WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.000 Amen. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.000 New friends as well. I look forward to 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:34.480 spending some time with you throughout the day. 00:00:38.159 --> 00:00:39.539 I wonder, do you ever 00:00:39.539 --> 00:00:41.539 wonder what the 00:00:41.539 --> 00:00:43.920 purpose of the church is? 00:00:45.140 --> 00:00:45.880 Do you ever 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:48.060 ask yourself, what is the point 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:50.140 of the church? 00:00:50.740 --> 00:00:52.079 If you were to walk outside 00:00:52.079 --> 00:00:54.060 after our service this morning 00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:55.659 and someone were to 00:00:55.659 --> 00:00:57.460 stop you and say, well, 00:00:57.840 --> 00:00:59.980 what have you just been doing? Why the church? 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:00.859 What is its purpose? 00:01:01.700 --> 00:01:03.899 What is its point? What would you say to them? 00:01:04.620 --> 00:01:05.900 What would be your answer? 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:08.060 Maybe some of you are actually 00:01:08.060 --> 00:01:09.840 asking that very question this morning. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:12.079 You perhaps have been a Christian for a number of years. 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:14.140 Or maybe you are just a relatively new 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:16.060 Christian. Or maybe you're not even a Christian 00:01:16.060 --> 00:01:18.280 at all. And you're just investigating 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:19.960 Christianity and 00:01:19.960 --> 00:01:21.819 Christ and the church. And 00:01:21.819 --> 00:01:23.960 you're wondering, what is the church? 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:26.060 Why the church? What is its point? 00:01:26.180 --> 00:01:27.879 What is its purpose? Why 00:01:27.879 --> 00:01:29.979 do we do what we do 00:01:29.979 --> 00:01:31.420 Sunday by Sunday? 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:33.920 It's a good question 00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:35.899 to ask, but many Christians are 00:01:35.899 --> 00:01:37.879 confused, I would say, about 00:01:37.879 --> 00:01:39.840 the answer to that question. 00:01:40.539 --> 00:01:41.340 It's vital 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:43.500 to know why we exist. 00:01:43.719 --> 00:01:44.759 It's vital to know 00:01:44.759 --> 00:01:46.379 what the purpose, 00:01:46.699 --> 00:01:47.899 the unique purpose 00:01:47.899 --> 00:01:49.899 of the church is. 00:01:49.900 --> 00:01:51.020 And so when I found out 00:01:51.020 --> 00:01:52.080 this morning that I was going 00:01:52.080 --> 00:01:54.040 to be preaching at the service 00:01:54.040 --> 00:01:55.280 where you would be commissioning 00:01:55.280 --> 00:01:56.760 the new church plant 00:01:56.760 --> 00:01:57.560 in Brentford, 00:01:58.260 --> 00:01:59.320 I thought it made sense 00:01:59.320 --> 00:02:00.640 to preach on the passage 00:02:00.640 --> 00:02:01.940 that we generally call 00:02:01.940 --> 00:02:03.520 the Great Commission 00:02:03.520 --> 00:02:06.120 at the end of Matthew's Gospel. 00:02:06.660 --> 00:02:07.660 Because here, 00:02:08.540 --> 00:02:10.000 here in this passage, 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:11.480 right at the end of Matthew's Gospel, 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:13.120 we have Jesus himself 00:02:13.120 --> 00:02:14.480 having ridden 00:02:14.480 --> 00:02:15.700 from the dead, 00:02:16.480 --> 00:02:18.580 setting out in capsule form, 00:02:18.580 --> 00:02:19.120 as it were, 00:02:19.380 --> 00:02:20.440 the main purpose, 00:02:20.540 --> 00:02:21.940 or one of the main purposes 00:02:21.940 --> 00:02:23.719 of the church. 00:02:24.140 --> 00:02:25.500 Here Jesus himself 00:02:25.500 --> 00:02:26.160 explains, 00:02:26.660 --> 00:02:28.120 in just a few short sentences, 00:02:28.700 --> 00:02:29.820 what the fundamental 00:02:29.820 --> 00:02:32.140 points and purpose 00:02:32.140 --> 00:02:32.900 and mission 00:02:32.900 --> 00:02:34.939 of the church is. 00:02:35.620 --> 00:02:36.560 Which is what? 00:02:37.720 --> 00:02:38.640 Well it's this. 00:02:39.200 --> 00:02:41.100 It's to get the Gospel out. 00:02:41.900 --> 00:02:43.300 It's to tell people 00:02:43.300 --> 00:02:45.480 about the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:46.720 about who he is, 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:48.859 and about all that he's done. 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:50.680 It's to spread the message 00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:51.879 of a crucified 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:53.020 and now risen 00:02:53.020 --> 00:02:54.020 Saviour. 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:54.979 That is what Jesus 00:02:54.979 --> 00:02:56.319 is basically saying here 00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:56.800 to these 00:02:56.800 --> 00:02:58.400 eleven disciples, 00:02:58.840 --> 00:02:59.939 and indeed through them 00:02:59.939 --> 00:03:01.300 to the whole church 00:03:01.300 --> 00:03:02.759 of Jesus Christ. 00:03:02.840 --> 00:03:03.960 He is saying to them, 00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:05.439 I have 00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:07.000 defeated death, 00:03:07.400 --> 00:03:08.419 I have dealt with 00:03:08.419 --> 00:03:09.000 your sin, 00:03:09.079 --> 00:03:10.039 I have crushed 00:03:10.039 --> 00:03:11.539 Satan underfoot, 00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:12.500 now go 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:13.979 and tell people 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:15.039 about me. 00:03:15.039 --> 00:03:16.579 that is what I'm calling 00:03:16.579 --> 00:03:17.239 you to do. 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:18.519 That is why we exist. 00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:20.099 That is the point 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:20.739 of the church, 00:03:20.840 --> 00:03:21.739 that will be the point 00:03:21.739 --> 00:03:22.900 of the new church 00:03:22.900 --> 00:03:24.180 plants in Brentford, 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:26.539 to make Jesus known. 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:28.060 After all, 00:03:28.139 --> 00:03:29.299 just ask yourself this, 00:03:29.780 --> 00:03:31.139 which other organisation 00:03:31.139 --> 00:03:33.180 is going to do that? 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:36.039 There is no other organisation, 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:37.280 there is no corporation, 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:38.840 there is no company, 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:40.219 there is no other charity, 00:03:40.219 --> 00:03:42.300 whose purpose it is 00:03:42.300 --> 00:03:43.659 to tell people 00:03:43.659 --> 00:03:44.319 the gospel, 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:45.500 to spread the message 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:46.919 of Jesus Christ. 00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:48.680 Only the church 00:03:48.680 --> 00:03:49.719 will do that, 00:03:49.800 --> 00:03:50.500 only the church 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:52.139 must do that. 00:03:52.460 --> 00:03:53.300 Our purpose 00:03:53.300 --> 00:03:54.400 is glorious. 00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:56.319 There is no greater 00:03:56.319 --> 00:03:57.500 mission statement 00:03:57.500 --> 00:03:58.960 than the one 00:03:58.960 --> 00:03:59.759 that the church has, 00:03:59.819 --> 00:04:00.360 which is, 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:01.579 in a nutshell, 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:03.219 to proclaim 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:04.919 the excellencies 00:04:04.919 --> 00:04:06.519 of Jesus Christ. 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:07.359 There is no more 00:04:07.359 --> 00:04:08.439 excellent person 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:09.679 than the Lord Jesus 00:04:09.679 --> 00:04:10.639 himself, 00:04:10.899 --> 00:04:12.099 and it is your privilege 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:13.339 as Christians 00:04:13.339 --> 00:04:14.779 to proclaim 00:04:14.779 --> 00:04:16.479 those excellencies, 00:04:17.099 --> 00:04:18.180 the all-sufficiency, 00:04:18.419 --> 00:04:18.860 the grace, 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:19.459 the glory 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:20.800 of Jesus Christ 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:22.060 to a needy 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:23.459 and a sinful world. 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:25.259 And we should note 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:25.740 as well 00:04:25.740 --> 00:04:26.860 that this 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:27.819 is an 00:04:27.819 --> 00:04:28.919 epoch-shifting 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:30.139 purpose. 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:31.060 What do I mean by that? 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:32.220 It means something 00:04:32.220 --> 00:04:34.120 that changes 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:34.920 the world 00:04:34.920 --> 00:04:35.699 forever. 00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:37.339 Something that is 00:04:37.339 --> 00:04:38.920 world-shattering, 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:39.639 something that is 00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:41.459 history-defining. 00:04:42.280 --> 00:04:43.100 That is why, 00:04:43.500 --> 00:04:44.420 if you notice, 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:46.300 in verse 16, 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:47.199 Jesus meets 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:48.360 these eleven disciples 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:50.000 on a mountain. 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:50.860 That location 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:52.079 is significant. 00:04:52.720 --> 00:04:53.540 It's not a mere 00:04:53.540 --> 00:04:55.579 geographical detail. 00:04:55.819 --> 00:04:56.300 We're not sure 00:04:56.300 --> 00:04:56.860 exactly 00:04:56.860 --> 00:04:58.420 which mountain 00:04:58.420 --> 00:04:59.120 it was, 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:00.279 but 00:05:00.279 --> 00:05:01.519 we do know 00:05:01.519 --> 00:05:02.039 that throughout 00:05:02.039 --> 00:05:02.699 the Bible, 00:05:03.679 --> 00:05:04.459 authoritative 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:05.079 teaching, 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:07.179 fresh revelation 00:05:07.179 --> 00:05:07.939 that drives 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:08.639 the purposes 00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:09.579 of God forward, 00:05:10.119 --> 00:05:10.639 they are often 00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:11.439 given on a mountain. 00:05:11.599 --> 00:05:12.259 You just have to 00:05:12.259 --> 00:05:12.599 think about 00:05:12.599 --> 00:05:13.459 the Ten Commandments 00:05:13.459 --> 00:05:14.039 that we read 00:05:14.039 --> 00:05:15.099 earlier on. 00:05:15.579 --> 00:05:16.339 Given to Moses 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:16.679 where? 00:05:17.099 --> 00:05:18.039 On a mountain, 00:05:18.139 --> 00:05:18.939 on Mount Sinai. 00:05:19.059 --> 00:05:19.919 Jesus himself. 00:05:20.719 --> 00:05:21.279 His famous 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:22.399 sermon on the 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:23.519 Mount. 00:05:24.239 --> 00:05:25.199 Fresh revelation, 00:05:25.459 --> 00:05:26.459 authoritative teaching, 00:05:26.779 --> 00:05:27.839 driving the purposes 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:28.879 of the Kingdom 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:29.419 of God 00:05:29.419 --> 00:05:30.259 forward. 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:31.539 and that is 00:05:31.539 --> 00:05:32.259 what we see 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:33.119 happening here 00:05:33.119 --> 00:05:33.619 as well 00:05:33.619 --> 00:05:34.359 with this 00:05:34.359 --> 00:05:35.139 great commission. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:35.879 This is a 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:37.000 history-defining, 00:05:37.139 --> 00:05:38.259 an epoch-shifting 00:05:38.259 --> 00:05:39.339 event that is 00:05:39.339 --> 00:05:40.159 going on here. 00:05:40.579 --> 00:05:41.159 Jesus here 00:05:41.159 --> 00:05:41.819 is presented 00:05:41.819 --> 00:05:42.619 by Matthew 00:05:42.619 --> 00:05:43.579 as the 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:44.739 victorious king 00:05:44.739 --> 00:05:46.259 who has conquered 00:05:46.259 --> 00:05:47.219 the greatest enemy, 00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:48.279 death and sin 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:48.859 and Satan. 00:05:49.359 --> 00:05:50.339 The victorious king 00:05:50.339 --> 00:05:51.500 who is sending out 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:52.819 his foot soldiers 00:05:52.819 --> 00:05:54.139 to lay claims 00:05:54.139 --> 00:05:54.879 of a territory 00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:56.259 that is rightfully 00:05:56.259 --> 00:05:56.799 his. 00:05:56.800 --> 00:05:58.160 Jesus here 00:05:58.160 --> 00:05:59.960 is, if you will, 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:02.020 our commander-in-chief 00:06:02.020 --> 00:06:03.460 and he is setting 00:06:03.460 --> 00:06:04.300 us out, 00:06:04.420 --> 00:06:04.920 he is sending 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:05.920 you out 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:07.100 on the most 00:06:07.100 --> 00:06:09.139 momentous mission 00:06:09.139 --> 00:06:10.460 imaginable. 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:11.800 And so that's what 00:06:11.800 --> 00:06:13.000 I want to focus on 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:14.319 in our time together 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:15.160 this morning, 00:06:15.280 --> 00:06:17.199 the mission of the church, 00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:17.920 the purpose 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:19.139 of the church, 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:19.980 what it is 00:06:19.980 --> 00:06:20.560 that Jesus 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:22.180 calls his disciples 00:06:22.180 --> 00:06:23.620 and through them 00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:24.920 as the foundation 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:25.900 of the church, 00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:27.780 through them 00:06:27.780 --> 00:06:28.819 he calls us 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:29.840 to do, 00:06:30.259 --> 00:06:31.040 to carry on 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:32.079 that same mission. 