
You don't need
00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.599
a seminary degree
00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.159
for that
00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:37.879
and you can invite
00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:38.599
non-Christians
00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.200
or Christians
00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.779
who are younger
00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.399
in the faith
00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:41.839
than you
00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.939
to do a Bible study
00:28:42.939 --> 00:28:43.359
with you.
00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:44.659
Start small.
00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.720
Start with one book.
00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.639
We just went through
00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.319
the Gospel of Matthew.
00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.720
We're in the last passage
00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.379
of the Gospel of Matthew.
00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:51.740
You can go through
00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.359
the Gospel of Matthew
00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:52.740
with them.
00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.740
You go through
00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:56.039
the Sermon on the Mount
00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.859
maybe if you want
00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.679
to do a shorter study
00:28:57.679 --> 00:28:58.039
with them.
00:28:58.659 --> 00:28:59.460
If you forgot
00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.039
what you learned
00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.440
well,
00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.180
very conveniently
00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.980
all the sermons
00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.519
are recorded
00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.019
and posted
00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.639
on our website.
00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:04.960
You could use it
00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.480
as a reference
00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.359
and as a resource.
00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:09.579
You open up
00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:10.279
the Word together.
00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.200
You teach them
00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.039
what you're learning
00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.599
from God.
00:29:12.899 --> 00:29:13.700
What you've learned
00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:14.220
in church.
00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:17.039
And then pray with them.
00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:17.579
You open up
00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.379
your heart to them.
00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:19.859
Show them
00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.680
how you are following
00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.599
Christ in your life.
00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.920
Be an example
00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.379
for them.
00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.099
That's how you make
00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:26.319
disciples of Jesus Christ.
00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:29.740
And remember
00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.279
that you are not
00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.899
making disciples
00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:31.559
of yourselves.
00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.119
You are making
00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:34.539
disciples of Jesus Christ.
00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.819
You are not making
00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:38.099
disciples of Sean Wu
00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:39.139
or Ed Kang either.
00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.779
You are making
00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:42.359
disciples of Jesus Christ.
00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.619
They are to observe
00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:46.079
all that Jesus
00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:47.079
has commanded them.
00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:49.119
If you are not
00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:50.319
learning and obeying
00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:50.919
the commandments
00:29:50.919 --> 00:29:51.779
of the Lord Jesus,
00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.819
you are not a disciple
00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.439
of Christ.
00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:56.019
In John 8, 31,
00:29:56.139 --> 00:29:57.279
Jesus said to the Jews
00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.619
who had believed him,
00:29:58.679 --> 00:29:59.059
he says,
00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.919
if you abide in my word,
00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.899
you are truly
00:30:02.899 --> 00:30:03.740
my disciples
00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:05.079
and you will know
00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.559
the truth
00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.079
and the truth
00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.899
will set you free.
00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.579
Apparently,
00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.319
some of these Jews
00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:11.759
who had believed
00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.579
in Jesus
00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:14.200
are not truly
00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.859
his disciples.
00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.000
Why not?
00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:18.339
Because they do not
00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.379
yet abide in
00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:20.819
or remain in
00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.659
or hold on
00:30:21.659 --> 00:30:22.299
to his word.
00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.399
They are not
00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:24.079
observing
00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:25.500
all that he
00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.319
has commanded them.
00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:27.919
Whoever does not
00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:29.019
bear his own cross
00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.779
and come after me
00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.939
cannot be my disciple,
00:30:31.079 --> 00:30:31.539
Jesus said
00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:33.119
in Luke 14, 27.
00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.819
And Jesus doesn't say
00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.939
teach them to observe
00:30:35.939 --> 00:30:37.240
some of what
00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.759
I have commanded.
00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.500
No, he says
00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.419
obey
00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:42.000
all that I have
00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.579
commanded you.
00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.460
We don't get
00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.319
to pick and choose.
00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.139
We're so used
00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.619
to laws
00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.279
that we can
00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.740
keep selectively
00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:50.019
but God's commands
00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.659
are not like
00:30:50.659 --> 00:30:51.460
those human laws.
00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:53.120
And these are
00:30:53.120 --> 00:30:54.059
divine commands
00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:55.539
not mere suggestions.
00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.759
Sometimes I see
00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.539
Christians act
00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.980
like biblical commands
00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.079
are mere suggestions
00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:02.539
that you only need
00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:02.940
to follow
00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.720
when it's convenient
00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:05.019
for yourself.
00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:07.279
And their behavior
00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:08.019
proves that they
00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:09.220
do not truly submit
00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:10.299
to the lordship of Christ.
00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.860
They're still trying
00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:12.720
to be their own lords.
00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.420
You might say
00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:14.980
that you believe
00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.380
in Jesus
00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.059
but if you are not
00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:17.360
abiding in his word
00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.959
and if you are living
00:31:18.959 --> 00:31:19.740
in willful
00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.759
disobedience
00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.699
to his commands
00:31:21.699 --> 00:31:22.759
then you are not
00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.500
his disciple.
00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:25.619
God is not looking
00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:26.159
for mere
00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:27.399
one time converts.
00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.219
He's looking for
00:31:29.219 --> 00:31:30.079
lifelong
00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:31.579
mature disciples.
00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.079
Love the Lord
00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.519
your God
00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.639
with all your heart
00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:37.199
and love your neighbor
00:31:37.199 --> 00:31:37.899
as yourself.
00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.559
Do unto others
00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.179
what you would have
00:31:40.179 --> 00:31:40.959
them do to you.
00:31:41.699 --> 00:31:42.779
Rejoice and give thanks.
00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.859
These are all commands
00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.619
that we must obey.
00:31:44.719 --> 00:31:45.199
These are all
00:31:45.199 --> 00:31:46.219
important commands
00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:47.180
frequently repeated
00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:47.680
in scriptures
00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:49.640
but we also must
00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:51.500
not confuse this
00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.519
with the great commission.
00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:54.180
We must not lose
00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.740
our focus
00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.500
on our mission.
00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.259
These commands
00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.299
are the things
00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.740
that we must teach
00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.980
the disciples
00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:02.600
to observe and obey
00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:04.019
but that's not
00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.940
the great commission.
00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.700
That's not the mission.
00:32:07.640 --> 00:32:08.279
Our mission is
00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.460
to make disciples
00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:10.299
who obey
00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:11.120
all these commands.
00:32:12.620 --> 00:32:13.720
Maybe you're taking care
00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.620
to obey these commands
00:32:14.620 --> 00:32:15.420
in your own life.
00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.420
But are you making
00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.180
disciples
00:32:18.180 --> 00:32:19.059
who are obeying
00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.720
these commands
00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.900
and teaching them
00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.539
to do the same?
00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:23.600
If you are not
00:32:23.600 --> 00:32:24.759
making disciples
00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.480
then you are not
00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.660
obeying the great commission.
00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.700
This mission
00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.720
that Christ has given us
00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.460
has a narrow
00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.799
and specific focus.
00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.339
You start calling
00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:34.140
everything a mission
00:32:34.140 --> 00:32:35.400
then nothing becomes mission.
00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:37.039
We have a mission
00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.220
and that is to make
00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:39.779
disciples of Jesus Christ.
00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:42.620
And then he says
00:32:42.620 --> 00:32:44.480
my fourth and last point
00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.120
all the days
00:32:45.120 --> 00:32:45.700
in verse 20
00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.680
teaching them to observe
00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:48.200
all that I have commanded you
00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.339
and behold
00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.799
I am with you
00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:52.599
always to the end
00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.259
of the age.
00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.259
How do we know
00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.200
that this command
00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:57.099
was intended
00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:58.700
for all of Jesus' followers
00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.640
and not only for
00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.519
the twelve?
00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:02.099
Not only for the eleven
00:33:02.099 --> 00:33:02.539
that are here
00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.680
because Jesus is speaking
00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.920
to the eleven apostles here.
00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:06.779
How do we know that?
00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:09.120
Because the scope
00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:09.940
of the command
00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:12.320
and what Jesus promises here
00:33:12.320 --> 00:33:13.460
goes beyond
00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:14.000
the lifetime
00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:15.279
of the original apostles.
00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:16.620
He says
00:33:16.620 --> 00:33:17.860
behold I am with you
00:33:17.860 --> 00:33:19.080
always to the end
00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:19.820
of the age.
00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:20.620
The end of the age
00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:21.180
is not here.
00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.400
And Jesus said
00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:25.460
in John 17
00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.200
he prayed
00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:27.180
for his disciples
00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:28.500
as you sent me
00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.039
into the world
00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:30.299
so I have sent them
00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:31.000
into the world
00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:32.240
and for their sake
00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:33.539
I consecrate myself
00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.700
that they also
00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:36.120
may be sanctified
00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:36.640
in truth.
