Resurrection: Great Commission
A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
The great commission occurs FIVE TIMES in Scripture: in all four of the Gospels and the Book of Acts. Its repetition is significant. Of course EVERYTHING God says is significant, but something repeated 5 times shows special importance. Each of the writers is presenting this mandate of God from a different perspective, with a different purpose:
Matthew = show authority (work on Jesus’ behalf)
Mark = show results (believe and be saved; don’t and be damned)
Luke = show fulfillment of prophecy
John = show reason (our commission based on Jesus’ commission)
Acts (Luke) = show program for world evangelism
I. PREMISE
A. INDECISION
1. OBEDIENCE
Mt 28:16 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them.
(also Ephesians 4:11 . . . he (Christ) gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastor-teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry)
2. OBJECT
Mt 28:17 And when they saw Him they worshiped Him, but some wavered.
B. INFORMATION
1. OBTAINED
Mt 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”
(also Phil. 2:6-7 “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” and Col. 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church”)
2. OLD TESTAMENT
Lk 24:46 “Because it was written Messiah must suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
3. OBLIGATION
Lk 24:47 then [you] should proclaim repentance/forgiveness of sins in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
II. PROCLAMATION
A. INJUNCTION
1. OUTREACH
Mt 28:19a “Therefore, having gone,
2. OFFER
Mk 16:15 proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
B. INSTRUCTION
1. ORDER
Mt 28:19b Disciple all people,
2. ORDINANCE
Mt 28:19c baptizing them to the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
3. OBSERVE
Mt 28:20a teaching them to observe everything I’ve commanded you.”
( also Acts 20:28 “feed the flock”; Titus 2:14 “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works”; Hebrews 10:25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near”; James 4:17 “whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin”)
III. PROMISE
A. INTENT
1. OBDURATE
Mk 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever doesn’t believe will be condemned.
2. OVERT
Mk 16:17-18 And these signs will accompany those who believe- in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new languages ;they will pick up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (also Romans 10:14 . . . how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?)
B. INSPIRATION
1. OBSERVATION
Lk 24:48-49 You witnessed these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. Remain in [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on High.”
2. OATH
Mt 28:20b Behold, I am with you always, to the completion of the age.”
(also 2 Tim. 4:16,17 “At my first defense no one took my part, but all forsook me … but the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me”; John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me . . .” )