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:33.439 And I want to look 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:33.819 at it under 00:06:33.819 --> 00:06:35.699 three main headings, 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:36.759 the three-point sermon, 00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:37.780 traditional sermon 00:06:37.780 --> 00:06:38.340 formats, 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:39.500 that's what you get 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:40.300 with me I'm afraid. 00:06:40.460 --> 00:06:42.180 But three main points 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:43.100 that I want to consider 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:44.480 with you this morning. 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:45.180 The first one 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:45.920 is this, 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:46.920 that Jesus' 00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:49.060 power fuels 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:49.920 mission. 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:51.080 Jesus' power 00:06:51.080 --> 00:06:52.960 is what fuels 00:06:52.960 --> 00:06:53.500 mission. 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:54.220 He said that in 00:06:54.220 --> 00:06:55.699 verse 18. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:57.540 Just look down 00:06:57.540 --> 00:06:57.840 at that. 00:06:57.920 --> 00:06:58.740 And Jesus came 00:06:58.740 --> 00:06:59.500 and said to them 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:00.780 all authority 00:07:00.780 --> 00:07:01.900 in heaven 00:07:01.900 --> 00:07:03.140 and on earth 00:07:03.140 --> 00:07:04.740 has been given 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:05.819 to me. 00:07:06.160 --> 00:07:07.139 Jesus is saying 00:07:07.139 --> 00:07:09.759 I have a 00:07:09.759 --> 00:07:10.420 power 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:11.620 that is 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:12.720 unsurpassed, 00:07:12.780 --> 00:07:13.400 an authority 00:07:13.400 --> 00:07:14.100 that you cannot 00:07:14.100 --> 00:07:14.379 measure. 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:15.000 I have 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:16.340 defeated death, 00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:16.800 I have 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:18.080 crushed sin, 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:18.879 I have conquered 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:20.199 Satan. 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:21.519 All authority 00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:22.899 is now 00:07:22.899 --> 00:07:23.579 mine. 00:07:23.839 --> 00:07:24.579 All authority 00:07:24.579 --> 00:07:25.279 in heaven 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:26.939 and on earth. 00:07:27.899 --> 00:07:28.680 In other words, 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:29.779 everyone, 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:30.819 everywhere, 00:07:31.540 --> 00:07:32.560 there is no exception, 00:07:32.719 --> 00:07:33.180 everyone, 00:07:33.420 --> 00:07:33.980 everywhere, 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:35.019 is under 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:36.219 my authority 00:07:36.219 --> 00:07:37.159 as the one 00:07:37.159 --> 00:07:37.839 who is 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:38.579 Lord of all. 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:39.860 Angels and saints, 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:41.740 devils and demons, 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:42.920 men and women, 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:44.540 boys and girls, 00:07:44.719 --> 00:07:45.639 kings and queens, 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:46.420 prime ministers 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:47.660 and presidents, 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:49.060 animals and plants, 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:50.800 sun, moon and stars, 00:07:50.900 --> 00:07:51.720 you name it, 00:07:52.220 --> 00:07:52.939 it's his. 00:07:53.699 --> 00:07:54.759 Jesus is 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:56.500 the master 00:07:56.500 --> 00:07:58.280 of the universe. 00:07:58.860 --> 00:07:59.780 Jesus is 00:07:59.780 --> 00:08:00.980 the king 00:08:00.980 --> 00:08:01.879 of the cosmos. 00:08:02.580 --> 00:08:03.060 That is 00:08:03.060 --> 00:08:04.400 who Matthew 00:08:04.400 --> 00:08:05.319 is presenting 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:06.400 to us 00:08:06.400 --> 00:08:07.060 here. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:08.639 You remember 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:10.160 back in the 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:10.860 first chapter 00:08:10.860 --> 00:08:11.420 of Matthew, 00:08:12.520 --> 00:08:13.180 Jesus there 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:13.960 is presented 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:14.799 as the one 00:08:14.799 --> 00:08:15.359 who is 00:08:15.359 --> 00:08:16.339 the great 00:08:16.339 --> 00:08:16.959 son of 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:17.279 who? 00:08:17.779 --> 00:08:18.500 Of King 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:19.180 David. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:20.500 And then in 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:21.180 chapter 2, 00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:22.279 who is it 00:08:22.279 --> 00:08:23.899 that worships 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:24.479 Jesus? 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:25.339 It's the wise 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:25.759 men 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:27.019 coming from 00:08:27.019 --> 00:08:27.959 the nations 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:29.259 and they come 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:29.779 to worship 00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:30.199 the one 00:08:30.199 --> 00:08:31.159 born king 00:08:31.159 --> 00:08:32.679 of the Jews. 00:08:33.460 --> 00:08:33.899 And then at the 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:34.699 end of his life, 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:35.819 Jesus is crucified, 00:08:36.019 --> 00:08:36.699 albeit in a 00:08:36.699 --> 00:08:37.899 mocking fashion, 00:08:38.059 --> 00:08:38.679 he's crucified 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:39.939 as the king 00:08:39.939 --> 00:08:40.699 of the Jews. 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:42.379 And now 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:43.319 Matthew presents 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:44.500 Jesus as 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:45.100 the king 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:46.340 whose authority 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:47.140 transcends 00:08:47.140 --> 00:08:48.020 all national 00:08:48.020 --> 00:08:48.940 boundaries, 00:08:49.740 --> 00:08:50.320 whose authority 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:51.020 transcends 00:08:51.020 --> 00:08:52.780 all intergalactic 00:08:52.780 --> 00:08:53.680 boundaries, 00:08:54.560 --> 00:08:55.240 an authority 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:56.440 that is 00:08:56.440 --> 00:08:57.840 over everyone, 00:08:58.360 --> 00:08:58.980 everywhere. 00:09:00.680 --> 00:09:01.440 He is 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:02.520 the king 00:09:02.520 --> 00:09:03.960 of all. 00:09:05.460 --> 00:09:05.920 But maybe 00:09:05.920 --> 00:09:06.379 some of you 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:06.840 are asking 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:07.580 this question, 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:09.500 didn't Jesus 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:10.360 have all 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:10.880 authority 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:11.500 anyway? 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:13.759 After all, 00:09:13.820 --> 00:09:14.500 is he not 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:15.559 the son of 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:16.019 God? 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:17.419 And does 00:09:17.419 --> 00:09:18.039 not the son 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:18.659 of God 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:20.059 possess all 00:09:20.059 --> 00:09:20.580 authority? 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:23.059 And that is 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:23.419 true. 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:25.019 He does 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:26.059 possess all 00:09:26.059 --> 00:09:26.620 authority 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:27.539 eternally, 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:28.980 as the 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:29.860 son of 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:30.279 God. 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:31.439 And so 00:09:31.439 --> 00:09:32.340 here we find 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:33.360 Jesus speaking 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:34.379 of a new 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:35.559 kind of 00:09:35.559 --> 00:09:36.379 authority 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:37.379 authority 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:37.700 into which 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:38.379 he has 00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:39.000 entered. 00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:40.379 An authority 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:40.840 that he 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:42.159 now possesses 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:43.639 not, 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:44.360 as it were, 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:45.580 natively or 00:09:45.580 --> 00:09:46.360 essentially, 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:48.559 simply by who 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:49.539 he is as 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:50.220 the eternal 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:51.500 son of God. 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:51.779 No, 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:52.259 this is an 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:53.439 authority that 00:09:53.439 --> 00:09:53.759 he has 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:54.620 entered into 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:56.080 as a result 00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:56.700 of his 00:09:56.700 --> 00:09:57.820 death and 00:09:57.820 --> 00:09:58.460 resurrection. 00:09:59.340 --> 00:09:59.840 You might 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:00.440 call it 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:01.840 an exalted 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:03.240 messianic 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:03.960 authority, 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:05.019 an exalted 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:06.440 messianic 00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:07.379 authority. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:08.580 An authority 00:10:08.580 --> 00:10:09.280 that comes 00:10:09.280 --> 00:10:09.780 from, 00:10:10.300 --> 00:10:11.040 based upon, 00:10:11.160 --> 00:10:12.080 derivative of 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:13.460 all of his 00:10:13.460 --> 00:10:14.480 completed work 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:15.180 that he 00:10:15.180 --> 00:10:15.820 accomplished 00:10:15.820 --> 00:10:16.460 on earth. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:18.580 Maybe you 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:18.920 can think 00:10:18.920 --> 00:10:19.240 about it 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:19.660 this way. 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:20.879 One of the 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:22.019 most startling 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:23.900 stories over 00:10:23.900 --> 00:10:24.340 the past 00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:24.720 season, 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:25.259 particularly for 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:25.940 football fans, 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:27.100 is the success 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:27.820 of Leicester 00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:28.180 City. 00:10:28.300 --> 00:10:28.720 I cannot 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:29.840 believe that 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:30.080 they are 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:30.820 about to win 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:31.320 the Premier 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:31.620 League. 00:10:31.720 --> 00:10:31.840 It's 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:32.360 astonishing, 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:32.879 isn't it? 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:33.519 Now, 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:33.939 at the start 00:10:33.939 --> 00:10:34.480 of the season, 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:35.679 Claudio Ranieri 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:36.600 possessed 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:37.860 authority as 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:38.419 the manager 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:39.600 of Leicester 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:39.960 City. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:40.559 He had 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:41.960 that authority 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:42.500 was native 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:43.480 to him as 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:44.600 the manager. 