00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.160
I do not ask
00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:39.000
for these only
00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:40.060
but also for those
00:33:40.060 --> 00:33:41.120
who will believe in me
00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:42.200
through their word
00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.980
that they may all be one
00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:44.960
just as you
00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:46.040
Father are in me
00:33:46.040 --> 00:33:46.779
and I in you
00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:47.680
that they also
00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.480
may be in us
00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.279
so that the world
00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:49.840
may believe
00:33:49.840 --> 00:33:50.900
that you have sent me.
00:33:51.660 --> 00:33:52.480
Jesus sent out
00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.040
his disciples
00:33:53.040 --> 00:33:54.500
but he's not
00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:55.560
sending them only.
00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:56.800
He prays not only
00:33:56.800 --> 00:33:57.180
for them
00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:58.440
but also for all
00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:59.000
those who will
00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.900
believe in him
00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:01.880
through their word.
00:34:02.540 --> 00:34:04.660
All the subsequent
00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:05.800
following generations
00:34:05.800 --> 00:34:06.580
of Christians
00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:08.179
we are all sent out
00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:09.179
with the same task
00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:09.980
the great commission
00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:11.579
and that promise
00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.519
still stands.
00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.819
It's not so much
00:34:14.819 --> 00:34:15.299
a promise
00:34:15.299 --> 00:34:16.239
as it is a reality
00:34:16.239 --> 00:34:16.920
and a fact.
00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.199
Jesus says
00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.860
I am with you
00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:21.279
to the very end
00:34:21.279 --> 00:34:21.679
of the age.
00:34:21.779 --> 00:34:22.980
I am with you
00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.400
always
00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:23.920
to the end
00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:24.519
of the age.
00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.500
When you share
00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:26.920
the gospel
00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:27.539
with your neighbors
00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:28.319
when you are
00:34:28.319 --> 00:34:28.900
persecuted
00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:29.500
reviled
00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.279
and ridiculed
00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:30.960
and imprisoned
00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:32.000
for his name's sake
00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.519
Jesus says
00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:33.659
I am with you
00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:34.179
always
00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:35.099
to the end
00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:35.699
of the age
00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:36.859
and is that
00:34:36.859 --> 00:34:37.480
authority
00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:38.219
the bookends
00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:38.859
the authority
00:34:38.859 --> 00:34:39.539
all authority
00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.439
that Jesus has
00:34:40.439 --> 00:34:41.659
and the promise
00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.559
that he will be
00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:42.899
with us
00:34:42.899 --> 00:34:43.919
all the days
00:34:43.919 --> 00:34:45.500
that helps us
00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.679
the weak
00:34:46.679 --> 00:34:47.859
and frail we are
00:34:47.859 --> 00:34:48.659
like the disciples
00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:49.319
who doubted
00:34:49.319 --> 00:34:50.619
to still go
00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:51.599
and share the good news
00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:52.419
of Jesus Christ
00:34:52.419 --> 00:34:54.259
with all the nations.
00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:55.839
Let's pray
00:34:55.839 --> 00:34:57.099
that God would help us
00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:57.519
to do that.
00:35:00.319 --> 00:35:00.879
Father
00:35:00.879 --> 00:35:03.119
empower us
00:35:03.119 --> 00:35:03.839
with your spirit
00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:05.860
embolden us
00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:06.260
to share
00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:06.700
the good news
00:35:06.700 --> 00:35:07.519
of Jesus Christ
00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:09.780
show us
00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:10.539
teach us
00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:11.340
how to make
00:35:11.340 --> 00:35:11.760
disciples
00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:12.740
all around us
00:35:12.740 --> 00:35:16.920
that King Jesus
00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:17.840
may be recognized
00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:18.380
everywhere
00:35:18.380 --> 00:35:21.120
that from all
00:35:21.120 --> 00:35:21.539
tribes
00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.079
and peoples
00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:22.640
and nations
00:35:22.640 --> 00:35:23.579
and tongues
00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:25.400
Jesus name
00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:26.220
might be confessed
00:35:26.220 --> 00:35:27.600
that he might be
00:35:27.600 --> 00:35:28.039
worshipped
00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:28.780
and glorified
00:35:28.780 --> 00:35:31.000
Lord may
00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:32.059
our discipling
00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:33.699
lead to your worship
00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:35.639
among all the nations
00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.360
in Jesus name
00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:36.719
we pray
00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:37.659
Amen
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.879
And please open up your Bibles to Matthew chapter 28, verses 16 to 20.
00:00:13.720 --> 00:00:16.440
! Matthew chapter 28, verses 16 to 20.
00:00:16.440 --> 00:00:16.440
00:00:16.440 --> 00:00:29.820
Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word.
00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:58.219
Heavenly Father, whether we have a building or not,
00:01:00.759 --> 00:01:06.900
rain or shine, we have gathered in your name to honor you,
00:01:07.739 --> 00:01:14.900
to worship you, to be taught from your word,
00:01:15.700 --> 00:01:19.960
that we might be your faithful disciples
00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:24.000
for as long as we are here on earth,
00:01:25.059 --> 00:01:28.199
making disciples of all nations.
00:01:28.200 --> 00:01:33.900
So, Lord, please speak to us,
00:01:34.859 --> 00:01:36.740
address us by the power of your Holy Spirit
00:01:36.740 --> 00:01:39.079
in your word.
00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:45.459
Lord, reveal to us the wondrous things in your word
00:01:45.459 --> 00:01:51.519
and conform us to it, shape us with it,
00:01:51.900 --> 00:01:53.560
all for the glory of your name.
00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:56.719
In Jesus' name we pray.
00:01:57.540 --> 00:01:57.900
Amen.
00:01:57.900 --> 00:02:02.840
If you are able, please stand.
00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:05.120
Let's honor God together as we read from the word.
00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:06.900
Matthew 28, verses 16 to 20.
00:02:06.900 --> 00:02:13.960
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee,
00:02:14.240 --> 00:02:16.379
to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
00:02:16.780 --> 00:02:18.900
And when they saw him, they worshipped him.
00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:20.819
But some doubted.
00:02:20.819 --> 00:02:23.340
And Jesus came and said to them,
00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:26.139
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
00:02:26.859 --> 00:02:29.319
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:31.459
baptizing them in the name of the Father
00:02:31.459 --> 00:02:33.060
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
00:02:33.579 --> 00:02:36.400
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
00:02:37.060 --> 00:02:42.079
And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.
00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:44.620
This is God's holy and authoritative word.
00:02:44.699 --> 00:02:45.299
Please be seated.
00:02:45.300 --> 00:02:52.939
We're not doing anything special to celebrate this this year,
00:02:53.060 --> 00:02:57.620
but it is our 11th anniversary since our church's founding.
00:02:58.480 --> 00:03:01.880
And it's as good a Sunday as any to ask ourselves,
00:03:02.320 --> 00:03:05.480
why do we exist as a local church?
00:03:06.740 --> 00:03:09.040
What's our reason for being?
00:03:09.780 --> 00:03:11.100
What's our purpose?
00:03:11.960 --> 00:03:12.860
What's our mission?
00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:17.520
Do we exist to be a force for good in our society,
00:03:17.960 --> 00:03:19.440
in our city, in our neighborhood?
00:03:20.160 --> 00:03:25.020
Do we exist to create a loving community of Christians in Cambridge
00:03:25.020 --> 00:03:26.520
where we can all belong together?
00:03:27.760 --> 00:03:29.300
Why do we exist?
00:03:30.760 --> 00:03:33.460
In our passage this morning, Jesus answers that question.
00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:36.680
The Great Commission, as it has come to be known,
00:03:36.760 --> 00:03:39.740
is found in its essential form in all four Gospels
00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:41.100
and in the Book of Acts.
00:03:41.099 --> 00:03:46.139
It's a climactic command that Jesus issues to all his followers
00:03:46.139 --> 00:03:48.379
shortly before his ascension.
00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:52.579
And because these are his last words, his parting words,
00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:55.299
and because they succinctly summarize all of the Gospels
00:03:55.299 --> 00:03:58.280
and the direction and the directive of the four Gospels,
00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:02.659
many have called this the marching orders of the church.
00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:06.500
And so my main point this morning is simple.
00:04:06.579 --> 00:04:08.019
Make disciples of Jesus Christ.
00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:09.460
If I could expand that a little bit,
00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:14.160
I could say that the universal authority of Jesus enables us to make disciples of Jesus,
00:04:14.660 --> 00:04:16.600
make disciples of Jesus among all the nations.
00:04:17.259 --> 00:04:20.900
I'm going to talk first about all authority that Jesus says that he has,
00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:24.000
and then about all nations, and then all commands,
00:04:24.400 --> 00:04:28.480
and then all the days that Jesus commands us to do this.
00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:32.560
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph,
00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:38.340
have informed Jesus' 11 remaining disciples that the risen Jesus will meet them in Galilee.
