WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.040 us to obedience. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:05.940 --> 00:00:09.900 Well, to continue this mission's theme this morning, we're going to be looking at Matthew 00:00:09.900 --> 00:00:16.519 28 at the Great Commission. And if you're familiar with where this takes place in the 00:00:16.519 --> 00:00:21.600 book of Matthew, this is the very, very end of Matthew's gospel. Matthew, unlike some 00:00:21.600 --> 00:00:27.120 of the other gospels, doesn't spend a whole lot of time after Jesus' resurrection. He 00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:33.340 seems as though he's getting quickly to this climax of his gospel in verse 16. And so 00:00:33.340 --> 00:00:37.460 let's read together Matthew 28, starting in verse 16. 00:00:38.679 --> 00:00:43.439 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:50.140 go. And when they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and 00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:55.960 said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make 00:00:55.960 --> 00:01:02.140 disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:08.140 of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely 00:01:08.140 --> 00:01:13.540 I am with you always to the very end of the age. This is the word of God. 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:20.460 So I have a small office at the Free Church building, which is located at the top of the 00:01:20.460 --> 00:01:25.219 mound. It's on the second floor. And if you know the building, the back of the building faces 00:01:25.219 --> 00:01:30.219 this courtyard that you can get to from the Royal Mile. So naturally, it's a place where 00:01:30.219 --> 00:01:35.219 you get a lot of tourists, a lot of tour groups come through there. So it can be kind of distracting 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:41.340 when I'm at my desk and hear these kind of this constant cycle of tourists. But this past 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:47.219 week, as I was preparing for the sermon, I heard something rather unusual. Instead of the 00:01:47.219 --> 00:01:52.219 typical speech from the tour guide, I heard this harmonica playing. And it was this harmonica 00:01:52.219 --> 00:01:59.219 playing the theme song to the Titanic movie, My Heart Will Go On. And it was so bizarre that I had 00:01:59.219 --> 00:02:03.219 to turn around from my desk and look outside my window to see who is doing this, where is this 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:08.219 coming from? And it was this young, probably 20-something year old guy who was sitting on the 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:14.219 wall right outside my window, playing this song on a harmonica over and over again. And I'm kidding you 00:02:14.219 --> 00:02:19.219 not, it was probably 20 minutes he's going on. And to be perfectly honest, it was not the most skillful 00:02:19.219 --> 00:02:26.219 rendition of this song I've ever heard. It might have been he just got this harmonica as a gift. 00:02:26.219 --> 00:02:34.219 It was so bizarre, I didn't have any context for why he was there, why he was playing this song 00:02:34.219 --> 00:02:42.219 with this instrument. And it's made me think, as it relates to this passage today, this is something 00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:49.219 that we're very, a passage we're likely very familiar with. But it may seem very bizarre when it's taken 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:56.219 out of context, as it often can be. Anytime you have a missions week, this is kind of the go-to passage 00:02:56.219 --> 00:03:02.219 that people preach from. But it may not be with full understanding of what's going on, what's the context. 00:03:02.219 --> 00:03:09.219 I had no idea why this guy was there. Was he a student? Was he a tourist? Was this a new skill? 00:03:09.219 --> 00:03:15.219 Was he practicing for something? If I was in his shoes, I don't know, this courtyard is surrounded 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:21.219 by walls on four sides with offices and flats reaching six stories up. A very public place to be 00:03:21.219 --> 00:03:29.219 playing. And I had no context for what he was doing. And so similarly today, I think it's often we can, we can hear 00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:36.219 these words of Jesus. We can know that this is a command that he gives us, but not remember the context 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:44.219 in which they're given. And so that's what I want us to look at today as we consider, where does this 00:03:44.219 --> 00:03:54.219 command fit into the biblical narrative? What does it have to do with God's overall mission? And so what I 00:03:54.219 --> 00:04:01.219 want us to consider then as we look at this passage is I want us to think back. I want us to consider 00:04:01.219 --> 00:04:09.219 not to see this great commission as a starting point, as if it's a new command for a new plan that God has, 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:16.220 but to see it as more of a midpoint. That we can look back to see all that has happened that has brought 00:04:16.220 --> 00:04:23.220 us to this point and then recognize what this calling means for us going forward. And so let's start then 00:04:23.220 --> 00:04:30.220 by looking back. What is this great commission? How does it relate to this? What is this mission's 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:37.220 mandate that we're given? How does it relate to everything we see prior in the scriptures? And I 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:43.220 think we get our first clues about how the great commission relates to the past. Actually, when we, we 00:04:43.220 --> 00:04:49.220 stay in the new Testament, when we move to the book of Acts, if you're familiar with the book of Acts, this 00:04:49.220 --> 00:04:56.220 gives the story of the New Testament church. We know that after Jesus ascended to heaven, he promised 00:04:56.220 --> 00:05:03.220 that he would send a helper. His Holy Spirit came and dwelled his people, gave them the power and the 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:08.220 ability to preach the gospel to those around them. And through the work of the Spirit, we see many come 00:05:08.220 --> 00:05:15.220 to Christ. We see the beginnings of the New Testament