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:46.080 But think 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:46.539 about the 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:47.340 authority that 00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:47.879 he now 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:48.840 possesses, 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:49.879 having just 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:50.580 won or about 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:51.480 to win the 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:52.360 Premier League. 00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:53.059 He has, 00:10:53.139 --> 00:10:53.500 as it were, 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:54.360 entered into 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:55.379 a new kind 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:56.840 of authority 00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:58.379 based upon 00:10:58.379 --> 00:10:59.840 the success 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:01.559 of this 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:02.120 past season. 00:11:02.200 --> 00:11:02.419 Think of 00:11:02.419 --> 00:11:02.620 all the 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:03.240 players that 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:03.539 are now 00:11:03.539 --> 00:11:03.939 going to 00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:04.439 want to 00:11:04.439 --> 00:11:05.120 come and 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:05.639 play under 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:05.919 him. 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:06.599 Think about 00:11:06.599 --> 00:11:06.879 all the 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:07.379 other bigger 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:07.959 clubs that 00:11:07.959 --> 00:11:08.240 might be 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:09.419 interested in 00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:10.120 hiring him. 00:11:10.339 --> 00:11:10.939 He's entered 00:11:10.939 --> 00:11:11.419 into, 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:11.919 as it were, 00:11:11.979 --> 00:11:12.519 a new 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:13.360 kind of 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:14.399 authority on 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:14.979 the basis 00:11:14.979 --> 00:11:16.459 of all of 00:11:16.459 --> 00:11:17.039 the glorious 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:17.719 work that 00:11:17.719 --> 00:11:18.139 he and his 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:18.539 team have 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:19.559 done over 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:20.120 the past 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:20.799 season. 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:21.219 That is 00:11:21.219 --> 00:11:22.179 something like 00:11:22.179 --> 00:11:23.079 what Jesus 00:11:23.079 --> 00:11:23.919 is speaking 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:24.419 of here. 00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:24.939 Almost 00:11:24.939 --> 00:11:25.559 against all 00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:26.179 the odds, 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:27.039 Leicester 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:28.679 have triumphed. 00:11:28.679 --> 00:11:29.259 In a similar 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:29.539 way, 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:29.879 Jesus, 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:30.459 against all 00:11:30.459 --> 00:11:30.959 the odds, 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:31.799 hanging on a 00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:32.319 cross, 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:33.899 doesn't look 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:34.379 much like 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:34.899 the triumphant 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:35.339 king. 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:36.120 But against 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:36.719 all the odds, 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:38.039 he has won 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:39.099 the ultimate 00:11:39.099 --> 00:11:39.939 victory over 00:11:39.939 --> 00:11:40.579 death and 00:11:40.579 --> 00:11:41.000 sin and 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:41.299 Satan. 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:41.879 And now he 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:42.319 has entered 00:11:42.319 --> 00:11:43.279 into his 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:44.019 messianic 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:44.459 authority, 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:45.359 something that 00:11:45.359 --> 00:11:45.839 he did not 00:11:45.839 --> 00:11:47.259 possess before. 00:11:48.199 --> 00:11:48.740 And this is 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:49.319 why you should 00:11:49.319 --> 00:11:49.659 note, 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:51.099 Jesus speaks of 00:11:51.099 --> 00:11:51.699 this authority 00:11:51.699 --> 00:11:52.579 as having been 00:11:52.579 --> 00:11:53.379 given to him. 00:11:54.079 --> 00:11:55.039 All authority 00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:55.899 in heaven and 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:56.500 on earth has 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:57.199 been given 00:11:57.199 --> 00:11:58.500 to me. 00:11:58.620 --> 00:11:59.059 Given by 00:11:59.059 --> 00:11:59.379 who? 00:12:00.459 --> 00:12:01.339 Given by 00:12:01.339 --> 00:12:02.099 his father, 00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:03.539 his heavenly 00:12:03.539 --> 00:12:03.919 father. 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:04.319 Why? 00:12:05.699 --> 00:12:05.939 Well, 00:12:05.979 --> 00:12:06.899 as the reward 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.139 for perfectly 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.119 fulfilling the 00:12:09.119 --> 00:12:10.239 rescue mission 00:12:10.239 --> 00:12:11.539 that the 00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:12.739 father sent 00:12:12.739 --> 00:12:13.219 the Lord 00:12:13.219 --> 00:12:14.379 Jesus upon. 00:12:15.739 --> 00:12:16.459 For perfectly 00:12:16.459 --> 00:12:18.659 carrying out 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:19.479 and 00:12:19.479 --> 00:12:21.339 accomplishing 00:12:21.339 --> 00:12:22.099 and fulfilling 00:12:22.099 --> 00:12:23.099 his own 00:12:23.099 --> 00:12:23.599 commission. 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:25.119 His own 00:12:25.119 --> 00:12:26.059 commission to 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:27.619 be born 00:12:27.619 --> 00:12:27.899 of the 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:28.239 virgin. 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:29.339 His own 00:12:29.339 --> 00:12:29.939 commission to 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:31.059 live the 00:12:31.059 --> 00:12:31.959 perfect life 00:12:31.959 --> 00:12:32.500 for all of 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:32.939 his people. 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:33.339 His own 00:12:33.339 --> 00:12:34.239 commission to 00:12:34.239 --> 00:12:35.859 die a sin 00:12:35.859 --> 00:12:37.399 bearing death 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:38.379 as his people 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:39.219 substitute on 00:12:39.219 --> 00:12:39.699 the cross. 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:40.479 Bearing their 00:12:40.479 --> 00:12:41.759 punishment in 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:42.199 their place. 00:12:42.279 --> 00:12:42.579 His own 00:12:42.579 --> 00:12:43.099 commission to 00:12:43.099 --> 00:12:43.899 rise again 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:44.959 from the 00:12:44.959 --> 00:12:45.539 grave, 00:12:45.859 --> 00:12:46.539 triumphant. 00:12:47.959 --> 00:12:48.539 He's now 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:49.759 fulfilled his 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:50.819 commission to 00:12:50.819 --> 00:12:51.559 save sinners. 00:12:52.219 --> 00:12:52.639 And notice 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:53.079 what that 00:12:53.079 --> 00:12:53.619 means. 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:55.539 Notice what 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:55.959 that means. 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:56.559 It means that 00:12:56.559 --> 00:12:57.279 our commission 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:59.159 as a church, 00:13:00.099 --> 00:13:00.759 the commission 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:02.379 of Emmanuel 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.000 Church in 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:03.459 Brentford, 00:13:03.819 --> 00:13:05.559 is rooted in 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:06.299 the commission 00:13:06.299 --> 00:13:06.839 that Jesus 00:13:06.839 --> 00:13:09.000 himself undertook. 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:10.980 Our commission 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:12.379 flows out of 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.860 his commission 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:15.179 and the 00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:16.919 success of 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:17.799 our commission 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:20.740 is guaranteed 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:22.219 by the 00:13:22.219 --> 00:13:23.559 success of 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:24.879 his commission. 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.000 You see, 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:26.719 the great 00:13:26.719 --> 00:13:27.259 commission, 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:28.659 as we 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.279 call it, 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.620 has as 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:30.959 its 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:32.559 propulsive 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:34.599 force an 00:13:34.599 --> 00:13:36.000 even greater 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:36.899 commission 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:38.939 that drives 00:13:38.939 --> 00:13:39.539 it forward. 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.699 Our commission 00:13:40.699 --> 00:13:41.419 is driven 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:42.179 forward 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.059 ineluctably, 00:13:43.839 --> 00:13:44.679 powerfully, 00:13:45.219 --> 00:13:46.039 by the commission 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:47.120 that Jesus 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:48.879 himself undertook 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:50.360 and fulfilled. 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:51.959 And isn't that 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:53.340 such a relief 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.800 for us? 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.060 Isn't that 00:13:56.060 --> 00:13:57.220 such a relief 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.200 for us? 00:13:58.620 --> 00:13:59.440 As we go 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.280 out into 00:14:00.280 --> 00:14:00.960 the world, 00:14:02.160 --> 00:14:03.060 seeking to 00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:04.000 fulfill this 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:04.820 great commission, 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:05.620 as churches 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:06.639 are planted, 00:14:07.920 --> 00:14:08.540 as people 00:14:08.540 --> 00:14:09.080 are sent 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:10.440 abroad or 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:10.820 sent to 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:11.560 other places 00:14:11.560 --> 00:14:12.220 in this 00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:12.720 country, 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:14.540 isn't it 00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:15.680 wonderful that 00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:16.379 we don't go 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:16.980 on our own 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.519 authority? 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:17.639 authority. 00:14:18.579 --> 00:14:19.139 We go 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:19.379 on the 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:20.159 authority of 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:21.079 King Jesus, 00:14:21.419 --> 00:14:21.779 who has 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:23.039 all authority. 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.539 We are 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.079 weak, 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:27.379 we are 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:27.860 frail, 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:28.220 we are 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:28.679 sinful, 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:31.099 but we 00:14:31.099 --> 00:14:32.120 have an 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.120 all-conquering 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.779 power at 00:14:34.779 --> 00:14:35.699 our disposal. 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.459 That's what 00:14:37.459 --> 00:14:38.719 you as a 00:14:38.719 --> 00:14:39.359 church need 00:14:39.359 --> 00:14:40.219 to remember, 00:14:40.359 --> 00:14:40.879 that's what 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:41.699 Emmanuel 00:14:41.699 --> 00:14:42.120 Church 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:42.779 Brentford 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.399 needs to 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:43.579 remember. 