00:04:38.860 --> 00:04:42.420
So it says in verse 16 that now the 11 disciples went to Galilee
00:04:42.420 --> 00:04:45.480
to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:50.120
Apparently, either they were in the habit of meeting Jesus in this mountain in Galilee,
00:04:50.220 --> 00:04:54.120
or Jesus had specifically instructed them to meet him at this mountain.
00:04:54.120 --> 00:04:57.819
They know where to go, and they're expecting to meet the risen Jesus.
00:04:58.860 --> 00:05:00.180
And they're not disappointed.
00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:02.100
It says in verse 17,
00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:06.100
And when they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted.
00:05:07.340 --> 00:05:10.819
Since verse 18 tells us that Jesus came to them,
00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:13.920
it seems that the disciples spotted Jesus from a distance away,
00:05:14.379 --> 00:05:18.139
and out of awe, and they started to worship him immediately,
00:05:18.139 --> 00:05:21.819
and Jesus then comes near them, approaches them.
00:05:23.399 --> 00:05:26.419
And so when they're worshipping him and falling before him like this,
00:05:26.459 --> 00:05:28.879
they're recognizing that Jesus is not merely human.
00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:30.539
He's divine.
00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:34.800
They're bowing before him, prostrating themselves in worship,
00:05:34.979 --> 00:05:37.759
in acknowledgement of his supreme worth and glory.
00:05:40.039 --> 00:05:43.039
But they are not entirely without doubts.
00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:46.099
It says that some doubted.
00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:50.060
And the word translated doubt here also means to hesitate.
00:05:50.960 --> 00:05:53.700
It's the same word that was used in chapter 14
00:05:53.700 --> 00:05:57.180
when Peter stepped out in faith to walk on water toward Jesus.
00:05:57.920 --> 00:05:59.740
And he had faith to do that.
00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:02.160
But as soon as he started seeing the winds
00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:04.280
and the stirring up of the waves,
00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:06.439
he says that he doubted.
00:06:07.100 --> 00:06:07.800
Jesus says to him,
00:06:07.840 --> 00:06:09.980
Oh, you of little faith, why did you doubt?
00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:14.480
So the disciples worshipped Jesus after seeing the risen Lord,
00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:15.820
but some doubted.
00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:17.500
Some of them were afraid.
00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:20.460
Some of them were doubtful.
00:06:20.640 --> 00:06:21.540
They had little faith.
00:06:22.460 --> 00:06:24.020
Sure, there was excitement, anticipation,
00:06:24.340 --> 00:06:25.780
but there was also hesitation.
00:06:26.580 --> 00:06:28.480
Can this really be Jesus?
00:06:29.960 --> 00:06:31.820
Did he really rise from the dead?
00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:36.120
Is he really the son of God who has taken on human flesh?
00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:40.579
It's remarkable that their doubt is mentioned here at all.
00:06:40.980 --> 00:06:44.840
If you are writing a book to convince people that Jesus is the Christ,
00:06:44.920 --> 00:06:45.639
the son of God,
00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:47.259
who is risen from the dead,
00:06:47.660 --> 00:06:49.040
which is the gospel of Matthew,
00:06:49.240 --> 00:06:52.240
would you include a statement saying that his disciples,
00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:54.379
his own disciples that have been with him all along,
00:06:54.840 --> 00:06:57.019
doubted after his resurrection?
00:06:57.019 --> 00:07:00.060
Probably not.
00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:03.599
But Matthew includes it here because it's true.
00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:05.240
It's what happened.
00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:07.939
Though they should have had more faith,
00:07:08.039 --> 00:07:09.159
some of them doubted,
00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:11.879
and that fact in turn encourages us,
00:07:12.099 --> 00:07:13.799
those of us who sometimes doubt.
00:07:14.799 --> 00:07:16.659
Do you ever wrestle with doubts
00:07:16.659 --> 00:07:19.419
and questions that you have no answer to?
00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:22.640
Jude 1.22 commands us,
00:07:23.280 --> 00:07:25.540
have mercy on those who doubt.
00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:30.020
We are commanded to do precisely what Jesus does
00:07:30.020 --> 00:07:31.540
for his disciples in this passage.
00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:34.819
When Jesus saw how some of his disciples doubted,
00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:36.980
he didn't condemn them out of exasperation.
00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:39.980
How can you still doubt me after all that you've seen?
00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:41.660
Calming of the storms,
00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:43.060
defeating of the 5,000,
00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:45.300
now rising from the dead,
00:07:45.580 --> 00:07:47.040
and you still doubt me.
00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:49.939
Away from me, you faithless generation.
00:07:50.900 --> 00:07:52.200
He could have said that,
00:07:52.780 --> 00:07:53.819
but he didn't say that.
00:07:54.700 --> 00:07:56.600
Instead, he showed them mercy.
00:07:58.100 --> 00:07:59.939
A bruised reed he will not break,
00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:02.500
and a smoldering wick he will not quench.
00:08:03.400 --> 00:08:05.360
Some of the disciples doubted,
00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:07.340
but still they heeded the message of Mary,
00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:10.020
and Mary, they still showed up
00:08:10.020 --> 00:08:11.360
on the mountain in Galilee, didn't they?
00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:13.820
Yes, some of you doubt,
00:08:14.780 --> 00:08:16.700
but aren't you still here this Sunday morning
00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:17.459
to worship God?
00:08:19.300 --> 00:08:20.659
Aren't you still listening to
00:08:20.659 --> 00:08:22.159
and believing the message of the gospel?
00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:25.139
Do not be disheartened by your doubts.
00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:26.339
Continue in your faith,
00:08:26.479 --> 00:08:27.360
seeking understanding,
00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:29.500
and persevere in faith and obedience,
00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:31.459
knowing that Jesus, our Lord, is merciful.
00:08:33.059 --> 00:08:35.559
It seems that the combination of fear and awe
00:08:35.559 --> 00:08:39.199
is what kept them away,
00:08:39.319 --> 00:08:40.679
but Jesus approaches them,
00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:41.859
and imagine this scene
00:08:41.859 --> 00:08:43.279
as Jesus steps toward them
00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:44.479
and draws near to them
00:08:44.479 --> 00:08:46.659
and makes this pronouncement.
00:08:47.099 --> 00:08:48.079
This is the first time
00:08:48.079 --> 00:08:49.519
they're seeing the risen Lord.
00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:50.779
It says,
00:08:50.779 --> 00:09:10.120
We see four phrases with the adjective all
00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:11.060
in these verses,
00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:13.240
indicating the comprehensiveness
00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:14.560
of this great commission.
00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:16.139
All authority,
00:09:16.659 --> 00:09:17.620
all nations,
00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:19.000
all commands,
00:09:19.560 --> 00:09:20.919
and all ways,
00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:22.000
or more literally,
00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:23.360
all the days.
00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:25.399
This is a fulfillment
00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:28.080
of the prophecy of Daniel 7, 13-14.
00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:28.940
Remember,
00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:30.940
Jesus most often refers to himself
00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:32.500
in the gospels as the son of man,
00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:34.899
and that prophecy in Daniel 7 says,
00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:36.240
The son of man approaches
00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:37.180
the ancient of days,
00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:37.820
the Lord God,
00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:39.180
and he's given all authority
00:09:39.180 --> 00:09:41.000
and glory and dominion and power
00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:43.240
so that all peoples
00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.480
and nations and languages
00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:45.900
should serve him.
00:09:47.180 --> 00:09:48.860
So all authority,
00:09:49.220 --> 00:09:50.140
all nations,
00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:51.780
and he says his dominion
00:09:51.780 --> 00:09:53.120
is an everlasting dominion
00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:54.400
which shall not pass away,
00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:55.360
and his kingdom,
00:09:55.780 --> 00:09:57.120
one that shall not be destroyed.
00:09:57.220 --> 00:09:57.800
In other words,
00:09:57.900 --> 00:09:58.720
all ways,
00:09:58.879 --> 00:09:59.780
all the days.
00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:01.280
This is the fulfillment
00:10:01.280 --> 00:10:04.100
of the prophecy of Daniel 7.
00:10:04.300 --> 00:10:05.000
All authority,
00:10:05.140 --> 00:10:05.660
all nations,
00:10:05.780 --> 00:10:06.420
all commands,
00:10:06.420 --> 00:10:07.480
all the days.
00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:08.820
First,
00:10:08.900 --> 00:10:10.100
we see the universal authority
00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:11.780
of Jesus in verse 18.
00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:13.740
All authority in heaven
00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:14.140
and on earth
00:10:14.140 --> 00:10:15.080
has been given to me.
