WEBVTT

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 And please open up your Bibles to Matthew chapter 28, verses 16 to 20.

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! Matthew chapter 28, verses 16 to 20.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word.

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 Heavenly Father, whether we have a building or not,

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 rain or shine, we have gathered in your name to honor you,

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 to worship you, to be taught from your word,

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 that we might be your faithful disciples

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 for as long as we are here on earth,

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 making disciples of all nations.

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 So, Lord, please speak to us,

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 address us by the power of your Holy Spirit

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 in your word.

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 Lord, reveal to us the wondrous things in your word

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 and conform us to it, shape us with it,

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 all for the glory of your name.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 If you are able, please stand.

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 Let's honor God together as we read from the word.

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 Matthew 28, verses 16 to 20.

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 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee,

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 to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

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 And when they saw him, they worshipped him.

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 But some doubted.

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 And Jesus came and said to them,

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 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

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 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

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 baptizing them in the name of the Father

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 and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

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 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

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 And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 Please be seated.

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 We're not doing anything special to celebrate this this year,

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 but it is our 11th anniversary since our church's founding.

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 And it's as good a Sunday as any to ask ourselves,

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 why do we exist as a local church?

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 What's our reason for being?

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 What's our purpose?

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 What's our mission?

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 Do we exist to be a force for good in our society,

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 in our city, in our neighborhood?

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 Do we exist to create a loving community of Christians in Cambridge

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 where we can all belong together?

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 Why do we exist?

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 In our passage this morning, Jesus answers that question.

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 The Great Commission, as it has come to be known,

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 is found in its essential form in all four Gospels

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 and in the Book of Acts.

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 It's a climactic command that Jesus issues to all his followers

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 shortly before his ascension.

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 And because these are his last words, his parting words,

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 and because they succinctly summarize all of the Gospels

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 and the direction and the directive of the four Gospels,

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 many have called this the marching orders of the church.

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 And so my main point this morning is simple.

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 Make disciples of Jesus Christ.

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 If I could expand that a little bit,

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 I could say that the universal authority of Jesus enables us to make disciples of Jesus,

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 make disciples of Jesus among all the nations.

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 I'm going to talk first about all authority that Jesus says that he has,

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 and then about all nations, and then all commands,

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 and then all the days that Jesus commands us to do this.

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 Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph,

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 have informed Jesus' 11 remaining disciples that the risen Jesus will meet them in Galilee.

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 So it says in verse 16 that now the 11 disciples went to Galilee

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 to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

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 Apparently, either they were in the habit of meeting Jesus in this mountain in Galilee,

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 or Jesus had specifically instructed them to meet him at this mountain.

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 They know where to go, and they're expecting to meet the risen Jesus.

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 And they're not disappointed.

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 It says in verse 17,

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 And when they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted.

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 Since verse 18 tells us that Jesus came to them,

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 it seems that the disciples spotted Jesus from a distance away,

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 and out of awe, and they started to worship him immediately,

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 and Jesus then comes near them, approaches them.

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 And so when they're worshipping him and falling before him like this,

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 they're recognizing that Jesus is not merely human.

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 He's divine.

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 They're bowing before him, prostrating themselves in worship,

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 in acknowledgement of his supreme worth and glory.

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 But they are not entirely without doubts.

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 It says that some doubted.

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 And the word translated doubt here also means to hesitate.

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 It's the same word that was used in chapter 14

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 when Peter stepped out in faith to walk on water toward Jesus.

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 And he had faith to do that.

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 But as soon as he started seeing the winds

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 and the stirring up of the waves,

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 he says that he doubted.

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 Jesus says to him,

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 Oh, you of little faith, why did you doubt?

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 So the disciples worshipped Jesus after seeing the risen Lord,

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 but some doubted.

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 Some of them were afraid.

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 Some of them were doubtful.

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 They had little faith.

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 Sure, there was excitement, anticipation,

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 but there was also hesitation.

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 Can this really be Jesus?

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 Did he really rise from the dead?

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 Is he really the son of God who has taken on human flesh?

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 It's remarkable that their doubt is mentioned here at all.

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 If you are writing a book to convince people that Jesus is the Christ,

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 the son of God,

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 who is risen from the dead,

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 which is the gospel of Matthew,

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 would you include a statement saying that his disciples,

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 his own disciples that have been with him all along,

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 doubted after his resurrection?

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 Probably not.

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 But Matthew includes it here because it's true.

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 It's what happened.

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 Though they should have had more faith,

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 some of them doubted,

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 and that fact in turn encourages us,

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 those of us who sometimes doubt.

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 Do you ever wrestle with doubts

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 and questions that you have no answer to?

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 Jude 1.22 commands us,

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 have mercy on those who doubt.

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 We are commanded to do precisely what Jesus does

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 for his disciples in this passage.

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 When Jesus saw how some of his disciples doubted,

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 he didn't condemn them out of exasperation.

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 How can you still doubt me after all that you've seen?

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 Calming of the storms,

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 defeating of the 5,000,

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 now rising from the dead,

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 and you still doubt me.

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 Away from me, you faithless generation.

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 He could have said that,

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 but he didn't say that.

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 Instead, he showed them mercy.

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 A bruised reed he will not break,

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 and a smoldering wick he will not quench.

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 Some of the disciples doubted,

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 but still they heeded the message of Mary,

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 and Mary, they still showed up

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 on the mountain in Galilee, didn't they?

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 Yes, some of you doubt,

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 but aren't you still here this Sunday morning

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 to worship God?

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 Aren't you still listening to

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 and believing the message of the gospel?

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 Do not be disheartened by your doubts.

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 Continue in your faith,

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 seeking understanding,

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 and persevere in faith and obedience,

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 knowing that Jesus, our Lord, is merciful.

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 It seems that the combination of fear and awe

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 is what kept them away,

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 but Jesus approaches them,

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 and imagine this scene

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 as Jesus steps toward them

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 and draws near to them

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 and makes this pronouncement.

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 This is the first time

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 they're seeing the risen Lord.

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 It says,

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 We see four phrases with the adjective all

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 in these verses,

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 indicating the comprehensiveness

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 of this great commission.

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 All authority,

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 all nations,

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 all commands,

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 and all ways,

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 or more literally,

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 all the days.

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 This is a fulfillment

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 of the prophecy of Daniel 7, 13-14.

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 Remember,

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 Jesus most often refers to himself

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 in the gospels as the son of man,

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 and that prophecy in Daniel 7 says,

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 The son of man approaches

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 the ancient of days,

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 the Lord God,

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 and he's given all authority

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 and glory and dominion and power

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 so that all peoples

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 and nations and languages

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 should serve him.