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:44.019 I look at 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.739 Stuart and 00:14:44.739 --> 00:14:46.199 he is 00:14:46.199 --> 00:14:46.599 someone that 00:14:46.599 --> 00:14:47.459 knows weakness 00:14:47.459 --> 00:14:49.399 and frailty, 00:14:50.059 --> 00:14:50.679 but at his 00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:51.439 disposal, at 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:52.019 the church's 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:52.799 disposal, is 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.079 an all-conquering 00:14:54.079 --> 00:14:55.719 power that 00:14:55.719 --> 00:14:56.059 will never 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:56.740 fail them. 00:14:57.779 --> 00:14:58.159 And he 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.179 uses, as 00:14:59.179 --> 00:14:59.439 well, 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:00.299 doubting 00:15:00.299 --> 00:15:01.159 worshippers. 00:15:01.839 --> 00:15:02.139 We should 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.679 note that. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.860 It says there 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.659 in verse 17, 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:05.159 when the 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:05.939 disciples saw 00:15:05.939 --> 00:15:06.219 him, they 00:15:06.219 --> 00:15:06.860 worshipped him, 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:07.919 but some 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:08.639 doubted. 00:15:09.959 --> 00:15:10.439 I actually 00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:10.740 think there's 00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:11.039 some people 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:11.399 that think 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:11.639 that there 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:11.919 are two 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:12.219 different 00:15:12.219 --> 00:15:12.539 groups, 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:12.740 there's 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.079 some that 00:15:13.079 --> 00:15:13.740 are worshipping, 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:14.199 others that 00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:14.719 are doubting. 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:15.659 I tend to 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.019 think that 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:16.379 those who 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:17.100 worship also 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:18.159 those who 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:18.959 simultaneously 00:15:18.959 --> 00:15:19.500 doubt. 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:21.100 Isn't that so 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:21.860 often what our 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:22.939 experience is like? 00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:23.600 We can be 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.019 full of 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.740 worshipful joy 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.339 and confidence 00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:26.899 and yet at the 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.740 same time, 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.340 that is 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:29.060 punctuated, 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:30.500 that is 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:32.240 tarnished 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:32.899 somewhat by 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.419 doubt. 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:34.340 Doubt about 00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:34.799 who Jesus 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:35.200 is, does 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:35.500 he really 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:35.879 love me, 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:36.419 can I do 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:37.120 this, he's 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:37.620 called me to 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:37.860 do. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.860 He uses 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:39.500 doubting 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.120 worshippers. 00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:41.299 He doesn't 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.139 use strong 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:42.700 people. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:44.519 He doesn't 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.080 use strong 00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:45.480 people. 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:45.919 All the 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:46.460 power is 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:46.779 his. 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:47.440 He uses 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:47.960 people like 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:49.200 you, people 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:50.259 like me, who 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:50.980 are weak, who 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.500 doubt, who 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.060 are frail. 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:54.039 But we have 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:55.019 an all-conquering 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:56.519 power at our 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:56.980 disposal. 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.940 Secondly, Jesus' 00:15:58.940 --> 00:16:01.060 program directs 00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:01.259 mission. 00:16:01.340 --> 00:16:01.600 We've seen 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:01.919 that Jesus' 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:04.100 power fulfills, 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:06.399 excuse me, fuels 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:06.820 mission. 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.139 And now we see 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:08.500 that Jesus' 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.980 program directs 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.259 mission. 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:10.799 Just look at 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:12.340 verse 19 through 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.019 to the start of 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.700 verse 20. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:14.759 Jesus says, 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.700 go therefore and 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:16.700 make disciples of 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:18.639 all nations, baptizing 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:19.319 them in the name 00:16:19.319 --> 00:16:20.100 of the Father and 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.240 of the Son and 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:21.679 of the Holy 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.460 Spirit, teaching 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.279 them to observe 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.960 all that I have 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:26.139 commanded you. 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:26.860 Here we have 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.860 Jesus, the 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:29.039 victorious king, 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:29.879 laying out this 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.939 program for his 00:16:31.939 --> 00:16:32.740 church, for his 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:34.319 people to follow. 00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:36.039 And you can see 00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:36.879 what the key 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:38.139 goal of this 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:39.059 program is. 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:40.659 It's to make 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:41.960 disciples. 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.540 That is where 00:16:42.540 --> 00:16:43.259 the emphasis 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:45.280 lies in this 00:16:45.280 --> 00:16:45.700 verse. 00:16:46.280 --> 00:16:47.740 The emphasis is 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:48.700 on the making 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:50.139 of disciples, 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:50.879 the making of 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.540 disciples from 00:16:51.540 --> 00:16:52.960 all nations. 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:54.280 Jesus is saying 00:16:54.280 --> 00:16:54.960 here, because I 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:55.980 am Lord of all, 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:57.820 because all 00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.680 authority in 00:16:58.680 --> 00:16:59.680 heaven and on 00:16:59.680 --> 00:17:00.220 earth has been 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:02.019 given to me, I 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.980 want people from 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.059 all nations to 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.759 follow me, to be 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.180 my disciples. 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:08.460 disciples. 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.340 Which raises 00:17:10.340 --> 00:17:10.840 the question, 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.380 how is this 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:11.720 done? 00:17:12.820 --> 00:17:13.740 How does the 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.740 church go about 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.759 seeking to make 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.340 disciples? 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.320 And thankfully 00:17:18.320 --> 00:17:19.820 for us, Jesus 00:17:19.820 --> 00:17:21.140 tells us in three 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:23.080 broad ways how 00:17:23.080 --> 00:17:24.460 the church is to 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.420 go about making 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:25.820 disciples. 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.420 We don't need to 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:27.140 invent our own 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:27.660 programs. 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:28.900 We have the 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:29.759 program of Christ 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:31.700 himself to direct 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:33.539 our purpose as a 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:33.980 church. 00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:35.180 First of all, we 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:36.019 make disciples by 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.579 going. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.799 Go therefore and 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:41.400 make disciples of 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:41.940 all nations. 00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:42.639 It's an obvious 00:17:42.639 --> 00:17:43.579 point I know, but 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.000 it's worth stressing. 00:17:46.139 --> 00:17:48.139 We need to go 00:17:48.139 --> 00:17:50.859 into all nations in 00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.359 order to make 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:52.200 disciples, because 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:53.279 that's where potential 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.819 disciples live. 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.440 You won't make 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:57.740 disciples by staying 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.119 put. 00:17:59.220 --> 00:17:59.660 And what's 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:01.279 interesting here is 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.680 that this signals 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:05.400 a vital 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:08.000 watershed, a 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.340 dramatic shift in 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:10.600 the plans of God. 00:18:11.300 --> 00:18:12.840 Earlier on in 00:18:12.840 --> 00:18:13.800 Matthew's Gospel in 00:18:13.800 --> 00:18:14.720 chapter 10, Jesus 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.420 had sent his 00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:16.780 apostles out to 00:18:16.780 --> 00:18:17.400 the house of 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:17.840 Israel. 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:18.660 And he had 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:19.580 specifically said 00:18:19.580 --> 00:18:20.200 to them, do not 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:21.519 go to the Gentiles. 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:23.740 Do not go to the 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:24.560 Samaritans. 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.800 Go to the house of 00:18:26.800 --> 00:18:27.140 Israel. 00:18:27.300 --> 00:18:29.000 But now, now he 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:31.040 says, go out to 00:18:31.040 --> 00:18:31.840 all nations. 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:34.259 Go to the whole 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:35.960 world, because of 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:37.500 my cosmic authority 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:39.140 that I have now 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:41.000 inaugurated as the 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.680 risen king. 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:43.559 And again, this is 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.700 rooted in Jesus' 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:46.319 own going. 