00:10:16.060 --> 00:10:17.420
If you remember in chapter 4
00:10:17.420 --> 00:10:19.060
when Satan came to Jesus
00:10:19.060 --> 00:10:19.860
to tempt him,
00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:21.580
he showed him,
00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.800
he took him to a mountain,
00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:23.660
a high mountain,
00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:25.040
showed him all the kingdoms
00:10:25.040 --> 00:10:25.600
of the world
00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:26.360
and their glory,
00:10:26.920 --> 00:10:28.360
and he offered it to Jesus.
00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:29.040
He said,
00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:30.600
All these I will give you
00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:32.100
if you will fall down
00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:32.940
and worship me.
00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:35.420
And Jesus rebuffed him
00:10:35.419 --> 00:10:36.679
and then,
00:10:36.819 --> 00:10:37.179
and it said,
00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:37.799
Be gone,
00:10:37.939 --> 00:10:38.199
Satan,
00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:38.839
for it is written,
00:10:38.939 --> 00:10:39.839
you shall worship the Lord
00:10:39.839 --> 00:10:40.240
your God
00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:41.059
and him alone
00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:42.259
shall you serve.
00:10:42.979 --> 00:10:43.299
Now,
00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:45.179
having obeyed God the Father
00:10:45.179 --> 00:10:46.079
and having fulfilled
00:10:46.079 --> 00:10:46.919
his mission to seek
00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:47.719
and save the lost
00:10:47.719 --> 00:10:48.699
by giving his life
00:10:48.699 --> 00:10:49.199
on the cross
00:10:49.199 --> 00:10:50.259
as a ransom for many,
00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:51.699
Jesus once again
00:10:51.699 --> 00:10:52.679
stands upon a mountain.
00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:54.079
But this time,
00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:54.740
it's not Satan
00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:55.659
who offers him authority,
00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:56.419
it's the Father
00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:57.639
who has given him authority.
00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:59.000
And this time,
00:10:59.100 --> 00:10:59.759
it's not authority
00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:00.759
on earth only,
00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.679
it's authority
00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:03.399
on heaven and earth
00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:04.860
because Jesus
00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:05.679
has been faithful
00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:08.199
and Jesus has obeyed
00:11:08.199 --> 00:11:08.819
and humbled himself
00:11:08.819 --> 00:11:10.019
before his Father.
00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:12.879
Governor Mara Healy
00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:13.840
of Massachusetts
00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:15.480
has the legal authority
00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.519
to grant pardons
00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:18.120
to state criminals,
00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:20.740
but she cannot pardon
00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:21.899
federal criminals
00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:24.100
because she doesn't have
00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:24.600
that authority.
00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:25.860
It's beyond her jurisdiction.
00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:28.460
President Donald Trump
00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:29.840
could not fly
00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:31.639
the U.S. aircraft
00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:33.680
through France
00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:35.460
and into France airspace
00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:37.019
during recent military operations
00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:39.039
because the government of France
00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:39.919
didn't give him permission
00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:42.580
because he doesn't have authority,
00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:45.300
jurisdiction in France.
00:11:45.300 --> 00:11:46.480
He only has authority
00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:47.840
within the United States of America.
00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:50.200
But Jesus Christ
00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:51.820
has no such limitations.
00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:54.620
He has all authority
00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.620
in heaven
00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:56.919
and on earth.
00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:59.379
Whether it's in the U.S.
00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:00.639
or the U.K.,
00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:01.740
Russia or China,
00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:02.899
Iran or Pakistan
00:12:02.899 --> 00:12:03.659
or Nigeria
00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:04.360
or Sudan
00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:04.980
or Cuba
00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.320
or Venezuela,
00:12:06.940 --> 00:12:08.139
wherever you go,
00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:10.240
Jesus is king
00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:12.399
and he has all authority.
00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:14.460
Whether you live
00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:15.220
in a red state
00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:16.080
or a blue state,
00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:17.960
whatever school you go to,
00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.500
whatever company you work for,
00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:20.700
Jesus is king
00:12:20.700 --> 00:12:22.200
and he has all authority
00:12:22.200 --> 00:12:23.580
in heaven and on earth.
00:12:24.640 --> 00:12:26.720
Are there disobedient rebel forces
00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.800
at work throughout the world?
00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:28.759
Yes, of course.
00:12:29.180 --> 00:12:30.400
But that doesn't change
00:12:30.400 --> 00:12:31.080
the fact,
00:12:31.520 --> 00:12:32.200
the reality
00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:33.700
that Jesus is king
00:12:33.700 --> 00:12:34.340
overall
00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:36.259
and that all authority
00:12:36.259 --> 00:12:36.879
in heaven and on earth
00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:38.220
belongs to him.
00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.160
Jesus is seated
00:12:40.160 --> 00:12:41.259
at the right hand of God
00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.060
in the heavenly places
00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:43.520
far above all rule
00:12:43.520 --> 00:12:44.040
and authority
00:12:44.040 --> 00:12:45.000
and power and dominion
00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.080
and above every name
00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:46.759
that is named,
00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:47.920
not only in this age
00:12:47.920 --> 00:12:49.580
but also in the one to come.
00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:52.259
From the archangel Michael
00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.879
to Satan himself,
00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:55.400
no angel or demon
00:12:55.400 --> 00:12:56.040
can thwart
00:12:56.040 --> 00:12:57.540
the progress,
00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.180
the fulfillment
00:12:58.180 --> 00:12:59.180
of this great commission
00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:00.300
because Jesus has
00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:00.980
all authority
00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.900
in heaven and on earth.
00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:05.240
All proper divinely appointed
00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:06.400
authorities in the world,
00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:06.980
fathers,
00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:07.820
elders,
00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:08.639
governors,
00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:09.240
kings,
00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:10.540
their authority
00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:11.340
is all derivative.
00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.440
They derive their authority
00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:14.160
from God
00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:15.120
and have no authority
00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:15.860
in and of themselves.
00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:17.980
The claim that Jesus
00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:19.040
has upon our lives
00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:20.000
trumps all
00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:22.019
and this is why
00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:22.759
you cannot
00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:24.079
wall in Jesus
00:13:24.079 --> 00:13:25.939
or compartmentalize
00:13:25.939 --> 00:13:26.919
the authority of Christ.
00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.360
Jesus has authority
00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:31.120
here in the gathered church
00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:32.299
in the Trinity Cambridge Church.
00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:33.679
I'll speak of him here
00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:34.399
when we are gathered
00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:36.339
but I will not speak of him
00:13:36.339 --> 00:13:37.199
to my neighbors.
00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:39.579
Jesus has authority
00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:40.360
here in the U.S.
00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.019
where we have freedom
00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.480
of religion
00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.579
but in these countries
00:13:42.579 --> 00:13:44.120
where converting
00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:44.579
to Christianity
00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:45.360
is outlawed
00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:46.659
where I'll be persecuted
00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.439
for my faith,
00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:48.540
well there
00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:49.140
that's outside
00:13:49.140 --> 00:13:49.680
of the purview
00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:50.720
of Jesus' authority.
00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:52.920
No it's not.
00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:55.820
Jesus' authority
00:13:55.820 --> 00:13:57.220
cannot be contained.
00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:58.640
It overcomes
00:13:58.640 --> 00:14:00.040
and overrules
00:14:00.040 --> 00:14:01.020
every limit
00:14:01.020 --> 00:14:01.920
and boundary
00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:03.260
that we placed upon it
00:14:03.260 --> 00:14:04.960
for all authority
00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:05.640
in heaven and on earth
00:14:05.640 --> 00:14:06.600
has been given to him.
00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:08.900
God the Father
00:14:08.900 --> 00:14:10.200
has highly exalted Jesus
00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:10.660
and given him
00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:11.500
the name that is above
00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.140
every name
00:14:12.140 --> 00:14:12.900
so that at the name
00:14:12.900 --> 00:14:13.280
of Jesus
00:14:13.280 --> 00:14:14.260
every knee should bow
00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:15.679
and every tongue confess
00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.819
that Jesus Christ
00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.220
is Lord
00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:17.700
to the glory
00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.559
of God the Father.
00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.779
God has put all things
00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:21.460
in subjection
00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.139
under Jesus
00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.059
so that in the end
00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:23.659
when the Son
00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.600
gladly submits
00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.720
and subjects himself
00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:26.419
to the Father
00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.919
all glory redounds
00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:28.340
to him
00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.120
so that God
00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.100
may be all in all.
00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.720
Are you aggrieved
00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.439
by the fact
00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:34.399
that there are rebels
00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.039
who defy
00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.019
the lordship of Christ
00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.659
in our city
00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:38.460
and throughout the world?
00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:40.580
Does it make you
00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:41.039
indignant
00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:42.360
that as the gospel
00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:43.340
goes forth
00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:43.860
in the world
00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:45.120
and as King Jesus
00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.160
rises forth
00:14:46.160 --> 00:14:46.960
in the power
00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.660
of his spirit
00:14:47.660 --> 00:14:49.040
that there are people
00:14:49.040 --> 00:14:50.379
who do not bow their heads
00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.120
before the king?