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 So all authority,

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 all nations,

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 and he says his dominion

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 is an everlasting dominion

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 which shall not pass away,

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 and his kingdom,

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 one that shall not be destroyed.

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 In other words,

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 all ways,

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 all the days.

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 This is the fulfillment

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 of the prophecy of Daniel 7.

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 All authority,

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 all nations,

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 all commands,

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 all the days.

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 First,

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 we see the universal authority

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 of Jesus in verse 18.

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 All authority in heaven

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 and on earth

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 has been given to me.

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 If you remember in chapter 4

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 when Satan came to Jesus

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 to tempt him,

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 he showed him,

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 he took him to a mountain,

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 a high mountain,

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 showed him all the kingdoms

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 of the world

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 and their glory,

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 and he offered it to Jesus.

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 He said,

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 All these I will give you

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 if you will fall down

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 and worship me.

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 And Jesus rebuffed him

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 and then,

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 and it said,

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 Be gone,

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 Satan,

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 for it is written,

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 you shall worship the Lord

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 your God

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 and him alone

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 shall you serve.

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 Now,

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 having obeyed God the Father

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 and having fulfilled

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 his mission to seek

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 and save the lost

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 by giving his life

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 on the cross

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 as a ransom for many,

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 Jesus once again

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 stands upon a mountain.

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 But this time,

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 it's not Satan

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 who offers him authority,

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 it's the Father

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 who has given him authority.

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 And this time,

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 it's not authority

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 on earth only,

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 it's authority

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 on heaven and earth

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 because Jesus

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 has been faithful

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 and Jesus has obeyed

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 and humbled himself

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 before his Father.

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 Governor Mara Healy

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 of Massachusetts

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 has the legal authority

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 to grant pardons

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 to state criminals,

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 but she cannot pardon

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 federal criminals

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 because she doesn't have

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 that authority.

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 It's beyond her jurisdiction.

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 President Donald Trump

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 could not fly

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 the U.S. aircraft

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 through France

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 and into France airspace

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 during recent military operations

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 because the government of France

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 didn't give him permission

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 because he doesn't have authority,

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 jurisdiction in France.

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 He only has authority

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 within the United States of America.

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 But Jesus Christ

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 has no such limitations.

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 He has all authority

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 in heaven

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 and on earth.

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 Whether it's in the U.S.

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 or the U.K.,

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 Russia or China,

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 Iran or Pakistan

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 or Nigeria

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 or Sudan

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 or Cuba

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 or Venezuela,

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 wherever you go,

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 Jesus is king

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 and he has all authority.

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 Whether you live

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 in a red state

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 or a blue state,

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 whatever school you go to,

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 whatever company you work for,

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 Jesus is king

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 and he has all authority

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 in heaven and on earth.

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 Are there disobedient rebel forces

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 at work throughout the world?

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 Yes, of course.

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 But that doesn't change

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 the fact,

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 the reality

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 that Jesus is king

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 overall

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 and that all authority

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 in heaven and on earth

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 belongs to him.

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 Jesus is seated

00:12:40.160 --> 00:12:41.259
 at the right hand of God

00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.060
 in the heavenly places

00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:43.520
 far above all rule

00:12:43.520 --> 00:12:44.040
 and authority

00:12:44.040 --> 00:12:45.000
 and power and dominion

00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.080
 and above every name

00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:46.759
 that is named,

00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:47.920
 not only in this age

00:12:47.920 --> 00:12:49.580
 but also in the one to come.

00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:52.259
 From the archangel Michael

00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.879
 to Satan himself,

00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:55.400
 no angel or demon

00:12:55.400 --> 00:12:56.040
 can thwart

00:12:56.040 --> 00:12:57.540
 the progress,

00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.180
 the fulfillment

00:12:58.180 --> 00:12:59.180
 of this great commission

00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:00.300
 because Jesus has

00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:00.980
 all authority

00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.900
 in heaven and on earth.

00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:05.240
 All proper divinely appointed

00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:06.400
 authorities in the world,

00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:06.980
 fathers,

00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:07.820
 elders,

00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:08.639
 governors,

00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:09.240
 kings,

00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:10.540
 their authority

00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:11.340
 is all derivative.

00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.440
 They derive their authority

00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:14.160
 from God

00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:15.120
 and have no authority

00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:15.860
 in and of themselves.

00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:17.980
 The claim that Jesus

00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:19.040
 has upon our lives

00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:20.000
 trumps all

00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:22.019
 and this is why

00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:22.759
 you cannot

00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:24.079
 wall in Jesus

00:13:24.079 --> 00:13:25.939
 or compartmentalize

00:13:25.939 --> 00:13:26.919
 the authority of Christ.

00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.360
 Jesus has authority

00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:31.120
 here in the gathered church

00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:32.299
 in the Trinity Cambridge Church.

00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:33.679
 I'll speak of him here

00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:34.399
 when we are gathered

00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:36.339
 but I will not speak of him

00:13:36.339 --> 00:13:37.199
 to my neighbors.

00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:39.579
 Jesus has authority

00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:40.360
 here in the U.S.

00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.019
 where we have freedom

00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.480
 of religion

00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.579
 but in these countries

00:13:42.579 --> 00:13:44.120
 where converting

00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:44.579
 to Christianity

00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:45.360
 is outlawed

00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:46.659
 where I'll be persecuted

00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.439
 for my faith,

00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:48.540
 well there

00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:49.140
 that's outside

00:13:49.140 --> 00:13:49.680
 of the purview

00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:50.720
 of Jesus' authority.

00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:52.920
 No it's not.

00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:55.820
 Jesus' authority

00:13:55.820 --> 00:13:57.220
 cannot be contained.

00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:58.640
 It overcomes

00:13:58.640 --> 00:14:00.040
 and overrules

00:14:00.040 --> 00:14:01.020
 every limit

00:14:01.020 --> 00:14:01.920
 and boundary

00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:03.260
 that we placed upon it

00:14:03.260 --> 00:14:04.960
 for all authority

00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:05.640
 in heaven and on earth

00:14:05.640 --> 00:14:06.600
 has been given to him.