church. And so interesting, as we walk through the book of 00:05:15.220 --> 00:05:23.220 Acts, there's this contention that starts to build among some of Jesus' disciples when they question, who is the 00:05:23.220 --> 00:05:32.220 gospel for? Is the gospel meant just for God's people, the Jewish people, or is it meant for Gentiles too? And so if we 00:05:32.220 --> 00:05:40.220 look to Acts 15, we see the disciples debating and some are arguing rightly the gospel is meant for all. But it's 00:05:40.220 --> 00:05:46.220 interesting, it's not recorded here, what you may think would be the basis for this argument to say, 00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:52.220 hey, look, Jesus told us to go make disciples of all nations. And so this is what we're going to do. 00:05:52.220 --> 00:06:01.220 Instead in Acts 15, it records James quoting from the Old Testament from the prophet Amos. And he says these 00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:09.220 words, after this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild and I will 00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:17.220 restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the 00:06:17.220 --> 00:06:23.220 Lord who does these things, things known from long ago. And so for James here, the basis of his argument is 00:06:23.220 --> 00:06:30.220 the basis of his argument is not simply the words of Jesus, but the prophecy from long ago that points 00:06:30.220 --> 00:06:39.220 forward to Jesus. Again, if we stay in Acts 13, the Apostle Paul is preaching in Antioch to a large Jewish 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:47.220 group who gets very jealous of the thought that he is proclaiming this gospel among the Gentiles. And again, 00:06:47.220 --> 00:06:54.220 you may expect, here's a spot where Paul can base his efforts on the words of Jesus. Look, Jesus, I'm 00:06:54.220 --> 00:07:00.220 doing this because Jesus told me to. But he doesn't do that either. He too points back to another prophet, 00:07:00.220 --> 00:07:07.220 to the prophet Isaiah. What we read earlier, I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring 00:07:07.220 --> 00:07:13.220 salvation to the ends of the earth. So again, he's not ignoring the words of Jesus, but he's pointing out how 00:07:13.220 --> 00:07:20.220 Jesus' command that he gives us here in the end of Matthew is consistent with prophecy from long ago. 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:27.220 And so this not only occurs among Jesus' disciples, but we see this from the words of Jesus himself. 00:07:27.220 --> 00:07:32.220 I mentioned that the gospel of Matthew is very condensed, how it ends from resurrection until 00:07:32.220 --> 00:07:39.220 the Great Commission. But if we look to the gospel of Luke in chapter 24, Jesus appears to his disciples 00:07:39.220 --> 00:07:45.220 a few times, it says. And in each time, he's trying to give them understanding as to what has happened, 00:07:45.220 --> 00:07:53.220 what God's mission is. And it says that he points to the law of Moses and to the prophets and to the Psalms 00:07:53.220 --> 00:07:59.220 so that they may understand what the scripture says concerning himself. And so Jesus is telling his disciples 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:07.220 that this story of redemption, it doesn't simply begin at the cross. But God, from the beginning of time, 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:16.220 has been working, that he's always had a plan, a mission for the salvation of his people. And so thinking back 00:08:16.220 --> 00:08:22.220 on the Great Commission, these words, they may sound new to us, but in fact, it's a repeat of what we hear 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:28.220 over and over again in the scriptures. And the two things that should stick out to us as we read this commission 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:39.220 is first, God reigns. We see Jesus as king, but he also has a role for his people. And so as we look back at the Old Testament then, 00:08:39.220 --> 00:08:45.220 to kind of provide an overview of the context of this Great Commission, we're going to see that over and over again. 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:55.220 God's reign and his role for man. And so if we think again, if we go back to the very beginning of the Bible, to the book of Genesis, 00:08:55.220 --> 00:09:01.220 which includes a creation story, it begins, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 00:09:01.220 --> 00:09:12.220 God is asserting himself as creator, as ruler over everything. And it gives us account of what happens on each day of creation. 00:09:12.220 --> 00:09:22.220 And so on day six, we see the creation of man. Man made in God's image. This is supposed to be the pinnacle of his creation. 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:35.220 And we say on that very same day that God gives man a commission. A commission to fill the earth and to subdue and rule over all creation. 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:43.220 And so when we hear the words to rule and to subdue, in our day and age that may have a negative connotation. 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:52.220 We may think of tyranny and abuse from certain governments. But that's not what God is instructing Adam to do here, 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:58.220 because we recognize that this commission is given before the fall, before sin has entered the world. 00:09:58.220 --> 00:10:07.220 And so this commission to subdue and to rule, it's given in the context of perfect union with God. 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:12.220 That his image bearers may spread his blessing throughout all the earth. 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:19.220 And so it really points forward because after day six comes day seven, where God rests. 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:28.220 And it's in this Sabbath rest that we recognize this full, we have this full realization of God's presence with his people. 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:36.220 And so this subduing and this ruling, this command that's given to Adam is pointing to this day. 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:45.220 That Adam is to be effectively gathering together all of creation for the praise and the worship and the glory of God. 