Title: For Mission
Contents
Text: Matthew 28:18-20
Last week, with the prayers of the saints, I came back after leading a seminary lecture and church revival meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. Thank you that all of this was for missionary work.
If we look at the numerous words of God recorded in the Bible,
In the Old Testament era, the central content was to ‘serve God well’,
In the New Testament era, the central content is to ‘preach the Son of God’.
In the Old Testament era, the most alarming thing is the ‘rejection of idols of the four gods’ as seen in the Ten Commandments. “You shall have no other gods besides me, you shall not make any idols, you shall not make any image, you shall not bow down to it, you shall not serve it,” he said. The flow of the Old Testament is generally a negative imperative, “don’t do it.”
On the other hand, the flow of the New Testament says “do” in a positive imperative form. “Believe in Jesus, be saved, and receive the Holy Spirit.”
However, among the commands of the Word, the command, the Great Command, is “the command to spread the gospel.” Acts 1:8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Paul also told Timothy, “Preach the gospel in season and out of season.”
Then, let's take a look at how Jesus came to this earth to preach the gospel.
1. He came as Jesus with authority.
What does “authority” mean in verse 18 where “all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth”? ①Hell) 'Bia' (Acts 5:26; 27:41)- 'Strength' ②Gel) 'Dunamis' (2 Peter 2:11) is natural power ③Gel) 'Isquis' is strong power ④Gel)' 'Kratos' is God's power ⑤ Hel) 'Equsia' (John 5:27; Matthew 28:18) means a legal right. Summing up this, authority refers to ‘having a legal status to use one’s ability’.
Originally, this authority belonged to God,
① It was given to Jesus by the authority of God.
That is why, in 1 John 3:8, there was no one who could destroy the works of the devil before, but it is said, “For the Son of God has appeared to destroy the works of the devil. By the way
②Jesus gave this authority to his disciples (us).
As John 1:12 says, “To those who believed in Jesus and who called on his name, he gave the right to become “children of God”. The Apostle Paul said, “Put off the old man and put on the new man” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Dear brothers and sisters, we all receive the Spirit of adoption and call God “Father”, but now we spread our shoulders and bless you to live a victorious life.
③ The authority given by Jesus is the authority in heaven and on earth.
As in Matthew 16, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” I pray that you will become empowered in your life.
2. He came as Jesus who gives authority.
Why did Jesus give us authority?
① He gave us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
We have a responsibility to spread the gospel so that all peoples can believe in Jesus. Revelation 21:12 says, “Behold, I am coming soon, and I have a reward with which I will repay each one according to what he has done.” In Matthew 24:14, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” He said that God, who created heaven and earth, will close the chapter of human history with the salvation of all people.
② It is to baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Baptism is a sign of salvation, as 1 Peter 3:21 says, “It is not the removal of unclean things (the blood of Jesus), but a good conscience seeking God.” Believers who have been born again by water and the Spirit must long for God.
③ It is to teach and keep the words of Jesus (Matthew 28:20).
3. He came as Jesus with the saints with authority (Matthew 28:20).
Jesus came to this earth as the Lord of “Immanuel”, “God is with us” as seen in Matthew 1:23. He also sent another Counselor, the Spirit of Truth, to make us a temple and dwell with us.
God's will is for more people to be sanctified as God's children as the saints who have been saved through Jesus receive the Holy Spirit and preach the gospel to all people. And he commanded us to “preach the gospel to every creature.” Evangelism is our mission.
Ezekiel 3:18-19; In verse 33:8 God speaks to us. “Unless you warn the wicked with your words and turn from his way, he will die in his iniquities, but I will seek his blood from your hand. But you warn the wicked, unless he turns from his way, he