The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted.

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview May 28, 2017 What Do We Do Now? Background and Lesson: Matthew 28:16-20 Motivation: Unfortunately, when many Christians think of a great commission, they re planning to complete a sale. However, Jesus charge to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 is the primary instruction to the church for these past 2,000 years. It is the reason we re still on this earth after salvation: we can worship, pray, fellowship and learn better in Heaven than on earth. But, the one thing which glorifies God that cannot take place in heaven is the fulfillment of His Great Commission. I. Worship The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. (16-17) A. Appearance When they saw Him - Combining all the gospel accounts with Paul s list in 1 Corinthians, we can find at least 10 distinct post-resurrection appearances. While this many appearances to a variety of individuals and groups rules out mass hallucination, it should be noted that each appearance was different and provoked varying reactions. For instance, on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), the two disciples did not recognize Jesus until He broke bread for dinner. In John 20: Doubting Thomas was invited to examine Jesus scars for proof of His resurrection. While Jesus had instructed the disciples to meet Him in Galilee (26:32, 28:10), He apparently walked toward them and their recognition grew as He came closer. Explore the Bible Commentary (Fall, 2008), p. 128: In the Gospel of John we find that the disciples remained in Judea for at least a week (John 20:19, 26; 21:1). The Book of Acts shows us that Jesus appeared to His disciples over a period of forty days before His ascension (Acts 1:3-9). Matthew did not include an account of these other appearances. Rather, he chose to highlight a single appearance in Galilee and a climactic word of instruction for the church. 1 / 6

2 B. Worship they worshipped Him. Matthew s theme has consistently been the Kingship of Jesus, from the Magi worshipping Him as King to Pilate placing King of the Jews on His cross. When Satan asked for worship in the wilderness temptation (4: 9-10), Jesus replied Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him, a quotation from Dt. 6:13. By worshipping Jesus, the disciples were acknowledging Him as God. By receiving their worship without rebuke, Jesus was revealing Himself as God. Per Jewish law, both were blasphemous and worthy of death; so, these actions were not taken lightly or without careful conviction. C. Doubted but some doubted. Such will be the reaction to Jesus in any assembly. Unfortunately, where two or three are gathered together, there will be more than one opinion. In any church service, some will leave with doubt and that s OK if doubters leave room to be convinced by the facts. Later in Acts we read all the believers were together (2:44). If there s no room for doubt, then faith is not necessary and without faith it s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). II. The Power Then Jesus came near and said to them, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (18) Jesus reception was based on their knowledge of Him. Some (probably led by Peter) w orshipped Him. Others doubted. (A verb that signified uncertainty or hesitancy - they didn t exactly know what to do). Jesus allayed their doubts with a reminder that all authority was given to Him. The greatest cure for our doubts is to be reminded of the power of Jesus! Hymn: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name. HCSB: p. 1672: 28:18 Before the resurrection, Jesus had authority (7:29; 9:6, 8; 11:27; 21:23). However, through the resurrection, the Father granted Him all authority over heaven and earth, an authority far greater than that which Satan had vainly promised him. (cf. also Mark 15:24; 1 Cor 15:4). The order of those appearances follows: (1) to Mary Magdalene near the tomb 2 / 6

3 (John 20:11-18); (2) to the women returning from the tomb (28); (3) to Peter (Luke 24:34); (4) to the disciples approaching Emmaus in the evening (Luke 24:13-32); (5) to all the disciples except Thomas, who was absent (Luke 24:36-43); (6) to the disciples, including Thomas, on Sunday night one week later (John 20:26-31); (7) to seven disciples beside the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25); (8) to more than 500 people possibly on an appointed mountain in Galilee (28:16-20; possibly parallels 1 Cor 15:6); (9) to James the half-brother of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:7); and (10) to the apostles at the ascension (Acts 1:3-11). A. The authority is infinite all authority. Authority is also translated as power, and points to Jesus co-equal status with God the Father. B. The authority is inclusive heaven and on earth - Going back to the account of Satan s temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (4:1-11), Jesus was promised all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor (4:8), a broad but limited authority. Here His authority is unlimited. C. The authority is instructive therefore - This is authority with a defined purpose. III. The Mission Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. (19-20a) A. The purpose is personal- you is understood in the command. B. The purpose is practical Go, therefore, and make disciples - The process of disciple making is at least three-fold: 3 / 6

4 1. Disciple making is an active process. It is go and tell, not come and hear. Obviously, preaching, classroom teaching and group activities all form a portion of the process; however, it obviously involves our going outside the walls of the church building to be difference makers in the world. 2. Disciple making is fueled, formed and founded in the local church. The command baptizing them is a local church ordinance. Parachurch organizations provide great resources to the disciple making process but will never absolve the local church of her responsibility. 3. Disciple making involves transferrable concepts teaching them to observe. In 2 Timothy 2:2 we can see four generations of disciples: Paul, Timothy, teachers, and the faithful. Teaching is validated by lifestyle change. C. The purpose is progressive of all nations (Acts 1:8; 2 Tim. 2:3-6) HCSB: p.1672: 28:19 The command to extend their mission worldwide brings to a climax Matthew s repeated theme of Gentile participation in God s salvation. The inclusion of four Gentile women in Jesus genealogy and the summons of the magi to worship the infant Christ foreshadowed the disciples mission of making disciples of all nations. Baptism marked a person s entrance into the faith community. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is a reference to the Trinity. Matthew s language shows that t a clear understanding of Jesus nature and identity as God was required before baptism. IV. The Promise (for every Go there s a lo (remember) A. The promise is authoritative I Am B. The promise is innovative with you (Heb. 13:5-6) C. The promise is demonstrative To the end of the age HCSB: p. 1672: 28:20 The Great Commission (vv ) is preceded by a reference to Jesus authority and followed by 4 / 6

5 the promise of Jesus spiritual presence among us. Both are necessary if we are to fulfill our God-given mission. Application: 1. Worship normally precedes missional activity. 2. Jesus never calls to go where He does not accompany us. 3. Every ambassador receives a narrowly defined commission. We are Christ s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) and Matthew 28:18-20 is our commission. Leader s Pack Item 8: Poster: Timeline of Jesus Last Week; Item 10: Poster: Witnesses of Jesus Resurrection ; Item 14: Poster: Matthew 28:20 No Illustrator article Notes: **You may now access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: y.org ; also, the Highpoint Bible Study (Downtown) is available on MP3 at the HFBC site under the Highpoint link/downloads. Dates: 5/29 Memorial Day (Offices closed); 6/2 Next Gen Family Night Typhoon Texas; 6 /7 Beautiful Inheritance Women s Ministry; 6/ / 6

6 Camp Intersect; 6/14 - Beautiful Inheritance Women s Ministry; 6/18 SPF Father s Day; 6/21 Camp Reflections; 6/24 Men:Serve; 6/26-29 VBS (children) & VBX (students); 7/4 Independence Day office closed. 6 / 6