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:50.220 But if we know the story of creation, this is short lived. 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:55.220 This is not a role that Adam is able to complete or fulfill completely. 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:58.220 We know that through Adam, sin and death enter the world. 00:10:58.220 --> 00:11:04.220 And this role, this priestly role that Adam has, has been broken. 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:07.220 And as a result, he's banished from the garden. 00:11:07.220 --> 00:11:15.220 And so even though this, this role of Adam has, was a failure on his part, God's reign was not compromised. 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:18.220 His desire to dwell with his people doesn't change. 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:28.220 And so from there we can move forward a little bit further in the Old Testament to, to the chapter 12 of Genesis, where we see God coming to a man named Abram. 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:31.220 Now this was a low point of human existence. 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:33.220 Society was fractured. 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:36.220 There was no man who had knowledge of God or desire for him. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:39.220 But God chooses to come to Abraham. 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:44.220 And you may think of Abraham, if you've heard this story before, you think Abraham was a good guy, right? 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:46.220 God, he followed after God. 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:51.220 What we need to recognize here is there's nothing special about Abraham here. 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:58.220 He is a pagan, just like everyone around him in that day. 00:11:58.220 --> 00:12:02.220 But despite that, God comes to him. 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:05.220 And God promises to bless him. 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:10.220 He says, I will be your God and you will be my people. 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:15.220 And so he promises blessing that he would be a great nation. 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:17.220 That kings would come from him. 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:20.220 That through him all nations would be blessed. 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:27.220 And so it's really a reassertion of this original purpose of mankind that we saw in the garden. 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:35.220 That God would rule and that man would mediate, would extend God's blessing to the ends of the earth. 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:37.220 Well, this family of Abraham grew. 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:39.220 We fast forward to the book of Exodus. 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:42.220 We see that they've fallen into captivity. 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:44.220 They're slaves in Egypt. 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:47.220 But we see God's promise endures. 00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:50.220 He raises up this leader, Moses. 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:59.220 He leads the people of Israel out of Egypt through the Red Sea where Pharaoh and his pursuing army are swallowed up by the waters. 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:04.220 And so here, another image of recreation. 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:10.220 God's demonstrating his rule over the earth and he commissions Israel again in Exodus 19. 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:14.220 He tells them to be a kingdom of priests. 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:16.220 A holy nation. 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:24.220 So much like Adam and much like Abraham, he sets his people apart for the sake of the nations. 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:27.220 And so this is what we sing about in the Psalms. 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:30.220 We sing from Psalm 96, let the nations be glad. 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:32.220 We see it all throughout the Psalms. 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:44.220 Psalm 67, it says, may God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine on us so that your ways may be known on earth and your salvation among the nations. 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:51.220 It's a proclamation of God's blessing on his people Israel so that Israel may bless the nations. 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:55.220 But again, we see that Israel failed at this task. 00:13:55.220 --> 00:13:58.220 We know the story of their rebellion against God. 00:13:58.220 --> 00:14:00.220 They forgot his provision. 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:03.220 They turned to other gods. 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:06.220 But yet God's mission endured. 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:09.220 We fast forward to 2 Samuel 7. 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:16.220 There's this young man, David, who's anointed king of Israel to serve as a representative for his people. 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:24.220 And much like Adam and Abraham in Israel, he's commissioned to spread the will and the reign of God over all the nations. 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:26.220 And the reign of God over all the earth. 00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:32.220 It's this covenant blessing that was made with Adam and Israel now is given and continues through David. 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:35.220 Of course, we know how the story goes. 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:38.220 We could predict it at this point, even if you don't know the story. 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:40.220 David fails. 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:44.220 Following kings fail to fulfill this role. 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:50.220 Not only do they fail to spread God's blessing to the nations, they lead their own nation astray. 