00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:08.900
 God the Father

00:14:08.900 --> 00:14:10.200
 has highly exalted Jesus

00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:10.660
 and given him

00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:11.500
 the name that is above

00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.140
 every name

00:14:12.140 --> 00:14:12.900
 so that at the name

00:14:12.900 --> 00:14:13.280
 of Jesus

00:14:13.280 --> 00:14:14.260
 every knee should bow

00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:15.679
 and every tongue confess

00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.819
 that Jesus Christ

00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.220
 is Lord

00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:17.700
 to the glory

00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.559
 of God the Father.

00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.779
 God has put all things

00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:21.460
 in subjection

00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.139
 under Jesus

00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.059
 so that in the end

00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:23.659
 when the Son

00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.600
 gladly submits

00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.720
 and subjects himself

00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:26.419
 to the Father

00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.919
 all glory redounds

00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:28.340
 to him

00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.120
 so that God

00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.100
 may be all in all.

00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.720
 Are you aggrieved

00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.439
 by the fact

00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:34.399
 that there are rebels

00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.039
 who defy

00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.019
 the lordship of Christ

00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.659
 in our city

00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:38.460
 and throughout the world?

00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:40.580
 Does it make you

00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:41.039
 indignant

00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:42.360
 that as the gospel

00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:43.340
 goes forth

00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:43.860
 in the world

00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:45.120
 and as King Jesus

00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.160
 rises forth

00:14:46.160 --> 00:14:46.960
 in the power

00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.660
 of his spirit

00:14:47.660 --> 00:14:49.040
 that there are people

00:14:49.040 --> 00:14:50.379
 who do not bow their heads

00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.120
 before the king?

00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.560
 That's our job.

00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:57.060
 Heralds,

00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.019
 witnesses

00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:59.800
 as disciples of Jesus

00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:00.940
 to go and tell them

00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:02.040
 what are you doing?

00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:03.820
 Why aren't you

00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.560
 bowing the knee

00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:05.399
 before the king?

00:15:06.300 --> 00:15:07.220
 Do you not know

00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:08.340
 he is

00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.560
 the Christ

00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:11.120
 the risen king

00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.879
 the son of the living God?

00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:14.620
 Have you not hurt?

00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.980
 And the fact

00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:18.399
 that Jesus

00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.660
 has all authority

00:15:19.660 --> 00:15:20.519
 is the basis

00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.300
 and the warrant

00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:22.399
 for the great commission

00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:23.420
 to go and make disciples

00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.580
 of all nations.

00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.780
 Look at verse 19.

00:15:26.660 --> 00:15:26.879
 It says,

00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.860
 go therefore

00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:29.220
 and make disciples

00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:30.259
 of all nations.

00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:31.899
 Jesus has

00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:33.280
 all authority.

00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:34.379
 Therefore,

00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:36.280
 go and make disciples

00:15:36.280 --> 00:15:37.220
 of all nations.

00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:39.160
 If Jesus were

00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:40.139
 a local governor

00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.300
 or a provincial ruler,

00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.179
 we will not have

00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:42.859
 to make disciples

00:15:42.859 --> 00:15:43.819
 of all nations.

00:15:44.479 --> 00:15:45.419
 But because he is

00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:46.419
 the king of kings

00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:47.719
 and lord of lords

00:15:47.719 --> 00:15:49.240
 who has all authority

00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:49.959
 in heaven and on earth,

00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.259
 we must make disciples

00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.479
 of all nations.

00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:55.240
 There's a notable contrast

00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:57.139
 between Matthew 28, 19

00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:59.000
 and Matthew 10, verse 5.

00:15:59.839 --> 00:16:01.319
 In Matthew 10, verse 5,

00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.359
 prior to his death

00:16:02.359 --> 00:16:02.899
 and resurrection,

00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.779
 Jesus sent his disciples

00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.939
 out with this instruction.

00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:08.120
 Go nowhere

00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:10.000
 among the Gentiles

00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.660
 and enter no town

00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.560
 of the Samaritans,

00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:13.520
 but go rather

00:16:13.520 --> 00:16:14.460
 to the lost sheep

00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.700
 of the house of Israel

00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:17.720
 and proclaim as you go,

00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:18.380
 saying the kingdom

00:16:18.380 --> 00:16:19.340
 of heaven is at hand.

00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.660
 That word Gentiles

00:16:21.660 --> 00:16:22.880
 there in Matthew 10

00:16:22.880 --> 00:16:24.160
 is a different translation

00:16:24.160 --> 00:16:25.560
 of the same Greek word

00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:26.300
 that's translated

00:16:26.300 --> 00:16:27.160
 in 28, 19

00:16:27.160 --> 00:16:27.940
 as nations.

00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:30.860
 So then in chapter 10,

00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:31.460
 Jesus said,

00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.780
 don't go to the nations.

00:16:33.380 --> 00:16:34.620
 But in chapter 28,

00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.899
 he says, go to all the nations.

00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.919
 Why the sudden turnaround?

00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:42.060
 As Jesus said in John 12, 32,

00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:44.120
 it's when Jesus is lifted up

00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:44.980
 from the earth

00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:46.460
 in his death on the cross

00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:48.460
 that he draws all the nations,

00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.820
 all peoples to himself.

00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:51.740
 It's at the cross

00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.019
 that Jesus disarmed

00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:54.279
 the rulers and the authorities

00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:55.659
 and put them to open shame

00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:56.899
 by triumphing over them.

00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.519
 It's at the cross

00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.720
 that Jesus broke down

00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:01.220
 the dividing wall of hostility

00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.320
 in his flesh

00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:03.820
 between Jews and Gentiles

00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:05.360
 by fulfilling the law.

00:17:05.840 --> 00:17:07.920
 It's only after his death

00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.480
 and resurrection

00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.440
 that we can proclaim

00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.680
 the good news of salvation

00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:12.240
 to Gentiles,

00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.779
 to all nations.

00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.900
 This is why Jesus said

00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.940
 in John 4, 22,

00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.960
 that salvation is from the Jews.

00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.920
 And Paul echoes that

00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:21.980
 in Romans 1, 16.

00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:23.240
 The gospel is the power

00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.120
 of God for salvation

00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:25.500
 to everyone who believes,

00:17:25.820 --> 00:17:27.000
 to the Jew first

00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.580
 and also to the Greek.

00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:31.720
 The Lord spoke to his messianic king

00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.859
 in Psalm 2, 8,

00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.159
 Ask of me

00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:36.519
 and I will make the nations

00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.159
 your heritage

00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:38.439
 and the ends of the earth

00:17:38.439 --> 00:17:39.119
 your possession.

00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.699
 And that's precisely

00:17:40.699 --> 00:17:41.559
 what God has done

00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.179
 for Jesus

00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:43.619
 in raising him

00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.259
 from the dead.