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:49.119 Can you imagine 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:50.460 Jesus, the son of 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.379 God, in eternity 00:18:51.379 --> 00:18:52.140 saying to the 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:52.859 father, well, yeah, 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:54.960 I like the plan to 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:55.920 save sinners, but I 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.640 really don't fancy 00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:57.039 going. 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:59.000 Of course not. 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.119 He delighted him 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:02.959 to be sent by his 00:19:02.959 --> 00:19:04.939 father to come and 00:19:04.939 --> 00:19:06.500 save his people. 00:19:07.699 --> 00:19:09.119 It delighted him to 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:10.479 go into the world 00:19:10.479 --> 00:19:12.419 himself in order to 00:19:12.419 --> 00:19:13.739 fulfil his own 00:19:13.739 --> 00:19:14.459 commission. 00:19:14.939 --> 00:19:16.539 He came, and so we 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.759 too must go. 00:19:19.159 --> 00:19:19.899 Now the emphasis 00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:21.500 here is on the 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.799 church itself going 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:24.299 into the world with 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.319 the message of the 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:25.799 gospel. 00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:28.059 Preachers, ministers 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:29.679 going out, missionaries 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:31.600 going out, declaring 00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:32.560 the good news of 00:19:32.560 --> 00:19:33.279 Jesus Christ. 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:34.779 But it also, I 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:35.700 think, entails 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:38.720 Christians, just 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.740 generally Christians, 00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:41.019 whoever you are, 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.480 going out into 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:44.180 work, going out 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:45.160 into school, going 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:45.920 out into the 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:47.259 community in which 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:47.900 you live, going 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:49.740 out into your 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.420 neighbours' homes, 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.180 even perhaps as it 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:51.900 were going out into 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.980 your own families. 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:55.900 That is what we are 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.720 to be about as 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.220 Christians. 00:19:58.060 --> 00:19:58.980 Going out. 00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.960 The Christian 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:01.940 life you see is 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.759 not static. 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.099 The Christian life 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.660 is dynamic. 00:20:06.620 --> 00:20:07.420 It has this 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:09.380 dynamic force to 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:09.700 it. 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:10.400 And for those of 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:11.079 you with children, 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.180 what is your 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:13.900 mission field? 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.819 Where do you go? 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:15.519 Oh, your 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:15.980 children. 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.839 Well, children are 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.579 your mission field. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.200 I remember one 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.480 time a lady 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.140 speaking to 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:22.200 someone, feeling 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:24.180 utterly bereft and 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.940 down because she 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.920 just wasn't speaking 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.839 to that many 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.759 non-Christians. 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.599 she had done as a 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.339 younger woman when 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:29.779 she was at 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.720 university. 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:31.240 I think she'd 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:31.920 seen quite a few 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.440 of her friends 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:33.220 come to Christ 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:34.099 and now she was 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:34.660 a bit older, she 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:35.259 had a couple of 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:36.480 kids and she 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.640 just, time was 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.559 taken up with 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.140 her children. 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.839 And she was 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:42.359 downcast because 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.220 she didn't feel 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:43.779 like she was 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.500 fulfilling the 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.779 great commission 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.879 and her minister 00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:47.559 said to her, 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.279 your mission field 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.900 is your children. 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.240 That's your 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:53.039 primary focus. 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.160 You should be 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:54.720 teaching them, 00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:55.559 praying for them. 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:57.639 Maybe that is an 00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.399 encouragement to 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.059 some of you. 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.919 So we go to 00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:02.779 make disciples and 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:04.500 secondly, we make 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.259 disciples by 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.159 baptising. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:07.740 Go therefore and 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.480 make disciples of 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:08.980 all nations, 00:21:09.179 --> 00:21:10.940 baptising them in 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:11.419 the name of the 00:21:11.419 --> 00:21:12.460 Father and of the 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.700 Son and of the 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.460 Holy Spirit. 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.480 That's interesting, 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:17.940 isn't it? 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:21.620 It's interesting, 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.559 why does Jesus 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.740 think baptism is 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.620 so important? 00:21:26.100 --> 00:21:26.539 I mean, isn't 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.460 baptism just an 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.380 optional extra? 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:31.059 That's the way a 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.860 lot of people think 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.539 about baptism, 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.039 isn't it? 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.620 It's clearly 00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:39.460 vital to Jesus 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:42.160 that we baptise 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:42.600 people. 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:45.160 There are many 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:46.039 reasons why, but 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:47.099 I think in 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:48.139 context, the 00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:48.819 main reason is 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.740 because it's 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:52.539 the mark, it's 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.420 the physical 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.599 sign, if you 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:56.339 will, that you 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:57.139 have been 00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:58.519 initiated into 00:21:58.519 --> 00:22:00.139 the school of 00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:01.259 Jesus Christ and 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.079 you have begun 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:04.059 his discipleship 00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:04.519 lessons. 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:05.399 I mean, that's 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.039 what it means to 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.700 be a disciple, 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:07.319 it means to be 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:08.099 a learner, a 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:09.180 follower, someone 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:10.000 who sits, as it 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.420 were, at the 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.139 feet of Jesus 00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:13.139 and listens to 00:22:13.139 --> 00:22:13.379 him. 00:22:13.380 --> 00:22:16.420 baptism marks 00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:18.160 you out as 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:19.880 belonging exclusively 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:20.680 to him. 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:21.720 It's a gracious 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:24.200 sign and seal and 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:25.640 mark that he puts 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:27.100 upon you and 00:22:27.100 --> 00:22:28.380 says, now come, I 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:29.060 love you, now 00:22:29.060 --> 00:22:30.800 learn from me, 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.900 learn in my 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:33.540 glorious school. 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:35.960 Baptism, I think, 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.600 is a bit like a 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:37.200 wedding ring. 00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:39.160 You know how in a 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:40.020 marriage, the 00:22:40.020 --> 00:22:40.580 husband and the 00:22:40.580 --> 00:22:42.440 wife exchange 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:43.559 rings and those 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:45.940 rings signify 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:46.980 that they belong 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:48.779 exclusively to 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.420 one another. 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.940 In this deep, 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:54.400 personal, intimate 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.420 relationship, 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:58.500 baptism is, as it 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.180 were, the wedding 00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:00.880 ring that God 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.920 places upon the 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.740 fingers of his 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.299 disciples. 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:05.779 And he says to 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:07.500 them in their 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.460 baptism, I love 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:10.500 you, you are 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.019 mine. 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:13.059 And that's why 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:13.720 I think Jesus' 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:15.920 disciples are 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:17.220 baptized into the 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.920 new covenant 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:20.519 name of God. 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.779 The God who is 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:23.339 one and the God 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:23.980 who is three. 