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:59.220 And so despite this consistent failure of God's people, God's mission is not thwarted and his promise is not broken. 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:04.220 Because we know that God eventually sends another king from the line of David. 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:10.220 Someone who'd not only lead the people of Israel, but also be a light to the nation. 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:15.220 So this is, of course, his own son, Jesus. 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:20.220 Is he alone who could perfectly fulfill the law? 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:24.220 Who could pay the penalty for our sins, for our rebellion on the cross? 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:27.220 Who could defeat the curse of death and rise from the dead? 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:33.220 And so we see it's this Jesus who is the second Adam. 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:36.220 Who is the seed of Abraham. 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:39.220 Who is the faithful and true Israel. 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:44.220 Who is the greater David who brings salvation to the nations. 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:53.220 And so it's this Messiah then that not only confirms God's reign, but also he fulfills this role that he had give to Israel. 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:57.220 He fulfills God's world mission. 00:15:57.220 --> 00:16:06.220 And so that's just the quick overview of what brings us to this point of Jesus' resurrection and this command that he gives his people. 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:16.220 And we recognize if we see that this is the focus, the focus of the Old Testament is continually on this people of God, the people of Abraham, the people of Israel. 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:21.220 But we need to recognize that God's mission throughout, it doesn't change. 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:24.220 It's always meant to be extended to the nations. 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.220 And so think about it this way. 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:28.220 Think about a photographer at a football match. 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:29.220 Right? 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:35.220 You know, if it's a professional match, you have these photographers that line the sidelines with these big zoom in cameras. 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:39.220 And they try to capture these close up shots of players in action. 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:45.220 And as they try to capture those shots, it's not as though they're disregarding what's going on on the pitch. 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:47.220 They're watching the whole game. 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:51.220 But what they're trying to do is capture this image within the context of the game. 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:55.220 Because if there wasn't a game going on, there'd be no sense for them to be there. 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:58.220 They wouldn't be taking photographs at all. 00:16:58.220 --> 00:17:00.220 And so similar is true here. 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:06.220 God is focusing on Israel, but it's not to the exclusion of the nations. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:11.220 He focuses on Israel precisely because He cares for the nations. 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:15.220 He blesses Israel so that the nations may be blessed. 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:23.220 And so when we turn back to this Great Commission in Matthew, it's as if God is taking that camera and He's zooming out. 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:31.220 So He's bringing into frame this whole plan, this whole mission that He's had from the very beginning of time. 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:36.220 And so that's how this Great Commission connects us to the past. 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:42.220 It shows us God's mission has not changed up to this point, and it doesn't change going forward. 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:45.220 So what does this mission then mean for us today? 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:48.220 Well, let's consider how it pushes us forward. 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:52.220 Thinking again of God's reign and our rule. 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:57.220 What we just looked at, God's reign never changes throughout this mission. 00:17:57.220 --> 00:18:00.220 He is the creator of heavens and earth. 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.220 He is the God of Abraham. 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:03.220 He is the deliverer of Israel. 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:06.220 He's the overseer of King David. 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:12.220 And so we see this emphasis then played out here in this Great Commission as well. 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:19.220 Because in verse 16 it mentions that disciples went to Galilee up to this mountain where Jesus had directed them. 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:33.220 Now, if we had had the time to kind of do a complete overview of the Gospel of Matthew, you may recognize that Matthew kind of pinpoints specific narratives or stories that occur on top of a mountain. 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:38.220 When Matthew directs our attention to a mountain top, something important is going on there. 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:41.220 We see it over and over again in this Gospel. 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:46.220 First, where Jesus is sent up to a mountain where he's tempted by Satan. 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:48.220 We see the Sermon on the Mount. 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:58.220 We see the Transfiguration where Jesus reveals his glory only temporarily to his disciples on top of a mountain. 