Mission Defined; Mission Possible
Matthew 28:16-20
Pastor Ron Poitras
Part of All In
February 17, 2020

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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 all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:16-20

1. MISSION DEFINED - MISSION POSSIBLE (16-18)

  • a. In Worship
    1. He is the risen Lord (Matt 28:8-10)

      8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” —Matthew 28:8-10


  • b. In Spite of Doubt
    1. Theories of those doubting: Some of the eleven (Matt 28:17); All of the Eleven (Matt 28:10)
    2. Associations of doubt (Matt 14:22-33)

What are the effects of doubting?
1. Lack of

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: If we doubt, we will have
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.
2. Lack of
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: If we doubt, we will have
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to accomplish the purpose God has planned for our life.
3. Lack of
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: If we doubt, we will reduce God’s purpose to
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regarding the mission and our involvement
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.

Doubt discovers difficulties which it never solves; it creates hesitancy, despondency, despair. Its progress is the decay of comfort, the death of peace. “Believe!” is the word which speaks life into a man, but doubt nails down his coffin. —Charles Spurgeon

  • c. In Authority

    1. “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt 28:18)
      • Jesus’ claim can only be made if he is God - “all authority”
      • Jesus’ Authority to forgive sin (Matt 9:6)

      6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he then said to the paralytic–“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” —Matthew 9:6

      • Jesus’ authority to reveal the Father (Matt 11:27)

      27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. —Matthew 11:27

      • Jesus’ mission is not confined by space and is universal - “earth and heaven”
      • Jesus’ Christ serves as mediator to the Father - “has been given”

How to Experience Jesus’ Authority in Your Life:
1. Faith in

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.
2. Dependence on
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.
3.
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.
4.
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.

2. MISSION DEFINED - MISSION POSSIBLE (19-20)

  • a. In Process – Jesus enables us to lead others to maturity in the faith
    1. Through the transfer of power
      • “Go therefore”, “baptize”, “teach”
    2. Through three subordinates to the mission
      • “Go” The disciples were required to leave their homeland
      • “Baptizing them to observe all that I commanded you” The natural progression of the individual having resulted from salvation
      • “teaching” Instructing in God’s Word

  • b. In Purpose – Jesus leads us to make disciples, and to dependence upon the Godhead

    1. “make disciples of all nations” - disciples making disciples
      • Salvation offered to the Jews and rejected (Luke 19:41-44; Zech 9:9).
      • Salvation offered to “all nations”

    2. With allegiance “in the name of” (Acts 4:12)

      12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” —Acts 4:12

    3. With the unity and plurality of the Godhead “Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”
      • We are not without strength

  • c. In Practice – Jesus directs us to faithfulness
    1. To be obedient to God’s Word: The Calvary Bible Church vision “To Know and Grow and Show” is critical and congruent with God’s Word.

  • d. In Presence

    1. Through Jesus’ deity - Eternal and omnipresent

    2. Through Prophecy - Immanuel-God with us (Isa 7:14; Matt 1:23)

      14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14
      23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). —Matthew 1:23

    3. Through his abiding presence (John 15:5)

      5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. —John 15:5

    4. Through the church

We can only accomplish our present responsibilities only if they reflect on the past empowerment and future presence of the Lord. —David Turner

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Small Group Questions

  1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

  2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind? This would be a great opportunity as a group to use the Ask a Pastor feature and that way we can address it either directly or in the messages in the future.

  3. How does doubt play a role in fulfilling the Great Commission in your life?

  4. Why is it important is to understand the authority of Jesus in “Mission Possible”?

  5. How does the process, purpose, practice, and presence outlined in the message (vs 19-20), help us in fulfilling the Great Commission?