00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.560
That's our job.
00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:57.060
Heralds,
00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.019
witnesses
00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:59.800
as disciples of Jesus
00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:00.940
to go and tell them
00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:02.040
what are you doing?
00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:03.820
Why aren't you
00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.560
bowing the knee
00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:05.399
before the king?
00:15:06.300 --> 00:15:07.220
Do you not know
00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:08.340
he is
00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.560
the Christ
00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:11.120
the risen king
00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.879
the son of the living God?
00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:14.620
Have you not hurt?
00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.980
And the fact
00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:18.399
that Jesus
00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.660
has all authority
00:15:19.660 --> 00:15:20.519
is the basis
00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.300
and the warrant
00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:22.399
for the great commission
00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:23.420
to go and make disciples
00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.580
of all nations.
00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.780
Look at verse 19.
00:15:26.660 --> 00:15:26.879
It says,
00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.860
go therefore
00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:29.220
and make disciples
00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:30.259
of all nations.
00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:31.899
Jesus has
00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:33.280
all authority.
00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:34.379
Therefore,
00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:36.280
go and make disciples
00:15:36.280 --> 00:15:37.220
of all nations.
00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:39.160
If Jesus were
00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:40.139
a local governor
00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.300
or a provincial ruler,
00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.179
we will not have
00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:42.859
to make disciples
00:15:42.859 --> 00:15:43.819
of all nations.
00:15:44.479 --> 00:15:45.419
But because he is
00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:46.419
the king of kings
00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:47.719
and lord of lords
00:15:47.719 --> 00:15:49.240
who has all authority
00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:49.959
in heaven and on earth,
00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.259
we must make disciples
00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.479
of all nations.
00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:55.240
There's a notable contrast
00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:57.139
between Matthew 28, 19
00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:59.000
and Matthew 10, verse 5.
00:15:59.839 --> 00:16:01.319
In Matthew 10, verse 5,
00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.359
prior to his death
00:16:02.359 --> 00:16:02.899
and resurrection,
00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.779
Jesus sent his disciples
00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.939
out with this instruction.
00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:08.120
Go nowhere
00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:10.000
among the Gentiles
00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.660
and enter no town
00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.560
of the Samaritans,
00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:13.520
but go rather
00:16:13.520 --> 00:16:14.460
to the lost sheep
00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.700
of the house of Israel
00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:17.720
and proclaim as you go,
00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:18.380
saying the kingdom
00:16:18.380 --> 00:16:19.340
of heaven is at hand.
00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.660
That word Gentiles
00:16:21.660 --> 00:16:22.880
there in Matthew 10
00:16:22.880 --> 00:16:24.160
is a different translation
00:16:24.160 --> 00:16:25.560
of the same Greek word
00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:26.300
that's translated
00:16:26.300 --> 00:16:27.160
in 28, 19
00:16:27.160 --> 00:16:27.940
as nations.
00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:30.860
So then in chapter 10,
00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:31.460
Jesus said,
00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.780
don't go to the nations.
00:16:33.380 --> 00:16:34.620
But in chapter 28,
00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.899
he says, go to all the nations.
00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.919
Why the sudden turnaround?
00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:42.060
As Jesus said in John 12, 32,
00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:44.120
it's when Jesus is lifted up
00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:44.980
from the earth
00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:46.460
in his death on the cross
00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:48.460
that he draws all the nations,
00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.820
all peoples to himself.
00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:51.740
It's at the cross
00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.019
that Jesus disarmed
00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:54.279
the rulers and the authorities
00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:55.659
and put them to open shame
00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:56.899
by triumphing over them.
00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.519
It's at the cross
00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.720
that Jesus broke down
00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:01.220
the dividing wall of hostility
00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.320
in his flesh
00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:03.820
between Jews and Gentiles
00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:05.360
by fulfilling the law.
00:17:05.840 --> 00:17:07.920
It's only after his death
00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.480
and resurrection
00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.440
that we can proclaim
00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.680
the good news of salvation
00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:12.240
to Gentiles,
00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.779
to all nations.
00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.900
This is why Jesus said
00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.940
in John 4, 22,
00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.960
that salvation is from the Jews.
00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.920
And Paul echoes that
00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:21.980
in Romans 1, 16.
00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:23.240
The gospel is the power
00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.120
of God for salvation
00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:25.500
to everyone who believes,
00:17:25.820 --> 00:17:27.000
to the Jew first
00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.580
and also to the Greek.
00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:31.720
The Lord spoke to his messianic king
00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.859
in Psalm 2, 8,
00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.159
Ask of me
00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:36.519
and I will make the nations
00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.159
your heritage
00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:38.439
and the ends of the earth
00:17:38.439 --> 00:17:39.119
your possession.
00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.699
And that's precisely
00:17:40.699 --> 00:17:41.559
what God has done
00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.179
for Jesus
00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:43.619
in raising him
00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.259
from the dead.
00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:46.419
The salvation is from the Jews,
00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.439
but it is no longer
00:17:47.439 --> 00:17:49.059
exclusively for the Jews.
00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:51.000
God's plan all along
00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.759
was for salvation
00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:53.240
to go to all the nations
00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.000
from the Jews
00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.839
as he had promised to Abram
00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:57.439
in Genesis chapter 12.
00:17:58.439 --> 00:17:59.079
This mission
00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:00.480
that God calls us to,
00:18:00.699 --> 00:18:02.139
that God involves us in,
00:18:02.459 --> 00:18:03.839
is not a small thing.
00:18:04.439 --> 00:18:05.279
It is grand,
00:18:05.639 --> 00:18:06.359
it is glorious,
00:18:06.959 --> 00:18:08.459
and it is cosmic in scope.
00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.759
So let us make it
00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.199
our ambition
00:18:11.199 --> 00:18:12.199
to preach the gospel
00:18:12.199 --> 00:18:13.559
where Christ has not
00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.839
already been named.
00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.919
There are tribes
00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:17.919
and languages,
00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:18.619
peoples,
00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.199
and nations
00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.339
who have not heard
00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.500
the name of Jesus Christ.
00:18:22.459 --> 00:18:24.139
How can they bow the knee
00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:24.819
to a king
00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.960
that they have not heard of?
00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.960
There are rebel forces
00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.619
defying the lordship of Jesus
00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.639
all throughout the world,
00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.379
so let us go
00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.759
and share Christ
00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.939
and his gospel with them
00:18:33.939 --> 00:18:35.480
so that they pledge allegiance
00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.639
to our gracious king.
00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:40.159
We pray for 12 foreign countries
00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:41.279
throughout the calendar year,
00:18:41.419 --> 00:18:42.200
one per month.
00:18:42.919 --> 00:18:43.919
Algeria, Bangladesh,
00:18:44.179 --> 00:18:45.439
China, India, Indonesia,
00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.879
Iran, Japan, Myanmar,
00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:49.039
Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand,
00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:52.240
because we have gospel partners there
00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.059
who are working there
00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.720
that we support,
00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.940
and or because there are
00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:57.000
many peoples in those countries
00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:58.339
among whom Christ
00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:59.919
has not already been named.
00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:03.480
Can we one day as a church,
00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.399
as a local church,
00:19:04.899 --> 00:19:06.679
send missionary teams out
00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:08.359
to each of those countries
00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.519
to make disciples
00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:11.000
and plant churches?
00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:14.759
Can we pray and serve
00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.480
and give and teach
00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.319
toward that end?
00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:20.819
Can we one day as a church
00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:22.599
plant churches in Albany,
00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:24.740
Schenectady, Troy, New York,
00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:27.419
Springfield, Holyoke, Massachusetts,
00:19:27.659 --> 00:19:28.539
Burlington, Vermont,
00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:30.619
Portland, Auburn, Maine,
00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:32.399
Hartford, New Haven, Connecticut?
00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:35.200
Some of the least churched
00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.879
and most unbelieving cities
00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:38.159
in this entire country
00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:39.679
are all here in the northeast
00:19:39.679 --> 00:19:40.799
within striking distance
00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.419
of our church.
00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:43.660
Are we not here
00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:45.240
in the capital of New England,
00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.980
the least Christian region
00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.640
in our country?
00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.580
Are we not here
00:19:49.580 --> 00:19:50.660
in Cambridge,
00:19:51.060 --> 00:19:51.740
the Jerusalem
00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.960
of higher education
00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.240
throughout the world
00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.759
where people from every tribe
00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.960
and language and nation
00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:58.340
come to study and work?
00:19:58.860 --> 00:20:00.039
Are we not here
00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.539
for such a time as this?