00:18:58.220 --> 00:19:06.220 And so here, this final scene, of course, appropriately takes place on top of this mountain. 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:12.220 And we see that it's in contrast, it stands in contrast to that very first mountain scene where Jesus is tempted by Satan. 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:16.220 Where Satan comes and he's questioning Jesus' authority and his plan. 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:18.220 He's trying to interfere with this mission. 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:20.220 But now we see Matthew. 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:30.220 Matthew shows us this final scene where Jesus is revealed as the exalted ruler with comprehensive authority over heaven and earth. 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:34.220 And with a mission that has not been compromised. 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:38.220 And so notice the language again of this great commission. 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:40.220 How comprehensive it is. 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:42.220 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:45.220 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations. 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:49.220 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:53.220 He's including even here the full resources of the Trinity. 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.220 Pointing that out to us. 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:58.220 Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:03.220 And surely I am with you always to the very end of age. 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:11.220 And so what we need to remember about this great commission is that the authority of Jesus is foundational to this mandate. 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:15.220 And so then what does it mean for our role? 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:20.220 Well again, our role has not changed throughout God's mission. 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:21.220 Remember what we looked at already. 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:23.220 Man had this priestly role. 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:27.220 This was the responsibility that was given to Adam in the garden. 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:32.220 To extend God's blessing throughout all creation for his glory. 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:34.220 Adam failed. 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:35.220 Abraham failed. 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.220 Israel failed. 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:37.220 David failed. 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.220 David failed. 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:42.220 Which makes our passage all the more interesting. 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:44.220 Because we go to verse 17. 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:48.220 And we notice this, maybe a strange detail. 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:52.220 Because it says, when they saw him they worshipped him. 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:54.220 But some doubted. 00:20:54.220 --> 00:21:05.220 Now you think, if you were the writer of this gospel, you're telling of the greatness of Jesus who is just resurrected from the dead. 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:09.220 It seems like a fact you'd purposefully want to leave out here. 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:14.220 As if you'd want to talk about this crucified savior who's been resurrected, who conquered the grave. 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:16.220 And now everyone is amazed. 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:19.220 And everyone understands what Jesus came for. 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:22.220 And everyone has full faith and assurance in Jesus. 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:24.220 And that's not what it says. 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:28.220 He talks about the disciples' failure. 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:32.220 These men who have been with us for three years, they still doubted. 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:39.220 And so this is particularly concerning them, considering this commission that Jesus is about to give them. 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:43.220 He's speaking to this small handful of disciples. 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:46.220 And he's once again giving the same command. 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:48.220 To rule and subdue. 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:50.220 How do they do that? 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:52.220 They're supposed to do that by making disciples of the nations. 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:55.220 To extend God's blessing to the ends of the earth. 00:21:55.220 --> 00:22:00.220 These few little men, after their track record, this is the mission that God gives them? 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:07.220 You might think that Jesus would be in his full right to change course. 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:11.220 To say, look, the reason I came is because of your failure. 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:16.220 And now, even though you see me in resurrected form, you're still doubt. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:19.220 I'm done using you. 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:22.220 I will accomplish my mission on my own. 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:25.220 But of course, he doesn't say that. 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:27.220 I have four kids. 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:30.220 As many of you know, two of them are boys. 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:33.220 And they love to help me fix things. 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:39.220 And so whenever I get my toolbox out, and I'm not a particularly handy guy myself, but I try my best. 