Title [Matthew 28:16-20] The Last Promise
Text: Matthew 28:16-20
Title: Last Promise
There are three feasts in Christianity. Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. By the way, there are many events that express interest and joy about Christmas, but I do not try to attach much meaning to Easter. Rather, it seems to emphasize the significance of the Holy Week before Easter. Because there is no certainty about the resurrection. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared more than 10 times. The text is about meeting the disciples in a garden in Galilee, entrusting them with the mission, and then promising to be with them. Now, with the title of “Last Promise”, we are going to preach the word focusing on the text and receive grace.
1. Disciples who worshiped the Lord but doubted (17)
2. Jesus who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (18)
Jesus, who is God, already had authority.
In the testimony of the Word, when healing all kinds of diseases, even raising the dead, subduing demons, and commanding nature to obey, there is more than enough testifying that you have authority. However, the resurrected Jesus proclaimed that he had received all authority over all things in the universe from the Father. He testified that he possessed the authority as the king of kings, such as the right to rule over all things and the right to judge. Unlike the poor and weak Lord when he was arrested, crucified, insulted and despised, he is showing his disciples that he is now a powerful Lord, giving them courage and reminding them to fulfill their mission. The risen Lord has all authority. Jesus, who showed his weakness for a while to atone for our sins, restored all authority by his resurrection. We hope that we do not forget that we belong to the powerful family of the Lord and live a life of confidence and positivity in everything we do. Also, I hope that you will practice a life of power in the Lord who is in authority.
3. Jesus gave the mission (18-20)
It is the mission given to the disciples to preach the gospel to all nations and make them the Lord's people. It is the mission of all of us who believe in the Lord as our Savior to make disciples of the Lord, to baptize us in the name of the Trinity, and to teach and keep the Word. We must dedicate everything to fulfilling this mission. When you sacrifice your life and fulfill this mission, you can achieve good results. We should not be discouraged or frustrated that the church is being attacked from all sides. Do not hesitate or give up because there are many embarrassing things. Still, we must preach the gospel. Because it is the Lord's command and mission. “He who sows with tears will reap with joy; he who goes out weeping to sow seed will surely return with joy, with her sheaves” (Psalm 126:5-6).
4. Jesus promised to be with us always until the end of the world (20)
People with God are the happyst people in the world. Because they always win, prosper, and prosper. When God made him work with Joseph, he prospered, and when he was with David, he prospered. The Gospel of Matthew especially begins and ends with Emmanuel. It ended with the promise that Jesus came as Immanuel and that He would be with us. There are no more blessed promises. We must hold onto this last promise made by the ascending Jesus. “Behold, I will always be with you, even to the end of the age.” Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, promised us that Jesus loved us so much that He died on the cross for us. May we renew this promise of the Lord in this feast of the Resurrection. Let's not be discouraged any longer, but let's shake it off and stand up. And I hope to boldly step forward as a missionary. Every day, astonishing miracles will unfold along our way. Because Jesus who broke the authority of death and rose again, the Lord who has all authority in heaven and earth will always be with us.