00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.500
Pray that God
00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.680
would send more labors
00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:07.920
into these ripe harvest fields,
00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:09.740
that God would raise up labors
00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:11.120
from our very own midst,
00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.460
that we would have
00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.200
the resources
00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:14.299
and the resolve
00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.500
and the resilience
00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.480
to sacrifice
00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.740
and to send
00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:19.420
and to make disciples
00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.259
among all nations.
00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:23.299
I also want you to know
00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.299
that it's not only those
00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:24.980
who pick up
00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:25.980
and leave town
00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:28.680
to be a missionary
00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:30.240
or to plant churches,
00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.980
that they're not the only ones
00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.400
who are obeying
00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.120
the Great Commission.
00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:35.120
The first word
00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:36.700
of verse 19 is go.
00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:39.440
It's translated in the ESV
00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.259
as an imperative,
00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:42.220
but it is not an imperative.
00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.779
It's a participle
00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.740
in the original Greek,
00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.620
like the word baptizing
00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.400
and teaching.
00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.620
As you go, therefore,
00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:51.880
or going, therefore,
00:20:52.320 --> 00:20:53.039
make disciples
00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:53.860
of all nations,
00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.259
baptizing them
00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:56.000
in the name of the Father
00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.519
and of the Son
00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.259
and of the Holy Spirit,
00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.180
teaching them
00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.799
to observe all
00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.740
that I have commanded you.
00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:01.680
All three participles,
00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:03.799
going, baptizing, teaching,
00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:05.259
they all modify
00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.960
the imperative,
00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.240
make disciples.
00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.539
That's the single command.
00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.600
That's the main command.
00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.580
Make disciples.
00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:13.759
And going and baptizing
00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.160
and teaching
00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.539
are how you do that.
00:21:16.340 --> 00:21:17.100
And that means
00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:18.299
wherever you are,
00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:20.279
wherever you are going,
00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.299
right now,
00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:22.500
you should be making disciples.
00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.460
When we read
00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.180
the book of Acts,
00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.360
we see that it's not only
00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.080
those who travel
00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:27.900
to other places
00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:29.320
with the express purpose
00:21:29.320 --> 00:21:30.340
of proclaiming the gospel
00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:31.200
who make disciples.
00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:32.960
There are people like that,
00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.840
Philip and Paul
00:21:33.840 --> 00:21:34.400
and Barnabas
00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:35.100
and Apollos.
00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:36.939
But there are also people
00:21:36.939 --> 00:21:38.619
like those who are mentioned
00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.859
in Acts 8, 1-4,
00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:41.059
those who are scattered
00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.899
throughout the region
00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:43.159
of Samaria and Judea
00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:44.799
because of a great persecution
00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.459
that broke out
00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:46.119
against the church
00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:46.659
in Jerusalem.
00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.839
They had no intention
00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.779
of leaving Jerusalem.
00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:51.199
They were scattered
00:21:51.199 --> 00:21:52.359
by circumstances
00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:53.299
beyond their control.
00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:54.039
They were scattered
00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.159
by great persecution.
00:21:55.939 --> 00:21:56.799
And yet,
00:21:56.939 --> 00:21:57.859
wherever they went,
00:21:58.199 --> 00:21:59.319
they spread the gospel.
00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:02.159
Wherever you are scattered,
00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.660
it is our job,
00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.420
it is our mission
00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:06.000
to scatter the seeds
00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.540
of the gospel.
00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:09.240
Maybe,
00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:11.800
maybe some of you
00:22:11.800 --> 00:22:12.560
are scattered here
00:22:12.560 --> 00:22:13.240
because of school
00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.920
or a program
00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.600
that you got into
00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:16.440
or work that you found
00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:18.000
or relationship
00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.980
that you got into
00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:21.220
or maybe you'll be scattered
00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.000
further from here
00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.960
to other places.
00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.940
But wherever you are
00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:26.140
going,
00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:26.820
therefore,
00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.940
make disciples
00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.860
of Jesus Christ.
00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.580
It's not only the apostles
00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.819
who receive the Holy Spirit.
00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:35.240
All of God's people
00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.279
receive the Holy Spirit
00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.879
to be empowered
00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.960
to go and make disciples.
00:22:39.199 --> 00:22:39.939
And if you're here
00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:40.779
in Boston right now,
00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.399
start here.
00:22:42.679 --> 00:22:43.759
Moving across the ocean
00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.859
or changing zip codes
00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:46.259
does not automatically
00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.279
make one a missionary.
00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.279
If you are not sharing
00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:49.939
the gospel here
00:22:49.939 --> 00:22:50.559
with anybody,
00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:51.799
you will not share it
00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.819
when you change your zip code.
00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.579
So start here.
00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.500
Start making disciples.
00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.859
Making disciples
00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:01.319
also involves baptizing.
00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.740
If you confess
00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.599
with your mouth
00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.519
that Jesus is Lord
00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.759
and believe in your heart
00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.079
that God raised him
00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.639
from the dead,
00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.679
you will be saved.
00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.639
If you are to be saved,
00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.359
you must have
00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:12.419
an inward faith
00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.799
in the risen Lord,
00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:15.480
but you also must confess
00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.299
with your mouth
00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.220
that Jesus is Lord.
00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:17.779
There must be
00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.899
an outward profession.
00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:20.779
And baptism
00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.059
is the sacrament
00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:23.119
that Jesus has commanded
00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:24.000
for us to observe
00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.460
as an outward profession
00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:27.159
of that inward faith.
00:23:28.159 --> 00:23:29.799
And baptism presupposes
00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.319
the context of the church
00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.859
since individual believers
00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.819
are all baptized
00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:35.339
into one body.
00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.259
When you're baptized,
00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:36.859
you're baptized
00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:38.099
into the church,
00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:40.059
into the body of Christ
00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.460
as it says
00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.759
in 1 Corinthians 12, 13.
00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.700
No one can baptize
00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.299
him or herself.
00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.859
It's the gathered body
00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.259
of Christ
00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.700
that baptizes new converts
00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.559
into Christ
00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.799
and into their body.
00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.799
And baptism entails
00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:54.139
repentance of sin
00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:56.020
and renunciation of self.
00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:58.860
Acts 22, 16 says,
00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.080
rise and be baptized
00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:01.700
and wash away your sins,
00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:03.500
calling on the name of Jesus.
00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:05.440
Romans 6, 3 says
00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.200
that all of us
00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.880
who have been baptized
00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.620
into Christ Jesus
00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.240
have been baptized
00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.440
into his death
00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:11.060
so that we might die
00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:12.080
to our former selves
00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:13.820
and walk in the newness of life.
00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.880
That's why we are baptized
00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:17.780
in the name of the Father
00:24:17.780 --> 00:24:18.500
and of the Son
00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.680
and of the Holy Spirit.
00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:22.180
Notice that the word name
00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.080
there is singular.
00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.359
It doesn't say the names
00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.819
of the Father, Son, and Spirit
00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:27.539
but the singular name
00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.779
of the Father, the Son,
00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.399
and the Holy Spirit
00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:31.339
which is a startling assertion
00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:32.599
of the divinity of Christ.
00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:34.319
The Lord God
00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.759
of the Old Testament,
00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.399
Yahweh,
00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.460
who created the world
00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.619
and who split the Red Sea
00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.519
and delivered Israel
00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.240
from Egypt
00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:42.720
is the same Lord God
00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.679
because Jesus is the second person
00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:45.240
of the Trinity,
00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:47.059
the Son of the living God.
00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:49.379
So he has the name
00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:51.220
of the Father and the Son
00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.740
and the Spirit
00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.759
and that's why
00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.819
in the book of Acts
00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.579
people often,
00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:56.140
the church often baptizes people
00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.799
in the name of Jesus
00:24:57.799 --> 00:25:00.120
because to baptize people
00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:00.779
in the name of Jesus
00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:02.160
is to baptize them
00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.000
in the name of the Father
00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.500
and the Son
00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.740
and the Holy Spirit.
00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.920
There's one name
00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.480
that is above
00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.420
every other name
00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:10.319
and why is the name
00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:11.359
of God significant?
00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:13.140
Because a name
00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.779
is personal.
00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:16.740
A name represents someone,
00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:18.140
it stands for someone.
00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:20.660
A name brings us
00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.900
into covenant relationship
00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.460
with God.
00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.759
I read a news story
00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:27.080
of the Rohingya refugee family
00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:27.759
from Myanmar.
00:25:28.820 --> 00:25:29.580
As a refugee,
00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:30.720
at first,
00:25:30.800 --> 00:25:32.040
they had no recognized
00:25:32.040 --> 00:25:33.280
legal identity
00:25:33.280 --> 00:25:34.360
because they didn't have
00:25:34.360 --> 00:25:35.740
any identification papers.
00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.720
They had no official status.
00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.980
They couldn't get
00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.740
a driver's license.
00:25:39.840 --> 00:25:40.480
They couldn't even open
00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.160
a bank account
00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.740
in their name.