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:42.220 So when I get my toolbox out, it's like moths that are going to light. 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:44.220 They immediately see and come over. 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:45.220 What are you fixing? 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.220 How can I help you? 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:54.220 And depending on what I'm doing, I want to include them in this, whether that's just to use a hammer or a screwdriver or whatever it may be. 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:58.220 Because when we complete that task, they get the satisfaction of thinking that they have helped me. 00:22:58.220 --> 00:23:01.220 That they have led to the completion of this project. 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:11.220 But the reality is, if it wasn't for my presence, if it wasn't for my knowledge, if it wasn't for my supervision and instruction, whatever we're trying to fix wouldn't have happened. 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:14.220 And so the same is true here. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:17.220 Jesus commissions us to spread the gospel. 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:22.220 But we're not the ones who are sent out on our own to accomplish this task. 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:26.220 It's done through the power of the Spirit. 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:31.220 And so if you've been with us during our evening series, we've been looking at our identity. 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:34.220 Last week, we looked at our identity in Christ. 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:38.220 Paul says this over and over again in his letters in the New Testament. 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:40.220 That we are in Christ. 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:44.220 And so that idea is essential to this commission here. 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:46.220 That we are in Christ. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:49.220 That's what makes this commission possible. 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:53.220 Because if we were sent out on our own, again, the record would be the same. 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:54.220 We would fail. 00:23:54.220 --> 00:24:06.220 But here we are commissioned, having been chosen by the Father, having been redeemed by the Son, now indwelled and empowered by the Spirit to go. 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:13.220 So God's plan will succeed because it is Christ's Spirit who is doing the work. 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:20.220 It is his ever-present Holy Spirit who he says here will always be with us to the end of the age. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:23.220 It is his Spirit who emboldens us to go. 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:28.220 And it's also his Spirit who enables those who hear. 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:30.220 Who softens the heart. 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:34.220 Who is able to apply the gospel of grace to these recipients. 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:36.220 And so we can take heart then. 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:42.220 Because I think the Great Commission can be something that can scare us to death sometimes. 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:45.220 To think that we are too ill-equipped. 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:49.220 That we have too great a fear of man. 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:54.220 That we just don't know what to do. 00:24:54.220 --> 00:25:04.220 But we see here that it is the work of Jesus living in us who empowers us to accomplish his mission. 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:09.220 And so as we are empowered by Christ, letting that be our foundation, what exactly are we called to do? 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:11.220 And just to look at this briefly. 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:14.220 It's a very simple task. 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:19.220 He doesn't go on for a chapter here and say every little thing that we must do to complete his mission. 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:23.220 He says make disciples by baptizing and teaching. 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:28.220 And so you may think well that sounds like I'm maybe off the hook. 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:32.220 Because I'm not a minister so I don't baptize people and I don't preach. 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:36.220 But when we think about baptism here. 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:38.220 It's a symbolism. 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:40.220 A symbol of repentance. 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:42.220 It's this act of repenting. 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:44.220 Turning from sin. 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.220 Dying to self. 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:48.220 This is why Paul says in Romans 8. 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:54.220 We are buried with Christ in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life. 00:25:54.220 --> 00:26:00.220 In baptism also we see this unity that we have with the Trinity. 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:02.220 This is what Jesus mentioned here. 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:04.220 We walk in unity with the three persons of God. 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:06.220 The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:08.220 This is our new identity. 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:11.220 So we should strive as we are about this mandate. 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:16.220 To see this change and transformation occur in the lives of those around us. 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:21.220 And then not only that but it's supposed to affect how we live. 