Empowered for mission. 

Matt.28:16-20

By: Ysrael De la Cruz

As followers of Jesus, we often forget what our mission in this world is.

Some Christians today are ignorant of what Jesus has called his church to do in this world.  It was after the resurrection that Jesus gave his followers his final instructions.  Jesus’ final words to his disciples highlighted the mission he wanted them to accomplish.  Jesus’ mission is your mission if you consider yourself a follower or disciple of him.

Matt.28:16-20

-They saw the risen Messiah and worshiped him.

A Christ-empowered mission (v.18)

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  He is in charge in heaven and on earth.  The apostles and every follower of Jesus has been authorized by Jesus himself to accomplish this mission. All authority belongs to Jesus.

Rom.14:9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.  All authority belongs to Christ.

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Php.2:10-11  All authority belongs to Jesus.

Jesus commissioned, or we can say authorized or commanded his disciples to his mission.  Make disciples of all nations.  This is a Christ-empowered, Christ-authorized mission.

Therefore, Go and make disciples. (As you go, where life takes you, make disciples)  Go multiply yourselves.  Disciples are commanded to make more disciples, to multiply themselves.  As you go, where life takes you as a follower of Jesus, multiply yourself.  Help others to become followers of Jesus.  Guide others to a relationship with Jesus.

What is a Disciple? a follower (one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. Merriam-Webster). A disciple is a learner, a student, a follower.

The mission is global or universal.

Make disciples of all nations (make disciples of all ethnicity, people groups, nationality.)  This mission breaks the walls of prejudice and racism.  You see a true follower of Jesus breaks cultural and racial barriers for his mission transcends culture and race and language.

 All nations!  It includes people from all over the world, all walks of life.  The word here for nation is ethnos (ethnicity).  God is calling people from all ethnicity to become his followers.  In God’s central plan, everyone matters; he wants every person to become his follower.  God gave his Son to save everyone. He does not want anyone to be condemned and he is sending his followers to make more followers.  Jesus wants everyone in the world to hear the good news and place their trust in him.  The great multitude in heaven. Rev.7:9

Authorized and empowered to God’s global mission in the world.

Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of The Son and of the Holy Spirit. (v19) Why baptism?

a) Jesus commanded us to do it. This task has been appointed to us by Jesus himself. “All authority” is his, he is in charge)

b) Every disciple was baptized. Baptism was the sign that showed people were truly committed as followers of the one in whom you were baptized.

Baptism is a public declaration that we have accepted Jesus and are turning our back on the old life of sin and are now trusting Jesus to live a new life as his followers.

Every believer in Jesus was baptized (immersed in water) in the name of the Triune God, the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

The apostles preached repentance and baptism. Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized all of you in the name of the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:41  Those who believed the message were baptized and joined their number.  This is how people became disciples or followers of Jesus.

Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ.  Rom. 6:3-4 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

It reminds us of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.  The gospel re-enacted.

Gal.3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Baptizing them and teaching them everything I have commanded (v.20)

Jesus commanded his disciples to teach others everything he has commanded.  To teach others what Jesus has taught.  Not just some things, everything.

As a follower of Jesus, if you are not learning his teaching and teaching others then you are not fulfilling his mission.  Disciples are learners, students of Jesus who pass along Jesus’ teaching to others.

The first century disciples were committed to Jesus’ teaching.  Jesus taught the apostles and they taught others.  Disciples making disciples, who make disciples…. (Multiplying themselves)

The first century disciples devoted themselves to the teachings of the apostles. Acts 2:42

There are so many people today who consider themselves disciples of Jesus, but their lives do not reflect the teachings of the one they claim to follow.

So many Christians do not attempt to learn the Word of God.  Therefore, they do not even know what they believe because they  themselves do not know God’s word or instruction.  The writers of the New Testament always encouraged the church to continue to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord.  If you do not know what Jesus taught, how will you disciple others?  How would you teach others?

We have been authorized and empowered to baptize and teach the gospel to other people.

To make disciples is the mission of the church; it is the mission of every Christian today.  You and I have been empowered by Christ himself to accomplish a global mission that starts right where you are.  Where life takes you, be Christ’s missionaries.

Empowered by his presence. “ I am with you always” (Jesus promised his presence with us until the end of the age).  We have learned that his presence makes us successful in everything we do; his presence is our greatest weapon.  He will be with us every step of the way; he will not leave us or forsake us in this mission.  He is going with us.  The Lord of Lords and King of kings is with his people to accomplish this global mission.

All authority belongs to Jesus and he is calling you and me and make disciples in this world; he is calling us to multiply ourselves; to introduce Jesus to others.  This is our mission until he comes again.  How are you influencing others with the gospel of Christ?