00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.559
But after getting
00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:45.259
resettled in the U.S.,
00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.740
they broke down in tears
00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:48.099
when they first received
00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:49.319
their official documents
00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:50.279
naming them
00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:52.180
and recognizing their name.
00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:54.000
And the father of the family,
00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.000
speaking on behalf
00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.440
of the other Rohingya people
00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:56.839
as well,
00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:58.180
said to an interviewer,
00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:59.599
for the first time
00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.460
in 100 years,
00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.380
we can say,
00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.599
we have a land,
00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:04.000
we have a home,
00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.759
we have a name.
00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:08.279
We take our names
00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.140
for granted,
00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:10.900
but having a name
00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.880
is no small thing.
00:26:13.080 --> 00:26:13.940
When a wife
00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:15.820
takes on her husband's surname
00:26:15.820 --> 00:26:16.420
and declares,
00:26:16.620 --> 00:26:18.560
I am one flesh with him,
00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.720
it's not insignificant.
00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.900
When an adopted child
00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:24.320
takes on the family name
00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:24.820
and declares,
00:26:25.060 --> 00:26:26.160
I am now a member
00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.300
of this family,
00:26:27.820 --> 00:26:28.900
it's not insignificant.
00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.280
So likewise,
00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.600
a convert to Christianity
00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:32.320
is baptized
00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:33.600
in the name
00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:34.180
of the Father
00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.860
and of the Son
00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.660
and the Holy Spirit.
00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:37.300
They take on a new name,
00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:38.360
a new identity,
00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.259
and they belong
00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.279
to a new family.
00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:42.899
Baptism is the Christians
00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:44.759
planting his or her flag
00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.319
in the ground.
00:26:46.479 --> 00:26:47.539
Why do armies
00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:49.799
carry a cumbersome flag
00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.339
into battle?
00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.299
It's not merely
00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.419
for visual communication
00:26:53.419 --> 00:26:55.059
to provide a rallying point.
00:26:55.439 --> 00:26:56.859
It's a point of pride
00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:58.000
and identity.
00:26:58.459 --> 00:26:59.379
It's about morale
00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.419
and honor.
00:27:01.219 --> 00:27:02.500
So a Christian declares
00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.259
his allegiance
00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.319
by getting baptized
00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.279
in the name
00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.819
of the Father
00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.559
and of the Son
00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.479
and of the Holy Spirit.
00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:09.140
I pledge my allegiance
00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:10.079
to a new king.
00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:12.099
I renounce all other lords
00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:12.980
and I belong
00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.920
to Jesus Christ.
00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.920
If you're a part
00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:16.720
of the king's army,
00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:17.640
you have to play,
00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.740
you have to fly
00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.700
the king's flag.
00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.240
I've heard
00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.400
Pastor Alistair Begg
00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:23.940
say once,
00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:25.079
there is no such thing
00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:26.099
as a secret disciple.
00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:28.000
Either the secrecy
00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.319
will kill the discipleship
00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.700
or the discipleship
00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.920
will kill the secrecy.
00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:34.160
Making disciples
00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:35.299
involves going
00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.500
and making disciples
00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.879
involves baptizing
00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:39.740
people from all nations
00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:41.099
joining the one kingdom
00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.940
under the lordship
00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.899
of Jesus Christ.
00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.200
Jesus continues
00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.000
in verse 20,
00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.500
teaching them
00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.319
to observe all
00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:49.559
that I have commanded you.
00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.319
All authority,
00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.259
all nations,
00:27:52.419 --> 00:27:53.200
all commands.
00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.700
Making disciples
00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.879
involves teaching.
00:27:56.419 --> 00:27:56.819
Why?
00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.720
Because the very word
00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.700
disciple in Greek
00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.619
means learner,
00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.980
a student,
00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:03.319
an apprentice.
00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.220
Jesus is telling
00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:06.140
his 11 disciples
00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:07.640
to make disciples
00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:08.599
and that means
00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:10.240
Jesus is saying
00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.579
to them,
00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.779
replicate yourselves.
00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.059
You are my disciples.
00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.680
Now go and make disciples.
00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.180
Replicate yourselves.
00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.839
Bring others
00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.759
to follow me
00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.620
and learn from me
00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.480
the way you have done
00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.299
up to this point.
00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.759
This is why
00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:24.279
discipling doesn't have
00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:25.759
to be overly complicated.
00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.640
If you are a Christian,
00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.559
by definition,
00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:30.319
you understand the gospel
00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.359
and that means
00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.379
you can share the gospel
00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:33.279
with non-Christians.
00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.740
You don't need
00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.599
a seminary degree
00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.159
for that
00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:37.879
and you can invite
00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:38.599
non-Christians
00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.200
or Christians
00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.779
who are younger
00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.399
in the faith
00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:41.839
than you
00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.939
to do a Bible study
00:28:42.939 --> 00:28:43.359
with you.
00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:44.659
Start small.
00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.720
Start with one book.
00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.639
We just went through
00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.319
the Gospel of Matthew.
00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.720
We're in the last passage
00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.379
of the Gospel of Matthew.
00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:51.740
You can go through
00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.359
the Gospel of Matthew
00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:52.740
with them.
00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.740
You go through
00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:56.039
the Sermon on the Mount
00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.859
maybe if you want
00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.679
to do a shorter study
00:28:57.679 --> 00:28:58.039
with them.
00:28:58.659 --> 00:28:59.460
If you forgot
00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.039
what you learned
00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.440
well,
00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.180
very conveniently
00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.980
all the sermons
00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.519
are recorded
00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.019
and posted
00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.639
on our website.
00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:04.960
You could use it
00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.480
as a reference
00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.359
and as a resource.
00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:09.579
You open up
00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:10.279
the Word together.
00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.200
You teach them
00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.039
what you're learning
00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.599
from God.
00:29:12.899 --> 00:29:13.700
What you've learned
00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:14.220
in church.
00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:17.039
And then pray with them.
00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:17.579
You open up
00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.379
your heart to them.
00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:19.859
Show them
00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.680
how you are following
00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.599
Christ in your life.
00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.920
Be an example
00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.379
for them.
00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.099
That's how you make
00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:26.319
disciples of Jesus Christ.
00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:29.740
And remember
00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.279
that you are not
00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.899
making disciples
00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:31.559
of yourselves.
00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.119
You are making
00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:34.539
disciples of Jesus Christ.
00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.819
You are not making
00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:38.099
disciples of Sean Wu
00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:39.139
or Ed Kang either.
00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.779
You are making
00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:42.359
disciples of Jesus Christ.
00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.619
They are to observe
00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:46.079
all that Jesus
00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:47.079
has commanded them.
00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:49.119
If you are not
00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:50.319
learning and obeying
00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:50.919
the commandments
00:29:50.919 --> 00:29:51.779
of the Lord Jesus,
00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.819
you are not a disciple
00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.439
of Christ.
00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:56.019
In John 8, 31,
00:29:56.139 --> 00:29:57.279
Jesus said to the Jews
00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.619
who had believed him,
00:29:58.679 --> 00:29:59.059
he says,
00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.919
if you abide in my word,
00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.899
you are truly
00:30:02.899 --> 00:30:03.740
my disciples
00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:05.079
and you will know
00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.559
the truth
00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.079
and the truth
00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.899
will set you free.
00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.579
Apparently,
00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.319
some of these Jews
00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:11.759
who had believed
00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.579
in Jesus
00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:14.200
are not truly
00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.859
his disciples.
00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.000
Why not?
00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:18.339
Because they do not
00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.379
yet abide in
00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:20.819
or remain in
00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.659
or hold on
00:30:21.659 --> 00:30:22.299
to his word.
00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.399
They are not
00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:24.079
observing
00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:25.500
all that he
00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.319
has commanded them.
00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:27.919
Whoever does not
00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:29.019
bear his own cross
00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.779
and come after me
00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.939
cannot be my disciple,
00:30:31.079 --> 00:30:31.539
Jesus said
00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:33.119
in Luke 14, 27.
00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.819
And Jesus doesn't say
00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.939
teach them to observe
00:30:35.939 --> 00:30:37.240
some of what
00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.759
I have commanded.
00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.500
No, he says
00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.419
obey
00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:42.000
all that I have
00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.579
commanded you.
00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.460
We don't get
00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.319
to pick and choose.
00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.139
We're so used
00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.619
to laws
00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.279
that we can
00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.740
keep selectively
00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:50.019
but God's commands
00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.659
are not like
00:30:50.659 --> 00:30:51.460
those human laws.
00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:53.120
And these are
00:30:53.120 --> 00:30:54.059
divine commands
00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:55.539
not mere suggestions.
00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.759
Sometimes I see
00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.539
Christians act
00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.980
like biblical commands
00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.079
are mere suggestions
00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:02.539
that you only need
00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:02.940
to follow
00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.720
when it's convenient
00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:05.019
for yourself.