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.460 God the Father, 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:26.319 God the Son, 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:28.259 and God the 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.319 Holy Spirit. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.259 When you were 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.139 baptized, my 00:23:31.139 --> 00:23:32.420 friends, when you 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.359 were baptized, God 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:35.039 the Father, God 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.680 the Son, and God 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:38.019 the Holy Spirit all 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:39.879 said to you, whether 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.800 you were aware of 00:23:40.800 --> 00:23:42.060 it or not, they 00:23:42.060 --> 00:23:43.000 all said to you 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:45.040 with one unified 00:23:45.040 --> 00:23:46.900 voice, I love 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:48.360 you, and I have 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:50.460 set you apart for 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.120 myself. 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.740 You are my 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.340 disciples. 00:23:55.300 --> 00:23:56.380 Now learn from 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:58.840 me, and go out 00:23:58.840 --> 00:23:59.940 in my name. 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:01.600 So we make 00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:02.640 disciples by going, 00:24:02.760 --> 00:24:04.400 by baptizing, and 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:05.380 then finally by 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:06.220 teaching. 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.240 Go therefore, make 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.000 disciples of all 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.980 nations, baptizing 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.640 them into the name 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.339 of the Father, the 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:11.720 Son, and the 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.859 Holy Spirit, teaching 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:14.319 them to observe all 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:15.460 that I have 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.539 commanded you. 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.680 You see, Jesus' 00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:19.660 disciples, they need 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.400 to grow up. 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:22.880 We need to, we 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:23.519 need to mature, 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.079 don't we? 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:26.019 We need to be 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.900 nurtured in our 00:24:26.900 --> 00:24:27.099 faith. 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.700 In fact, I think 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.680 that's actually where 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.700 the emphasis in many 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.480 ways lies. 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:32.160 Jesus doesn't say, 00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:33.500 go and make 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.339 Christians. 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.180 That's, as it 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:36.839 were, his job. 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:38.639 He says, go and 00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:39.339 make disciples. 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.699 Train people up. 00:24:41.439 --> 00:24:42.339 Yes, proclaim the 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.119 gospel, seek 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:43.959 converts, of course. 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.899 It doesn't exclude 00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:45.559 that in any way. 00:24:45.659 --> 00:24:46.819 But the emphasis, I 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.639 think, is on training 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.500 people up, making 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.000 disciples. 00:24:49.639 --> 00:24:50.539 And we need to be 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:50.879 taught. 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:52.699 We need to be 00:24:52.699 --> 00:24:53.339 taught if we're to 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:54.439 grow up in the 00:24:54.439 --> 00:24:55.199 ways of Christ, 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:55.659 don't we? 00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:56.699 If we're going to 00:24:56.699 --> 00:24:58.119 graduate from being 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:59.519 babes in Christ to 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.919 mature adults, we 00:25:00.919 --> 00:25:01.720 need to be taught. 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.199 And what is it we 00:25:03.199 --> 00:25:03.839 need to be taught? 00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:05.939 All that Jesus has 00:25:05.939 --> 00:25:06.419 commanded. 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:08.279 The whole truth 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.740 of God's, from 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.740 Genesis 1 through 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:12.460 to Revelation 22, 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:13.300 I think it is. 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.340 The whole Bible. 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.900 We need to expose 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.800 ourselves to it. 00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:17.380 We need to sit 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:19.380 under the preaching 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:20.279 and the teaching of 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.880 his words. 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.220 And we are to 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.160 observe all that 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.720 he's commanded. 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.700 His teaching is 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:27.300 intensely practical. 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.279 And this is, I 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.800 would say, the 00:25:29.800 --> 00:25:30.420 particular responsibility 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.440 of ordained 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.220 ministers, those 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.000 men that God has 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.779 set apart to 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:36.059 preach and to 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:37.279 teach his 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.799 words. 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.139 It's here, it's 00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:39.980 right here, right 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:42.660 now, that is the 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:44.740 key element of 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.940 your discipleship. 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:47.139 Yes, one-on-ones 00:25:47.139 --> 00:25:48.039 are very, very 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.460 useful. 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:49.200 Home groups are 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.819 very useful. 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:50.940 But it's right 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.000 here, right now, 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.960 at the worship 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.920 service, sitting 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:56.519 under the preached 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.819 words, the 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.539 authoritative 00:25:58.539 --> 00:26:00.379 preaching of God's 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.220 word, that you 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:01.740 are being 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.779 discipled, that you 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.200 are being 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.019 assured, that you 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.940 are being nurtured 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:06.980 in the ways of 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.500 Christ. 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.080 I remember when I 00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:10.720 was at primary 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.600 school, I thought I 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:12.240 knew it all. 00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:14.279 I thought I was so 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.900 clever, and then I 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.559 went to secondary 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.559 school, and I 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.240 realised I didn't, 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:18.180 but after a few 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:18.920 years, I again 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.840 thought I knew it 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:20.000 all. 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.559 And then I went 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.380 off to university, 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.440 and I quickly 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.240 discovered that I 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.980 didn't know it 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.200 all. 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.620 There was a whole 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:27.559 ocean of knowledge 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.200 out there that I 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:29.620 would never grasp, 00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:30.759 and the older I 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.360 get, the more I 00:26:31.360 --> 00:26:32.019 realise is how 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.980 little I do know. 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:34.940 As I study God's 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.799 word, there's more 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.519 and more that I 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.500 am just completely 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.759 ignorant of. 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:39.940 And it's a bit 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.720 like that in the 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.840 school of Christ. 00:26:42.620 --> 00:26:44.120 We are students in 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:47.279 his school, and we 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.000 are growing in 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.620 knowledge, but the 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:49.640 more that we sit 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.360 at the feet of 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:51.059 Jesus, the more 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:52.480 we realise we'll 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:53.279 never plumb the 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.819 depths of his 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:56.160 glory and his 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.539 truth. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.220 But this is the 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:58.920 best school 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.580 imaginable. 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.080 Let me just 00:27:00.080 --> 00:27:00.600 stress that. 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.180 I know perhaps 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:01.779 some of you, 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.140 school isn't such 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:04.400 a happy experience, 00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:05.940 or perhaps wasn't 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.540 such a happy 00:27:06.540 --> 00:27:07.660 experience when you 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:09.040 were younger, but 00:27:09.040 --> 00:27:09.820 this is the best 00:27:09.820 --> 00:27:10.920 school imaginable, 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.860 because Jesus is 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:13.460 the teacher. 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.759 He knows all, and 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.840 he is merciful to 00:27:16.840 --> 00:27:17.100 you. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:17.960 And sometimes we 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.780 get things wrong, 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.200 don't we? 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:20.920 We make errors. 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:22.360 We don't always 00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:23.980 observe all that he 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.800 commands us to do. 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:25.680 But every day we 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.480 fall short, don't 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:26.660 we? 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.780 And he's not a 00:27:27.780 --> 00:27:28.400 teacher that brings 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:29.060 out the cane. 00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:29.560 I know they don't 00:27:29.560 --> 00:27:30.480 have canes anymore. 