00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:46.419
 The salvation is from the Jews,

00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.439
 but it is no longer

00:17:47.439 --> 00:17:49.059
 exclusively for the Jews.

00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:51.000
 God's plan all along

00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.759
 was for salvation

00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:53.240
 to go to all the nations

00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.000
 from the Jews

00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.839
 as he had promised to Abram

00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:57.439
 in Genesis chapter 12.

00:17:58.439 --> 00:17:59.079
 This mission

00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:00.480
 that God calls us to,

00:18:00.699 --> 00:18:02.139
 that God involves us in,

00:18:02.459 --> 00:18:03.839
 is not a small thing.

00:18:04.439 --> 00:18:05.279
 It is grand,

00:18:05.639 --> 00:18:06.359
 it is glorious,

00:18:06.959 --> 00:18:08.459
 and it is cosmic in scope.

00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.759
 So let us make it

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.199
 our ambition

00:18:11.199 --> 00:18:12.199
 to preach the gospel

00:18:12.199 --> 00:18:13.559
 where Christ has not

00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.839
 already been named.

00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.919
 There are tribes

00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:17.919
 and languages,

00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:18.619
 peoples,

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.199
 and nations

00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.339
 who have not heard

00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.500
 the name of Jesus Christ.

00:18:22.459 --> 00:18:24.139
 How can they bow the knee

00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:24.819
 to a king

00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.960
 that they have not heard of?

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.960
 There are rebel forces

00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.619
 defying the lordship of Jesus

00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.639
 all throughout the world,

00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.379
 so let us go

00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.759
 and share Christ

00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.939
 and his gospel with them

00:18:33.939 --> 00:18:35.480
 so that they pledge allegiance

00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.639
 to our gracious king.

00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:40.159
 We pray for 12 foreign countries

00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:41.279
 throughout the calendar year,

00:18:41.419 --> 00:18:42.200
 one per month.

00:18:42.919 --> 00:18:43.919
 Algeria, Bangladesh,

00:18:44.179 --> 00:18:45.439
 China, India, Indonesia,

00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.879
 Iran, Japan, Myanmar,

00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:49.039
 Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand,

00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:52.240
 because we have gospel partners there

00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.059
 who are working there

00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.720
 that we support,

00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.940
 and or because there are

00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:57.000
 many peoples in those countries

00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:58.339
 among whom Christ

00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:59.919
 has not already been named.

00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:03.480
 Can we one day as a church,

00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.399
 as a local church,

00:19:04.899 --> 00:19:06.679
 send missionary teams out

00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:08.359
 to each of those countries

00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.519
 to make disciples

00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:11.000
 and plant churches?

00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:14.759
 Can we pray and serve

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.480
 and give and teach

00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.319
 toward that end?

00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:20.819
 Can we one day as a church

00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:22.599
 plant churches in Albany,

00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:24.740
 Schenectady, Troy, New York,

00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:27.419
 Springfield, Holyoke, Massachusetts,

00:19:27.659 --> 00:19:28.539
 Burlington, Vermont,

00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:30.619
 Portland, Auburn, Maine,

00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:32.399
 Hartford, New Haven, Connecticut?

00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:35.200
 Some of the least churched

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.879
 and most unbelieving cities

00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:38.159
 in this entire country

00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:39.679
 are all here in the northeast

00:19:39.679 --> 00:19:40.799
 within striking distance

00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.419
 of our church.

00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:43.660
 Are we not here

00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:45.240
 in the capital of New England,

00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.980
 the least Christian region

00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.640
 in our country?

00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.580
 Are we not here

00:19:49.580 --> 00:19:50.660
 in Cambridge,

00:19:51.060 --> 00:19:51.740
 the Jerusalem

00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.960
 of higher education

00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.240
 throughout the world

00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.759
 where people from every tribe

00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.960
 and language and nation

00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:58.340
 come to study and work?

00:19:58.860 --> 00:20:00.039
 Are we not here

00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.539
 for such a time as this?

00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.500
 Pray that God

00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.680
 would send more labors

00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:07.920
 into these ripe harvest fields,

00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:09.740
 that God would raise up labors

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:11.120
 from our very own midst,

00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.460
 that we would have

00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.200
 the resources

00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:14.299
 and the resolve

00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.500
 and the resilience

00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.480
 to sacrifice

00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.740
 and to send

00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:19.420
 and to make disciples

00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.259
 among all nations.

00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:23.299
 I also want you to know

00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.299
 that it's not only those

00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:24.980
 who pick up

00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:25.980
 and leave town

00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:28.680
 to be a missionary

00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:30.240
 or to plant churches,

00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.980
 that they're not the only ones

00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.400
 who are obeying

00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.120
 the Great Commission.

00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:35.120
 The first word

00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:36.700
 of verse 19 is go.

00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:39.440
 It's translated in the ESV

00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.259
 as an imperative,

00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:42.220
 but it is not an imperative.

00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.779
 It's a participle

00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.740
 in the original Greek,

00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.620
 like the word baptizing

00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.400
 and teaching.

00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.620
 As you go, therefore,

00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:51.880
 or going, therefore,

00:20:52.320 --> 00:20:53.039
 make disciples

00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:53.860
 of all nations,

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.259
 baptizing them

00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:56.000
 in the name of the Father

00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.519
 and of the Son

00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.259
 and of the Holy Spirit,

00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.180
 teaching them

00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.799
 to observe all

00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.740
 that I have commanded you.

00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:01.680
 All three participles,

00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:03.799
 going, baptizing, teaching,

00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:05.259
 they all modify

00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.960
 the imperative,

00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.240
 make disciples.

00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.539
 That's the single command.

00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.600
 That's the main command.

00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.580
 Make disciples.

00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:13.759
 And going and baptizing

00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.160
 and teaching

00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.539
 are how you do that.

00:21:16.340 --> 00:21:17.100
 And that means

00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:18.299
 wherever you are,

00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:20.279
 wherever you are going,

00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.299
 right now,

00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:22.500
 you should be making disciples.

00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.460
 When we read

00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.180
 the book of Acts,

00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.360
 we see that it's not only

00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.080
 those who travel

00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:27.900
 to other places

00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:29.320
 with the express purpose

00:21:29.320 --> 00:21:30.340
 of proclaiming the gospel

00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:31.200
 who make disciples.

00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:32.960
 There are people like that,

00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.840
 Philip and Paul

00:21:33.840 --> 00:21:34.400
 and Barnabas

00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:35.100
 and Apollos.

