In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus states that He has been given "all authority on Heaven and on Earth," and with that authority gives us our marching orders - make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy spirit, and teach them to obey everything He has commanded. But this isn’t just about His command, this is about God’s faithfulness and His desire for us to experience that faithfulness.

Let’s begin by contrasting genuine faith with mere religion:

    ⁃    Relationship vs. Religion
    ⁃    Knowledge of God/Knowing God vs. Information/Knowing ABOUT God
    ⁃    Trusting in God vs. Believing only certain things
    ⁃    Obedience because we trust God vs. Acceptance of only certain things

We are to keep on growing in faith - to know and experience Him - to follow and obey Him. In our verses today, His desire is that we not only obey, but that we teach others to obey Him.  He gives us the command to “Make disciples,” and to encourage us He gives us the promise of His faithfulness “to the end of the age.”

Jesus opens today’s teaching with “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” 
 - Authority of Jesus: Why? because of His death and resurrection, His sacrifice on the cross and His glorious triumph AND His obedience to the Father.  Thus we live in His authority, living by faith in the power and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus continues, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”
    ⁃    Priority of Discipleship:  Note that He didn’t say make church members. He didn’t say make Christians. He didn’t say make converts. He said make disciples (followers of Jesus) - build up each other in the faith.

Jesus goes on with, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
    ⁃    Unity of God: three, yet One.

And then He says, “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
    ⁃    Necessity of obedience: we are not saved by obedience, but when we know Him and are empowered but the Holy Spirit, our desire is to obey Him.

Then Jesus closes with, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
    ⁃    This is His assurance!  His promise! And this gives us strength, hope, power, encouragement and peace, because God is faithful. God is good but above al else He is faithful and God can be trusted no matter what is happening in our lives.

Pastor goes on to share a very powerful and very personal story centered on his grandfather. It is an amazing story of God’s faithfulness. (Grab a tissue…)

Our good God is calling us to walk with him, to know him more and more, to experience the fullness of His presence, His Holy Spirit and His astonishing love in Jesus ,our risen and returning Savior, the One to whom all authority has been given, the One who tells us, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..” And we can do this because He ends this Great Commission with this great promise, “ And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

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