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.599 He's not that sort 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.400 of teacher that 00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:33.700 slaps you down 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.180 when you get it 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:34.420 wrong. 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.059 He's the sort of 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:36.599 teacher that says, 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.120 don't worry. 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.700 He picks you up 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:39.980 again. 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.420 He's merciful. 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.279 He's kind. 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.559 He's patient. 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.700 So Jesus' 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:48.019 program is what 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:49.579 directs mission. 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.380 And then finally, 00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.700 we see that Jesus' 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:54.240 presence is what 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.539 sustains mission. 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.599 His presence is 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:57.860 what sustains 00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:58.200 mission. 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:58.819 And behold, 00:27:59.059 --> 00:27:59.819 I am with you 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:01.660 always to the 00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:02.680 end of the 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.059 age. 00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:04.019 Jesus promises 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:05.000 to his disciples 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.220 that he will 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:07.660 sustain them in 00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.500 their work of 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:10.039 making disciples 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.019 all the way up 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:12.080 to the ends of 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:12.559 history. 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.640 Now of course, 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:15.940 Jesus isn't going 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.600 to be with his 00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:17.600 disciples bodily. 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:19.019 He's about to 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:20.080 ascend back up 00:28:20.080 --> 00:28:20.740 into heaven. 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:22.960 But he will be 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.500 with them 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:25.019 spiritually. 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:27.140 And if you 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:27.720 can see my 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.339 notes, you 00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:28.900 see that I've 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.500 got a capital 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.740 S there. 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.339 He will be 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:34.120 with them by 00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:35.240 his Holy Spirit 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.880 whom he will 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:37.100 send out upon 00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:38.200 them at 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:38.960 Pentecost. 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:40.039 This is how 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:40.980 Jesus continues 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.640 to be with 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.539 his church 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:42.940 today. 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:43.960 This is how 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.460 he is with 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.259 you right now. 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:45.779 He is with 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:47.600 you by his 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:49.460 Holy Spirit. 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:51.660 And in fact, 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.160 this is 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:54.980 fascinating, 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.500 I think. 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:57.500 Jesus has 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.440 even said 00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:59.859 that it is 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.160 to the 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:00.599 disciples' 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.259 advantage 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.980 that he 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.720 goes away 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:05.680 so that the 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:06.279 helper, the 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:06.859 Holy Spirit, 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.440 can come to 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:07.579 them. 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.400 He talks about 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:08.880 that in 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:09.980 John chapter 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.740 16. 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.160 It's actually 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:15.240 better for us 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.839 that he is 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.380 not here 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:17.779 bodily, 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.059 but 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:20.660 spiritually. 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:24.540 do you 00:29:24.540 --> 00:29:25.160 ever think, 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.259 I think 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:26.800 this anyway, 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:28.380 do you 00:29:28.380 --> 00:29:28.700 ever think 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:28.980 that your 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.740 church 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:31.380 would be 00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:31.940 better off 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.279 if only 00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:32.960 Jesus were 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.759 actually here 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.120 in the 00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:34.700 flesh? 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:37.800 Well, let me 00:29:37.800 --> 00:29:38.279 put it this 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:38.460 way. 00:29:38.540 --> 00:29:39.160 This is what 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:39.600 will bring it 00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.060 home to you 00:29:40.060 --> 00:29:40.700 perhaps. 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:41.540 Would you 00:29:41.540 --> 00:29:41.980 rather have 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.460 me, 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.740 or Paul, 00:29:45.800 --> 00:29:46.540 or Stuart 00:29:46.540 --> 00:29:47.480 preaching to you 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.140 right now, 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.400 or Jesus? 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:53.800 It's a bit 00:29:53.800 --> 00:29:54.580 of a no-brainer, 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.340 I suppose. 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.540 But Jesus 00:29:58.540 --> 00:29:59.960 is saying 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.700 that it's 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.120 actually to 00:30:02.120 --> 00:30:02.820 our advantage 00:30:02.820 --> 00:30:03.320 that he 00:30:03.320 --> 00:30:04.160 will go 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.640 away, 00:30:05.320 --> 00:30:05.840 and that the 00:30:05.840 --> 00:30:06.400 Spirit will 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:06.800 come, and 00:30:06.800 --> 00:30:07.420 that is how 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.240 he will be 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:09.700 present with 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:09.960 us. 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.340 You are 00:30:10.340 --> 00:30:10.940 actually better 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.460 off, we 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:11.880 are better 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:12.640 off now, 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.820 than the 00:30:13.820 --> 00:30:15.220 disciples were 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:15.700 during his 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.680 33 years 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.820 on this 00:30:17.820 --> 00:30:18.140 earth. 00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:19.840 And there 00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:20.120 are many 00:30:20.120 --> 00:30:20.700 reasons for 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:20.980 this, but 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.540 here's one. 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:23.780 Now the 00:30:23.780 --> 00:30:24.640 proclamation of 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.420 the gospel can 00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:26.759 indeed go to 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.460 all nations, 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:29.180 to the 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.759 farthest 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.160 shores. 00:30:31.080 --> 00:30:31.580 You see, if it 00:30:31.580 --> 00:30:32.400 depended upon 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:33.300 Jesus being 00:30:33.300 --> 00:30:34.100 here bodily, 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.420 then there's a 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.160 sense in which 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:38.400 the gospel could 00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:39.140 only really go 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:39.620 where Jesus 00:30:39.620 --> 00:30:40.519 himself was, 00:30:40.580 --> 00:30:41.060 located. 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:41.319 it. 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.359 But now we 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.720 can go to 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.599 all nations, 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:48.039 because by 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:48.919 his Spirit he 00:30:48.919 --> 00:30:49.799 is present with 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.379 his people, 00:30:50.919 --> 00:30:52.200 wherever they 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.819 go, wherever 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.559 his disciples 00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:54.519 go, they go 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.419 in the presence 00:30:55.419 --> 00:30:57.440 of Jesus, by 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.279 his Spirit. 00:30:59.279 --> 00:30:59.919 And that is a 00:30:59.919 --> 00:31:01.399 presence that 00:31:01.399 --> 00:31:03.200 lifts us, that 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:03.899 is a presence 00:31:03.899 --> 00:31:05.500 that gives us 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.899 confidence and 00:31:06.899 --> 00:31:07.899 boldness to 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:09.500 actually go to 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.140 all nations. 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.359 I remember 00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:14.099 when I was at 00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:15.059 Duke Street a 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:15.640 few years ago 00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:16.079 now, we 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:17.180 cobbled together 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.279 a cricket team, 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.500 and we were 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.119 not a particularly 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.900 good cricket team, 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.579 let me tell you. 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:23.579 I even had me 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.140 opening the 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:24.920 batting, just 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.519 because I could 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:26.259 basically play a 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:26.900 sort of forward 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.900 defensive, I knew 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:28.559 how to keep a 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.700 straight bat. 