00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:36.939
 But there are also people

00:21:36.939 --> 00:21:38.619
 like those who are mentioned

00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.859
 in Acts 8, 1-4,

00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:41.059
 those who are scattered

00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.899
 throughout the region

00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:43.159
 of Samaria and Judea

00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:44.799
 because of a great persecution

00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.459
 that broke out

00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:46.119
 against the church

00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:46.659
 in Jerusalem.

00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.839
 They had no intention

00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.779
 of leaving Jerusalem.

00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:51.199
 They were scattered

00:21:51.199 --> 00:21:52.359
 by circumstances

00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:53.299
 beyond their control.

00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:54.039
 They were scattered

00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.159
 by great persecution.

00:21:55.939 --> 00:21:56.799
 And yet,

00:21:56.939 --> 00:21:57.859
 wherever they went,

00:21:58.199 --> 00:21:59.319
 they spread the gospel.

00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:02.159
 Wherever you are scattered,

00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.660
 it is our job,

00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.420
 it is our mission

00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:06.000
 to scatter the seeds

00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.540
 of the gospel.

00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:09.240
 Maybe,

00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:11.800
 maybe some of you

00:22:11.800 --> 00:22:12.560
 are scattered here

00:22:12.560 --> 00:22:13.240
 because of school

00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.920
 or a program

00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.600
 that you got into

00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:16.440
 or work that you found

00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:18.000
 or relationship

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.980
 that you got into

00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:21.220
 or maybe you'll be scattered

00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.000
 further from here

00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.960
 to other places.

00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.940
 But wherever you are

00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:26.140
 going,

00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:26.820
 therefore,

00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.940
 make disciples

00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.860
 of Jesus Christ.

00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.580
 It's not only the apostles

00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.819
 who receive the Holy Spirit.

00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:35.240
 All of God's people

00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.279
 receive the Holy Spirit

00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.879
 to be empowered

00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.960
 to go and make disciples.

00:22:39.199 --> 00:22:39.939
 And if you're here

00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:40.779
 in Boston right now,

00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.399
 start here.

00:22:42.679 --> 00:22:43.759
 Moving across the ocean

00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.859
 or changing zip codes

00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:46.259
 does not automatically

00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.279
 make one a missionary.

00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.279
 If you are not sharing

00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:49.939
 the gospel here

00:22:49.939 --> 00:22:50.559
 with anybody,

00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:51.799
 you will not share it

00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.819
 when you change your zip code.

00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.579
 So start here.

00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.500
 Start making disciples.

00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.859
 Making disciples

00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:01.319
 also involves baptizing.

00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.740
 If you confess

00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.599
 with your mouth

00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.519
 that Jesus is Lord

00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.759
 and believe in your heart

00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.079
 that God raised him

00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.639
 from the dead,

00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.679
 you will be saved.

00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.639
 If you are to be saved,

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.359
 you must have

00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:12.419
 an inward faith

00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.799
 in the risen Lord,

00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:15.480
 but you also must confess

00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.299
 with your mouth

00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.220
 that Jesus is Lord.

00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:17.779
 There must be

00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.899
 an outward profession.

00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:20.779
 And baptism

00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.059
 is the sacrament

00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:23.119
 that Jesus has commanded

00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:24.000
 for us to observe

00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.460
 as an outward profession

00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:27.159
 of that inward faith.

00:23:28.159 --> 00:23:29.799
 And baptism presupposes

00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.319
 the context of the church

00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.859
 since individual believers

00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.819
 are all baptized

00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:35.339
 into one body.

00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.259
 When you're baptized,

00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:36.859
 you're baptized

00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:38.099
 into the church,

00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:40.059
 into the body of Christ

00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.460
 as it says

00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.759
 in 1 Corinthians 12, 13.

00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.700
 No one can baptize

00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.299
 him or herself.

00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.859
 It's the gathered body

00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.259
 of Christ

00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.700
 that baptizes new converts

00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.559
 into Christ

00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.799
 and into their body.

00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.799
 And baptism entails

00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:54.139
 repentance of sin

00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:56.020
 and renunciation of self.

00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:58.860
 Acts 22, 16 says,

00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.080
 rise and be baptized

00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:01.700
 and wash away your sins,

00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:03.500
 calling on the name of Jesus.

00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:05.440
 Romans 6, 3 says

00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.200
 that all of us

00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.880
 who have been baptized

00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.620
 into Christ Jesus

00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.240
 have been baptized

00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.440
 into his death

00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:11.060
 so that we might die

00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:12.080
 to our former selves

00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:13.820
 and walk in the newness of life.

00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.880
 That's why we are baptized

00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:17.780
 in the name of the Father

00:24:17.780 --> 00:24:18.500
 and of the Son

00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.680
 and of the Holy Spirit.

00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:22.180
 Notice that the word name

00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.080
 there is singular.

00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.359
 It doesn't say the names

00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.819
 of the Father, Son, and Spirit

00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:27.539
 but the singular name

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.779
 of the Father, the Son,

00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.399
 and the Holy Spirit

00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:31.339
 which is a startling assertion

00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:32.599
 of the divinity of Christ.

00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:34.319
 The Lord God

00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.759
 of the Old Testament,

00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.399
 Yahweh,

00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.460
 who created the world

00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.619
 and who split the Red Sea

00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.519
 and delivered Israel

00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.240
 from Egypt

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:42.720
 is the same Lord God

00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.679
 because Jesus is the second person

00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:45.240
 of the Trinity,

00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:47.059
 the Son of the living God.

00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:49.379
 So he has the name

00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:51.220
 of the Father and the Son

00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.740
 and the Spirit

00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.759
 and that's why

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.819
 in the book of Acts

00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.579
 people often,

00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:56.140
 the church often baptizes people

00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.799
 in the name of Jesus

00:24:57.799 --> 00:25:00.120
 because to baptize people

00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:00.779
 in the name of Jesus

00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:02.160
 is to baptize them

00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.000
 in the name of the Father

00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.500
 and the Son

00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.740
 and the Holy Spirit.

00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.920
 There's one name

00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.480
 that is above

00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.420
 every other name

00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:10.319
 and why is the name

00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:11.359
 of God significant?

00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:13.140
 Because a name

00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.779
 is personal.

00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:16.740
 A name represents someone,

00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:18.140
 it stands for someone.

00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:20.660
 A name brings us

00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.900
 into covenant relationship

00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.460
 with God.

00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.759
 I read a news story

00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:27.080
 of the Rohingya refugee family

00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:27.759
 from Myanmar.