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.220 That second part. 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:24.220 Teaching them to observe all I have commanded. 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:27.220 It doesn't mean teach people to be good. 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:29.220 So that God will have favor on them. 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:34.220 But it's pointing out the fact that if God, if our identity is now in Christ. 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:37.220 If we are living in unity with the Godhead. 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:39.220 Then that's going to affect how we live. 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:44.220 There's this natural desire to be more and more like Jesus. 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:46.220 Out of a heart of gratitude. 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:49.220 We want to be obedient as we follow him. 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:54.220 And so again, this is what we want to see in the lives of those around us. 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:59.220 As we extend the gospel, this should be the effect that we see on the unbelieving world. 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:03.220 That they may be baptized and learn to follow after Jesus. 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:09.220 And so we recognize then that when, if we're called to this task. 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:12.220 It's not going to be easy. 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:14.220 It's going to take time. 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:16.220 And it's going to take effort. 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:18.220 It takes relationship building. 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:21.220 It takes sacrifice. 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:24.220 It takes prayer and vulnerability. 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:28.220 But the thing is, think about our setting here. 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:36.220 We live in the capital city of Scotland where the nations have come to us. 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:39.220 The nations are quite literally at our footsteps. 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:41.220 And what are we doing about it? 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.220 We just jump in. 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:43.220 One of the upp που is calling it, right? 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:44.220 We have more and more, really, more llegar. 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:46.220 One of theungsans. 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.220 And if not, we have more города. 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.220 We're going to serve a mixture of phobs creative, anything. 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:50.220 You're going to craft. 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:51.220 You have to talk about, we're not here's why, but exposing訂閱. 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.220 And if we can go into thiswnie blood flow. 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:53.220 We want to organize the newspaper. 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:54.220 But, we have aard to do it eens, and we want to post it eventually. 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.220 We want to reference that we can ask you what everybody shall say. 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.220 We have any questions for writers, dear. 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:58.220 You just rock out andر so are notras�three and funny is, great. 00:27:58.220 --> 00:28:00.220 You know nothing more about when we get out on our body. 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:03.380 at a very volatile time in the Chinese history, 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:07.160 and he just became completely overwhelmed by the burden of mission. 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:13.000 There was such great need, and there were so few workers for the harvest. 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:17.980 And so he wrote this brief appeal, this brief note that was called 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:21.140 The Appeal from China that was published in something called 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:22.079 The Missionary Herald. 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:25.420 And I want to read just a portion of what he wrote. 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:30.740 Of course, I put my bookmark on the wrong page. 00:28:35.060 --> 00:28:38.700 In this appeal that's to be read by those back in the UK, 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:42.940 he's saying that God has abundantly answered prayers 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:45.539 by opening tens of thousands of doors. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:49.480 And so now what should people pray at missionary prayer meetings? 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:52.039 What are you going to pray for next? 00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:53.779 He says, 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:58.899 Has God been thankful for pouring down his blessing that actually there is no room for it? 00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:01.259 Where are the men and women? 00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:03.859 Where are the gold and silver? 00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:05.259 What are we living for? 00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:10.059 The dear brethren at home would perhaps get a new and unexpected blessing 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:15.839 if they should each, in their private closet, pray again and again this simple prayer. 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:24.279 O Holy Father in heaven, forever blessed be thy gracious name for so abundantly opening the heathen lands. 