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.480 We were a pretty 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.359 poor cricket team, 00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:31.920 but we did have 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:33.700 one guy who was 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.880 very, very, very 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.460 good, it was 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.200 this South African 00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:37.660 called Mike, 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:40.700 and his 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.560 sheer presence 00:31:41.560 --> 00:31:42.519 with us lifted 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.400 the team, because 00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:44.140 he's someone that 00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:45.740 hit six virtually 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.680 every delivery, and 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:48.060 he had a really 00:31:48.060 --> 00:31:48.980 fast delivery. 00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.200 He was just a 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:51.160 great player. 00:31:51.320 --> 00:31:51.759 I remember we 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.420 were always really 00:31:52.420 --> 00:31:53.680 worried when we 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.420 gathered together 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:54.900 and he wasn't 00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:55.580 there yet, he 00:31:55.580 --> 00:31:56.200 was running a bit 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:56.800 late, but as 00:31:56.800 --> 00:31:57.640 soon as he came 00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:58.440 it lifted us and 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.800 we all played at 00:31:59.800 --> 00:32:00.380 least a little bit 00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.640 better as a 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:02.060 result. 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:05.100 If Jesus were 00:32:05.100 --> 00:32:06.019 not with us, 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:08.059 by the power of 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.799 his Holy Spirit, 00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:09.460 we would soon 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:09.940 lose heart, 00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:10.259 wouldn't we? 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:10.879 We would give 00:32:10.879 --> 00:32:12.259 up, we would 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:12.920 go home. 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:14.139 But Jesus' 00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:15.480 presence with us 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:16.639 at all times 00:32:16.639 --> 00:32:18.059 gives us great 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:19.160 boldness and 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:19.940 great confidence. 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:21.839 And it means 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:23.660 that even when 00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:24.339 only two or 00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:24.900 three people 00:32:24.900 --> 00:32:25.960 gather together, 00:32:26.139 --> 00:32:26.720 sure, that's 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.440 disheartening, 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:29.099 but we don't 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:29.879 despair because 00:32:29.879 --> 00:32:31.759 Jesus is with 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.220 us. 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.339 You see, Jesus 00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:34.980 is as much 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:35.599 with us in 00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.319 our twos and 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:37.139 in our threes 00:32:37.139 --> 00:32:38.399 as he is in 00:32:38.399 --> 00:32:39.119 our hundreds 00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:40.419 and our 00:32:40.419 --> 00:32:40.919 thousands. 00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:43.399 And sometimes 00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:45.039 it might not 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.699 feel as if 00:32:45.699 --> 00:32:46.619 Jesus is with 00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:46.839 you. 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:48.159 It might not 00:32:48.159 --> 00:32:49.079 feel that way, 00:32:49.459 --> 00:32:50.099 but it is a 00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:50.579 fact. 00:32:51.919 --> 00:32:52.859 It's a promise. 00:32:53.659 --> 00:32:54.220 Jesus says, 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:55.079 I will be with 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:55.959 you always. 00:32:56.859 --> 00:32:57.779 Not just most 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.240 of the time, 00:32:58.339 --> 00:32:59.259 but always, 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.459 to the end of 00:33:00.459 --> 00:33:01.259 the age, to the 00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:01.839 end of history, 00:33:01.939 --> 00:33:02.720 I will be with 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.180 you at all 00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:03.700 times. 00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:05.160 Sometimes, when 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:05.579 you're perhaps 00:33:05.579 --> 00:33:06.259 going through 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:07.519 difficult periods, 00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:08.100 when the dark 00:33:08.100 --> 00:33:09.059 clouds gather, it 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:10.019 doesn't feel as 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:10.960 if Jesus is with 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:11.180 you. 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.120 When your church 00:33:12.120 --> 00:33:12.740 is struggling, 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:14.079 as no doubt it 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:14.839 has done, or 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:15.319 perhaps it will 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:15.779 in the future, 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.860 it may not feel 00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:17.799 as if Jesus is 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.259 with you. 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:19.039 But it is a 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:19.500 fact. 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.500 And we base 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.460 our lives, we 00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:23.160 base our faith, 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:23.839 not upon the way 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:26.059 we feel, but 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:26.880 upon what is 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:28.400 revealed to us, 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:29.700 what is fact, 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.500 what is true. 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:32.000 And the fact 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.660 is, as Jesus 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:33.579 himself says 00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:34.299 here, he is 00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:35.180 with us always. 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.420 He will be with 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.079 you wherever you 00:33:37.079 --> 00:33:37.700 go, as you go 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:38.359 out into work 00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:38.920 during the week, 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:39.900 as you face a 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:40.720 difficult boss, 00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:41.579 as you face 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.200 struggles in 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:42.700 your home, 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.880 difficulties at 00:33:43.880 --> 00:33:44.259 school, 00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:45.539 difficulties in 00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.000 your neighbourhood, 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:46.559 wherever it 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.279 might be, Jesus 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:48.339 goes with you. 00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:49.759 You are never 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.720 alone. 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:52.819 His abiding 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:54.819 presence sustains 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:56.160 you and keeps 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:56.660 you going. 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:58.660 And so we see 00:33:58.660 --> 00:33:59.259 that we have 00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:01.840 great responsibility 00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:02.740 as Christians. 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.100 This is rightly 00:34:05.100 --> 00:34:05.779 called, I think, 00:34:05.820 --> 00:34:06.200 the Great 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:06.519 Commission. 00:34:06.660 --> 00:34:07.420 It is indeed 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:08.220 a Great 00:34:08.220 --> 00:34:09.159 Commission. 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.659 This is the 00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:11.420 point of the 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:11.659 Church. 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:12.680 This is the 00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:14.460 purpose of the 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:14.980 Church. 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.200 To worship 00:34:16.200 --> 00:34:17.159 Christ by 00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:18.260 making disciples 00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:19.960 of all nations, 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.840 by going, by 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:22.340 baptising, by 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:22.760 teaching. 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:24.200 There is so 00:34:24.200 --> 00:34:25.680 much for us 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:26.260 to do. 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:28.480 so much 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:29.560 for us to 00:34:29.560 --> 00:34:30.060 accomplish. 00:34:30.200 --> 00:34:30.720 And sometimes 00:34:30.720 --> 00:34:31.440 it can feel 00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:31.980 like there is 00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:32.780 too much. 00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.480 That it is in 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.020 fact too 00:34:35.020 --> 00:34:36.120 great a 00:34:36.120 --> 00:34:36.740 commission. 00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:37.560 How can we 00:34:37.560 --> 00:34:38.460 ever cope? 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:41.180 Let me finish 00:34:41.180 --> 00:34:41.760 with this. 00:34:43.160 --> 00:34:44.200 Always remember 00:34:44.200 --> 00:34:45.540 that the 00:34:45.540 --> 00:34:45.840 Great 00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:46.300 Commission 00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:47.940 is given 00:34:47.940 --> 00:34:49.140 by the 00:34:49.140 --> 00:34:49.580 Great 00:34:49.580 --> 00:34:50.440 Commissioner 00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.400 himself. 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:53.059 It is 00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.740 given by 00:34:53.740 --> 00:34:53.960 the 00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:54.300 One 00:34:54.300 --> 00:34:54.639 who 00:34:54.639 --> 00:34:55.480 completed 00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:55.820 his 00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:56.320 own 00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:56.980 Great 00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:57.460 Commission. 00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:58.720 It is 00:34:58.720 --> 00:34:59.119 given by 00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.400 the One 00:34:59.400 --> 00:34:59.900 who does 00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:00.579 now possess 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:01.660 all authority 00:35:01.660 --> 00:35:02.340 over heaven 00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:03.099 and earth, 00:35:03.160 --> 00:35:03.680 who has 00:35:03.680 --> 00:35:04.420 an all 00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.039 conquering 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.680 power. 00:35:05.780 --> 00:35:05.900 It is 00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:06.360 given by 00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:06.800 the One 00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:07.360 who will 00:35:07.360 --> 00:35:07.780 be with 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:07.960 you 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:08.599 always, 00:35:08.700 --> 00:35:08.920 wherever 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.539 you go, 00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:10.360 to the 00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:11.019 end of 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:12.039 the age. 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:12.559 Yes, 00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:12.960 it is a 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.300 Great 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:13.740 Commission, 00:35:14.240 --> 00:35:14.619 but you, 00:35:14.720 --> 00:35:15.340 my friends, 00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.519 you have 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:17.340 a far, 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:17.680 far 00:35:17.680 --> 00:35:18.240 greater 00:35:18.240 --> 00:35:19.119 commission. 00:35:19.119 --> 00:35:21.759 Let's 00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:22.159 praise and 00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:22.400 cry.