00:25:28.820 --> 00:25:29.580
 As a refugee,

00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:30.720
 at first,

00:25:30.800 --> 00:25:32.040
 they had no recognized

00:25:32.040 --> 00:25:33.280
 legal identity

00:25:33.280 --> 00:25:34.360
 because they didn't have

00:25:34.360 --> 00:25:35.740
 any identification papers.

00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.720
 They had no official status.

00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.980
 They couldn't get

00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.740
 a driver's license.

00:25:39.840 --> 00:25:40.480
 They couldn't even open

00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.160
 a bank account

00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.740
 in their name.

00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.559
 But after getting

00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:45.259
 resettled in the U.S.,

00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.740
 they broke down in tears

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:48.099
 when they first received

00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:49.319
 their official documents

00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:50.279
 naming them

00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:52.180
 and recognizing their name.

00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:54.000
 And the father of the family,

00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.000
 speaking on behalf

00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.440
 of the other Rohingya people

00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:56.839
 as well,

00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:58.180
 said to an interviewer,

00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:59.599
 for the first time

00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.460
 in 100 years,

00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.380
 we can say,

00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.599
 we have a land,

00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:04.000
 we have a home,

00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.759
 we have a name.

00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:08.279
 We take our names

00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.140
 for granted,

00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:10.900
 but having a name

00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.880
 is no small thing.

00:26:13.080 --> 00:26:13.940
 When a wife

00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:15.820
 takes on her husband's surname

00:26:15.820 --> 00:26:16.420
 and declares,

00:26:16.620 --> 00:26:18.560
 I am one flesh with him,

00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.720
 it's not insignificant.

00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.900
 When an adopted child

00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:24.320
 takes on the family name

00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:24.820
 and declares,

00:26:25.060 --> 00:26:26.160
 I am now a member

00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.300
 of this family,

00:26:27.820 --> 00:26:28.900
 it's not insignificant.

00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.280
 So likewise,

00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.600
 a convert to Christianity

00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:32.320
 is baptized

00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:33.600
 in the name

00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:34.180
 of the Father

00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.860
 and of the Son

00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.660
 and the Holy Spirit.

00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:37.300
 They take on a new name,

00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:38.360
 a new identity,

00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.259
 and they belong

00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.279
 to a new family.

00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:42.899
 Baptism is the Christians

00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:44.759
 planting his or her flag

00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.319
 in the ground.

00:26:46.479 --> 00:26:47.539
 Why do armies

00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:49.799
 carry a cumbersome flag

00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.339
 into battle?

00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.299
 It's not merely

00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.419
 for visual communication

00:26:53.419 --> 00:26:55.059
 to provide a rallying point.

00:26:55.439 --> 00:26:56.859
 It's a point of pride

00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:58.000
 and identity.

00:26:58.459 --> 00:26:59.379
 It's about morale

00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.419
 and honor.

00:27:01.219 --> 00:27:02.500
 So a Christian declares

00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.259
 his allegiance

00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.319
 by getting baptized

00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.279
 in the name

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.819
 of the Father

00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.559
 and of the Son

00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.479
 and of the Holy Spirit.

00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:09.140
 I pledge my allegiance

00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:10.079
 to a new king.

00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:12.099
 I renounce all other lords

00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:12.980
 and I belong

00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.920
 to Jesus Christ.

00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.920
 If you're a part

00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:16.720
 of the king's army,

00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:17.640
 you have to play,

00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.740
 you have to fly

00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.700
 the king's flag.

00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.240
 I've heard

00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.400
 Pastor Alistair Begg

00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:23.940
 say once,

00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:25.079
 there is no such thing

00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:26.099
 as a secret disciple.

00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:28.000
 Either the secrecy

00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.319
 will kill the discipleship

00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.700
 or the discipleship

00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.920
 will kill the secrecy.

00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:34.160
 Making disciples

00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:35.299
 involves going

00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.500
 and making disciples

00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.879
 involves baptizing

00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:39.740
 people from all nations

00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:41.099
 joining the one kingdom

00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.940
 under the lordship

00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.899
 of Jesus Christ.

00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.200
 Jesus continues

00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.000
 in verse 20,

00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.500
 teaching them

00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.319
 to observe all

00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:49.559
 that I have commanded you.

00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.319
 All authority,

00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.259
 all nations,

00:27:52.419 --> 00:27:53.200
 all commands.

00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.700
 Making disciples

00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.879
 involves teaching.

00:27:56.419 --> 00:27:56.819
 Why?

00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.720
 Because the very word

00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.700
 disciple in Greek

00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.619
 means learner,

00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.980
 a student,

00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:03.319
 an apprentice.

00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.220
 Jesus is telling

00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:06.140
 his 11 disciples

00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:07.640
 to make disciples

00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:08.599
 and that means

00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:10.240
 Jesus is saying

00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.579
 to them,

00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.779
 replicate yourselves.

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.059
 You are my disciples.

00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.680
 Now go and make disciples.

00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.180
 Replicate yourselves.

00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.839
 Bring others

00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.759
 to follow me

00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.620
 and learn from me

00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.480
 the way you have done

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.299
 up to this point.

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.759
 This is why

00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:24.279
 discipling doesn't have

00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:25.759
 to be overly complicated.

00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.640
 If you are a Christian,

00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.559
 by definition,

00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:30.319
 you understand the gospel

00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.359
 and that means

00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.379
 you can share the gospel

00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:33.279
 with non-Christians.

00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.740
 You don't need

00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.599
 a seminary degree

00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.159
 for that

00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:37.879
 and you can invite

00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:38.599
 non-Christians

00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.200
 or Christians

00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.779
 who are younger

00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.399
 in the faith

00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:41.839
 than you

00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.939
 to do a Bible study

00:28:42.939 --> 00:28:43.359
 with you.

00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:44.659
 Start small.

00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.720
 Start with one book.

00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.639
 We just went through

00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.319
 the Gospel of Matthew.

00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.720
 We're in the last passage

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.379
 of the Gospel of Matthew.

00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:51.740
 You can go through

00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.359
 the Gospel of Matthew

00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:52.740
 with them.

00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.740
 You go through

00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:56.039
 the Sermon on the Mount

00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.859
 maybe if you want

00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.679
 to do a shorter study

00:28:57.679 --> 00:28:58.039
 with them.

00:28:58.659 --> 00:28:59.460
 If you forgot

00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.039
 what you learned

00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.440
 well,

00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.180
 very conveniently

00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.980
 all the sermons

00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.519
 are recorded

00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.019
 and posted

00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.639
 on our website.