00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:07.279
And their behavior
00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:08.019
proves that they
00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:09.220
do not truly submit
00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:10.299
to the lordship of Christ.
00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.860
They're still trying
00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:12.720
to be their own lords.
00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.420
You might say
00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:14.980
that you believe
00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.380
in Jesus
00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.059
but if you are not
00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:17.360
abiding in his word
00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.959
and if you are living
00:31:18.959 --> 00:31:19.740
in willful
00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.759
disobedience
00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.699
to his commands
00:31:21.699 --> 00:31:22.759
then you are not
00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.500
his disciple.
00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:25.619
God is not looking
00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:26.159
for mere
00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:27.399
one time converts.
00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.219
He's looking for
00:31:29.219 --> 00:31:30.079
lifelong
00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:31.579
mature disciples.
00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.079
Love the Lord
00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.519
your God
00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.639
with all your heart
00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:37.199
and love your neighbor
00:31:37.199 --> 00:31:37.899
as yourself.
00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.559
Do unto others
00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.179
what you would have
00:31:40.179 --> 00:31:40.959
them do to you.
00:31:41.699 --> 00:31:42.779
Rejoice and give thanks.
00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.859
These are all commands
00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.619
that we must obey.
00:31:44.719 --> 00:31:45.199
These are all
00:31:45.199 --> 00:31:46.219
important commands
00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:47.180
frequently repeated
00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:47.680
in scriptures
00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:49.640
but we also must
00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:51.500
not confuse this
00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.519
with the great commission.
00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:54.180
We must not lose
00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.740
our focus
00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.500
on our mission.
00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.259
These commands
00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.299
are the things
00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.740
that we must teach
00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.980
the disciples
00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:02.600
to observe and obey
00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:04.019
but that's not
00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.940
the great commission.
00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.700
That's not the mission.
00:32:07.640 --> 00:32:08.279
Our mission is
00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.460
to make disciples
00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:10.299
who obey
00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:11.120
all these commands.
00:32:12.620 --> 00:32:13.720
Maybe you're taking care
00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.620
to obey these commands
00:32:14.620 --> 00:32:15.420
in your own life.
00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.420
But are you making
00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.180
disciples
00:32:18.180 --> 00:32:19.059
who are obeying
00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.720
these commands
00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.900
and teaching them
00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.539
to do the same?
00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:23.600
If you are not
00:32:23.600 --> 00:32:24.759
making disciples
00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.480
then you are not
00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.660
obeying the great commission.
00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.700
This mission
00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.720
that Christ has given us
00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.460
has a narrow
00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.799
and specific focus.
00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.339
You start calling
00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:34.140
everything a mission
00:32:34.140 --> 00:32:35.400
then nothing becomes mission.
00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:37.039
We have a mission
00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.220
and that is to make
00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:39.779
disciples of Jesus Christ.
00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:42.620
And then he says
00:32:42.620 --> 00:32:44.480
my fourth and last point
00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.120
all the days
00:32:45.120 --> 00:32:45.700
in verse 20
00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.680
teaching them to observe
00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:48.200
all that I have commanded you
00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.339
and behold
00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.799
I am with you
00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:52.599
always to the end
00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.259
of the age.
00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.259
How do we know
00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.200
that this command
00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:57.099
was intended
00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:58.700
for all of Jesus' followers
00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.640
and not only for
00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.519
the twelve?
00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:02.099
Not only for the eleven
00:33:02.099 --> 00:33:02.539
that are here
00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.680
because Jesus is speaking
00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.920
to the eleven apostles here.
00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:06.779
How do we know that?
00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:09.120
Because the scope
00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:09.940
of the command
00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:12.320
and what Jesus promises here
00:33:12.320 --> 00:33:13.460
goes beyond
00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:14.000
the lifetime
00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:15.279
of the original apostles.
00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:16.620
He says
00:33:16.620 --> 00:33:17.860
behold I am with you
00:33:17.860 --> 00:33:19.080
always to the end
00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:19.820
of the age.
00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:20.620
The end of the age
00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:21.180
is not here.
00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.400
And Jesus said
00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:25.460
in John 17
00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.200
he prayed
00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:27.180
for his disciples
00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:28.500
as you sent me
00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.039
into the world
00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:30.299
so I have sent them
00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:31.000
into the world
00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:32.240
and for their sake
00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:33.539
I consecrate myself
00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.700
that they also
00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:36.120
may be sanctified
00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:36.640
in truth.
00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.160
I do not ask
00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:39.000
for these only
00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:40.060
but also for those
00:33:40.060 --> 00:33:41.120
who will believe in me
00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:42.200
through their word
00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.980
that they may all be one
00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:44.960
just as you
00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:46.040
Father are in me
00:33:46.040 --> 00:33:46.779
and I in you
00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:47.680
that they also
00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.480
may be in us
00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.279
so that the world
00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:49.840
may believe
00:33:49.840 --> 00:33:50.900
that you have sent me.
00:33:51.660 --> 00:33:52.480
Jesus sent out
00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.040
his disciples
00:33:53.040 --> 00:33:54.500
but he's not
00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:55.560
sending them only.
00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:56.800
He prays not only
00:33:56.800 --> 00:33:57.180
for them
00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:58.440
but also for all
00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:59.000
those who will
00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.900
believe in him
00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:01.880
through their word.
00:34:02.540 --> 00:34:04.660
All the subsequent
00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:05.800
following generations
00:34:05.800 --> 00:34:06.580
of Christians
00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:08.179
we are all sent out
00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:09.179
with the same task
00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:09.980
the great commission
00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:11.579
and that promise
00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.519
still stands.
00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.819
It's not so much
00:34:14.819 --> 00:34:15.299
a promise
00:34:15.299 --> 00:34:16.239
as it is a reality
00:34:16.239 --> 00:34:16.920
and a fact.
00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.199
Jesus says
00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.860
I am with you
00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:21.279
to the very end
00:34:21.279 --> 00:34:21.679
of the age.
00:34:21.779 --> 00:34:22.980
I am with you
00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.400
always
00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:23.920
to the end
00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:24.519
of the age.
00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.500
When you share
00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:26.920
the gospel
00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:27.539
with your neighbors
00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:28.319
when you are
00:34:28.319 --> 00:34:28.900
persecuted
00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:29.500
reviled
00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.279
and ridiculed
00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:30.960
and imprisoned
00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:32.000
for his name's sake
00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.519
Jesus says
00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:33.659
I am with you
00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:34.179
always
00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:35.099
to the end
00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:35.699
of the age
00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:36.859
and is that
00:34:36.859 --> 00:34:37.480
authority
00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:38.219
the bookends
00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:38.859
the authority
00:34:38.859 --> 00:34:39.539
all authority
00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.439
that Jesus has
00:34:40.439 --> 00:34:41.659
and the promise
00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.559
that he will be
00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:42.899
with us
00:34:42.899 --> 00:34:43.919
all the days
00:34:43.919 --> 00:34:45.500
that helps us
00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.679
the weak
00:34:46.679 --> 00:34:47.859
and frail we are
00:34:47.859 --> 00:34:48.659
like the disciples
00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:49.319
who doubted
00:34:49.319 --> 00:34:50.619
to still go
00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:51.599
and share the good news
00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:52.419
of Jesus Christ
00:34:52.419 --> 00:34:54.259
with all the nations.
00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:55.839
Let's pray
00:34:55.839 --> 00:34:57.099
that God would help us
00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:57.519
to do that.
00:35:00.319 --> 00:35:00.879
Father
00:35:00.879 --> 00:35:03.119
empower us
00:35:03.119 --> 00:35:03.839
with your spirit
00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:05.860
embolden us
00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:06.260
to share
00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:06.700
the good news
00:35:06.700 --> 00:35:07.519
of Jesus Christ
00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:09.780
show us
00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:10.539
teach us
00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:11.340
how to make
00:35:11.340 --> 00:35:11.760
disciples
00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:12.740
all around us
00:35:12.740 --> 00:35:16.920
that King Jesus
00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:17.840
may be recognized
00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:18.380
everywhere
00:35:18.380 --> 00:35:21.120
that from all
00:35:21.120 --> 00:35:21.539
tribes
00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.079
and peoples
00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:22.640
and nations
00:35:22.640 --> 00:35:23.579
and tongues
00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:25.400
Jesus name
00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:26.220
might be confessed
00:35:26.220 --> 00:35:27.600
that he might be
00:35:27.600 --> 00:35:28.039
worshipped
00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:28.780
and glorified
00:35:28.780 --> 00:35:31.000
Lord may
00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:32.059
our discipling
00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:33.699
lead to your worship
00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:35.639
among all the nations
00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.360
in Jesus name
00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:36.719
we pray
00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:37.659
Amen