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:28.079 And now again for the sake of the all-merciful Savior, 00:29:28.659 --> 00:29:35.439 grant thy most Holy Spirit to teach me what I must do for those who worship wood and stone. 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:39.019 Yea, what must even I do? 00:29:41.419 --> 00:29:43.919 And so that appeal is the same for us today. 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:46.940 Have we ever asked that question before? 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:48.680 What must I do? 00:29:48.840 --> 00:29:51.080 What has God called me to? 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:55.340 Because if we're really committed to this, 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:58.720 if we really take this commission seriously, 00:29:58.860 --> 00:30:01.100 if we really understand God's mission, 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:02.980 this is something we're going to want to be a part of. 00:30:03.820 --> 00:30:05.820 To see the advancement of the gospel. 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:10.080 To be willing to give up our time and our money and our effort to see this happen. 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:14.859 And so are we willing to pray earnestly? 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:18.240 Are we willing to give sacrificially? 00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:20.159 Are we willing to serve locally? 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:26.559 And yes, some of us maybe even go globally to see this mission come to pass. 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:32.679 But the reality is that we have to remember here is that our goal in mission 00:30:32.679 --> 00:30:35.199 is not simply a concern for the lost. 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:42.360 Our goal in mission is founded on a passion for the glory of God. 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:48.360 Because although Christ ascended, he promises to come again. 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:53.039 And he says when he comes again, there will be final judgment for evil and for sin. 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:57.539 But for his people, he will create a new heaven and a new earth. 00:30:57.899 --> 00:31:03.059 He will establish his eternal kingdom where he will live in perfect unity with his people forever 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:06.259 and forever receive the glory he is due. 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:10.960 And so this is what John writes about in the end of the Bible. 00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:13.500 In the book of Revelation chapter 7. 00:31:14.659 --> 00:31:15.019 He says, 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:42.599 This is the goal of mission. 00:31:42.599 --> 00:32:12.579 This is the goal of mission. 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:18.199 God's continuing plan of salvation that has never changed from the beginning of time until now. 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:24.220 Yet he calls us in and equips us with his spirit to be about his mission with him. 00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:28.619 And so may we be willing to answer this call. 00:32:29.639 --> 00:32:32.299 And this call is different for every single one of us. 00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:35.159 But it is a call nonetheless. 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:40.500 So the question is, how can you serve? 00:32:41.300 --> 00:32:43.040 What are you called to? 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:48.440 How may we as a church see the kingdom expand here in Edinburgh? 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:52.500 That God may receive the glory he is due. 00:32:54.120 --> 00:32:55.080 Let's pray together. 00:32:55.079 --> 00:33:03.480 God, you are worthy of all praise and all honor and all glory. 00:33:05.179 --> 00:33:09.599 And so we recognize that your mission has never changed from the beginning of time. 00:33:09.699 --> 00:33:12.839 Your mission has been to gather your people together. 00:33:12.839 --> 00:33:17.379 To live in union with us. 00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:20.959 And so may that be our desire. 00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:24.159 May that be our focus. 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:32.039 God, if there's some here that don't know you, we ask that you may soften hearts to the reality of the gospel. 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:38.200 That they may recognize the invitation that you give to be a part of this kingdom. 00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:44.559 And God, I ask that you motivate us all to be about your mission. 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:48.240 Not of our own efforts or our own strength or our own cleverness. 00:33:48.659 --> 00:33:53.259 But through the power of your spirit that we may see the nations come to worship you. 00:33:55.159 --> 00:33:56.639 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:57.779 Amen. 00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:57.899 Amen. 00:33:57.900 --> 00:34:04.880 Will you stand with me for the singing of our last hymn, By Faith? 00:34:04.880 --> 00:34:05.280 Amen. 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:22.260 By faith we see the hand of God. 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:27.880 In the light of creation's grand desire. 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:36.579 In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness. 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:42.099 Who walk by faith and not by sight. 00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:52.180 By faith our fathers roamed the earth. 00:34:52.179 --> 00:34:59.399 With the power of His promise in their hearts. 00:34:59.399 --> 00:35:06.299 Of a holy city built by God's own hand. 00:35:06.299 --> 00:35:12.239 A place where peace and justice reign. 00:35:12.239 --> 00:35:18.059 We will stand as children of the promise. 00:35:19.199 --> 00:35:23.459 We will fix our eyes on Him. 00:35:23.459 --> 00:35:25.899 Our souls reward. 00:35:26.299 --> 00:35:33.559 Till the race is finished and the work is done. 00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:57.860 After an adventures