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:04.960
 You could use it

00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.480
 as a reference

00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.359
 and as a resource.

00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:09.579
 You open up

00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:10.279
 the Word together.

00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.200
 You teach them

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.039
 what you're learning

00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.599
 from God.

00:29:12.899 --> 00:29:13.700
 What you've learned

00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:14.220
 in church.

00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:17.039
 And then pray with them.

00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:17.579
 You open up

00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.379
 your heart to them.

00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:19.859
 Show them

00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.680
 how you are following

00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.599
 Christ in your life.

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.920
 Be an example

00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.379
 for them.

00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.099
 That's how you make

00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:26.319
 disciples of Jesus Christ.

00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:29.740
 And remember

00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.279
 that you are not

00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.899
 making disciples

00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:31.559
 of yourselves.

00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.119
 You are making

00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:34.539
 disciples of Jesus Christ.

00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.819
 You are not making

00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:38.099
 disciples of Sean Wu

00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:39.139
 or Ed Kang either.

00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.779
 You are making

00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:42.359
 disciples of Jesus Christ.

00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.619
 They are to observe

00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:46.079
 all that Jesus

00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:47.079
 has commanded them.

00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:49.119
 If you are not

00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:50.319
 learning and obeying

00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:50.919
 the commandments

00:29:50.919 --> 00:29:51.779
 of the Lord Jesus,

00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.819
 you are not a disciple

00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.439
 of Christ.

00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:56.019
 In John 8, 31,

00:29:56.139 --> 00:29:57.279
 Jesus said to the Jews

00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.619
 who had believed him,

00:29:58.679 --> 00:29:59.059
 he says,

00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.919
 if you abide in my word,

00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.899
 you are truly

00:30:02.899 --> 00:30:03.740
 my disciples

00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:05.079
 and you will know

00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.559
 the truth

00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.079
 and the truth

00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.899
 will set you free.

00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.579
 Apparently,

00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.319
 some of these Jews

00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:11.759
 who had believed

00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.579
 in Jesus

00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:14.200
 are not truly

00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.859
 his disciples.

00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.000
 Why not?

00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:18.339
 Because they do not

00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.379
 yet abide in

00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:20.819
 or remain in

00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.659
 or hold on

00:30:21.659 --> 00:30:22.299
 to his word.

00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.399
 They are not

00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:24.079
 observing

00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:25.500
 all that he

00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.319
 has commanded them.

00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:27.919
 Whoever does not

00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:29.019
 bear his own cross

00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.779
 and come after me

00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.939
 cannot be my disciple,

00:30:31.079 --> 00:30:31.539
 Jesus said

00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:33.119
 in Luke 14, 27.

00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.819
 And Jesus doesn't say

00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.939
 teach them to observe

00:30:35.939 --> 00:30:37.240
 some of what

00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.759
 I have commanded.

00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.500
 No, he says

00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.419
 obey

00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:42.000
 all that I have

00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.579
 commanded you.

00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.460
 We don't get

00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.319
 to pick and choose.

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.139
 We're so used

00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.619
 to laws

00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.279
 that we can

00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.740
 keep selectively

00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:50.019
 but God's commands

00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.659
 are not like

00:30:50.659 --> 00:30:51.460
 those human laws.

00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:53.120
 And these are

00:30:53.120 --> 00:30:54.059
 divine commands

00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:55.539
 not mere suggestions.

00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.759
 Sometimes I see

00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.539
 Christians act

00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.980
 like biblical commands

00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.079
 are mere suggestions

00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:02.539
 that you only need

00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:02.940
 to follow

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.720
 when it's convenient

00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:05.019
 for yourself.

00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:07.279
 And their behavior

00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:08.019
 proves that they

00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:09.220
 do not truly submit

00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:10.299
 to the lordship of Christ.

00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.860
 They're still trying

00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:12.720
 to be their own lords.

00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.420
 You might say

00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:14.980
 that you believe

00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.380
 in Jesus

00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.059
 but if you are not

00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:17.360
 abiding in his word

00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.959
 and if you are living

00:31:18.959 --> 00:31:19.740
 in willful

00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.759
 disobedience

00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.699
 to his commands

00:31:21.699 --> 00:31:22.759
 then you are not

00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.500
 his disciple.

00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:25.619
 God is not looking

00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:26.159
 for mere

00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:27.399
 one time converts.

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.219
 He's looking for

00:31:29.219 --> 00:31:30.079
 lifelong

00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:31.579
 mature disciples.

00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.079
 Love the Lord

00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.519
 your God

00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.639
 with all your heart

00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:37.199
 and love your neighbor

00:31:37.199 --> 00:31:37.899
 as yourself.

00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.559
 Do unto others

00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.179
 what you would have

00:31:40.179 --> 00:31:40.959
 them do to you.

00:31:41.699 --> 00:31:42.779
 Rejoice and give thanks.

00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.859
 These are all commands

00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.619
 that we must obey.

00:31:44.719 --> 00:31:45.199
 These are all

00:31:45.199 --> 00:31:46.219
 important commands

00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:47.180
 frequently repeated

00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:47.680
 in scriptures

00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:49.640
 but we also must

00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:51.500
 not confuse this

00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.519
 with the great commission.

00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:54.180
 We must not lose

00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.740
 our focus

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.500
 on our mission.

00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.259
 These commands

00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.299
 are the things

00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.740
 that we must teach

00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.980
 the disciples

00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:02.600
 to observe and obey

00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:04.019
 but that's not

00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.940
 the great commission.

00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.700
 That's not the mission.

00:32:07.640 --> 00:32:08.279
 Our mission is

00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.460
 to make disciples

00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:10.299
 who obey

00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:11.120
 all these commands.

00:32:12.620 --> 00:32:13.720
 Maybe you're taking care

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.620
 to obey these commands

00:32:14.620 --> 00:32:15.420
 in your own life.

00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.420
 But are you making

00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.180
 disciples

00:32:18.180 --> 00:32:19.059
 who are obeying

00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.720
 these commands

00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.900
 and teaching them

00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.539
 to do the same?

00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:23.600
 If you are not

00:32:23.600 --> 00:32:24.759
 making disciples

00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.480
 then you are not

00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.660
 obeying the great commission.

00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.700
 This mission

00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.720
 that Christ has given us

00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.460
 has a narrow

00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.799
 and specific focus.

00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.339
 You start calling

00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:34.140
 everything a mission

00:32:34.140 --> 00:32:35.400
 then nothing becomes mission.

00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:37.039
 We have a mission

00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.220
 and that is to make

00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:39.779
 disciples of Jesus Christ.

00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:42.620
 And then he says

00:32:42.620 --> 00:32:44.480
 my fourth and last point

00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.120
 all the days

00:32:45.120 --> 00:32:45.700
 in verse 20

00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.680
 teaching them to observe

00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:48.200
 all that I have commanded you

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.339
 and behold

00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.799
 I am with you

00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:52.599
 always to the end

00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.259
 of the age.

00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.259
 How do we know

00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.200
 that this command

00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:57.099
 was intended

00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:58.700
 for all of Jesus' followers

00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.640
 and not only for

00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.519
 the twelve?

00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:02.099
 Not only for the eleven

00:33:02.099 --> 00:33:02.539
 that are here

00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.680
 because Jesus is speaking

00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.920
 to the eleven apostles here.

00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:06.779
 How do we know that?

00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:09.120
 Because the scope

00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:09.940
 of the command

00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:12.320
 and what Jesus promises here

00:33:12.320 --> 00:33:13.460
 goes beyond

00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:14.000
 the lifetime

00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:15.279
 of the original apostles.

00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:16.620
 He says

00:33:16.620 --> 00:33:17.860
 behold I am with you

00:33:17.860 --> 00:33:19.080
 always to the end

00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:19.820
 of the age.

00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:20.620
 The end of the age

00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:21.180
 is not here.

00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.400
 And Jesus said

00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:25.460
 in John 17

00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.200
 he prayed

00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:27.180
 for his disciples

00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:28.500
 as you sent me

00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.039
 into the world

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:30.299
 so I have sent them

00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:31.000
 into the world

00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:32.240
 and for their sake

00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:33.539
 I consecrate myself

00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.700
 that they also

00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:36.120
 may be sanctified

00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:36.640
 in truth.

00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.160
 I do not ask

00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:39.000
 for these only

00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:40.060
 but also for those

00:33:40.060 --> 00:33:41.120
 who will believe in me

00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:42.200
 through their word

00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.980
 that they may all be one

00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:44.960
 just as you

00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:46.040
 Father are in me

00:33:46.040 --> 00:33:46.779
 and I in you

00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:47.680
 that they also

00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.480
 may be in us

00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.279
 so that the world

00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:49.840
 may believe

00:33:49.840 --> 00:33:50.900
 that you have sent me.

00:33:51.660 --> 00:33:52.480
 Jesus sent out

00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.040
 his disciples

00:33:53.040 --> 00:33:54.500
 but he's not

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:55.560
 sending them only.

00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:56.800
 He prays not only

00:33:56.800 --> 00:33:57.180
 for them

00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:58.440
 but also for all

00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:59.000
 those who will

00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.900
 believe in him

00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:01.880
 through their word.

00:34:02.540 --> 00:34:04.660
 All the subsequent

00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:05.800
 following generations

00:34:05.800 --> 00:34:06.580
 of Christians

00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:08.179
 we are all sent out

00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:09.179
 with the same task

00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:09.980
 the great commission

00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:11.579
 and that promise

00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.519
 still stands.

00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.819
 It's not so much

00:34:14.819 --> 00:34:15.299
 a promise

00:34:15.299 --> 00:34:16.239
 as it is a reality

00:34:16.239 --> 00:34:16.920
 and a fact.

00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.199
 Jesus says

00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.860
 I am with you

00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:21.279
 to the very end

00:34:21.279 --> 00:34:21.679
 of the age.

00:34:21.779 --> 00:34:22.980
 I am with you

00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.400
 always

00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:23.920
 to the end

00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:24.519
 of the age.

00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.500
 When you share

00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:26.920
 the gospel

00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:27.539
 with your neighbors

00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:28.319
 when you are

00:34:28.319 --> 00:34:28.900
 persecuted

00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:29.500
 reviled

00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.279
 and ridiculed

00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:30.960
 and imprisoned

00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:32.000
 for his name's sake

00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.519
 Jesus says

00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:33.659
 I am with you

00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:34.179
 always

00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:35.099
 to the end

00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:35.699
 of the age

00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:36.859
 and is that

00:34:36.859 --> 00:34:37.480
 authority

00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:38.219
 the bookends

00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:38.859
 the authority

00:34:38.859 --> 00:34:39.539
 all authority

00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.439
 that Jesus has

00:34:40.439 --> 00:34:41.659
 and the promise

00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.559
 that he will be

00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:42.899
 with us

00:34:42.899 --> 00:34:43.919
 all the days

00:34:43.919 --> 00:34:45.500
 that helps us

00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.679
 the weak

00:34:46.679 --> 00:34:47.859
 and frail we are

00:34:47.859 --> 00:34:48.659
 like the disciples

00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:49.319
 who doubted

00:34:49.319 --> 00:34:50.619
 to still go

00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:51.599
 and share the good news

00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:52.419
 of Jesus Christ

00:34:52.419 --> 00:34:54.259
 with all the nations.

00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:55.839
 Let's pray

00:34:55.839 --> 00:34:57.099
 that God would help us

00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:57.519
 to do that.

00:35:00.319 --> 00:35:00.879
 Father

00:35:00.879 --> 00:35:03.119
 empower us

00:35:03.119 --> 00:35:03.839
 with your spirit

00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:05.860
 embolden us

00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:06.260
 to share

00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:06.700
 the good news

00:35:06.700 --> 00:35:07.519
 of Jesus Christ

00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:09.780
 show us

00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:10.539
 teach us

00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:11.340
 how to make

00:35:11.340 --> 00:35:11.760
 disciples

00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:12.740
 all around us

00:35:12.740 --> 00:35:16.920
 that King Jesus

00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:17.840
 may be recognized

00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:18.380
 everywhere

00:35:18.380 --> 00:35:21.120
 that from all

00:35:21.120 --> 00:35:21.539
 tribes

00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.079
 and peoples

00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:22.640
 and nations

00:35:22.640 --> 00:35:23.579
 and tongues

00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:25.400
 Jesus name

00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:26.220
 might be confessed

00:35:26.220 --> 00:35:27.600
 that he might be

00:35:27.600 --> 00:35:28.039
 worshipped

00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:28.780
 and glorified

00:35:28.780 --> 00:35:31.000
 Lord may

00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:32.059
 our discipling

00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:33.699
 lead to your worship

00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:35.639
 among all the nations

00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.360
 in Jesus name

00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:36.719
 we pray

00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:37.659
 Amen