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The Great Commission – The Cause

1. What is the great commission?
2. Where is the great commission found in scripture?
3. Are you accomplishing your Mission?

Welcome to Redemption Church. We are a mighty Church in Plano Tx. What kind of Church is Redemption?
We are the kind of Church that believes in the mission of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself gave us a mission to reach the world. Everything we do as a church should be centered on the mission.
We are going to be talking about that mission today. Go ahead and open your Bibles to Matthew 28.
As you are turning I want to give a big Texas God bless Ya’ll to everyone watching online. We love you guys & gals. Thank you for your encouragement.
Mission? What Mission?
Jesus actually gave us a mission and far too many Christians do not know about it.
If you think the Church is about singing fun songs… you are wrong. We like to sing fun songs unto the Lord… but that is not our mission.
If you think the Church is about cool sermon series… you are wrong. We like cool sermon series that teach Biblical truth, but that is not our mission.
If you think the Church is about constructiong big buildings and filling it with church members… you are wrong again.
If you think that the Church is about convincing the other denominations that they are wrong and you are correct… you are wrong. That is not the mission Jesus gave us.
I want to ask you 3 MISSION MINDED questions today
Mission Minded

1. Do you know what your mission is?
2. Do you know where to find it in scripture?
3. Are you going to accomplish your mission?

Great Commission
Christians have been referring to this mission as the GREAT COMMISSION since a group of missionaries coined the term in the 1600s. The words “great commission” do not appear in scripture but these words accurately describe the work Jesus has called us to do.
What is a mission? A mission is a TASK, ASSIGNMENT, INSTRUCTION, DUTY, OBJECTIVE, & PURPOSE.
Jesus has given us a mission. So what is a CO-MISSION?
CO means cooperation. It is a CO MISSION, a mission together. With each other.
We cooperate with Jesus. We cooperate with each other. We COMMISSION.
Is this COMMISSION great? You bet it is.

• It is the hope for all humanity.
• It unleashes the power of God.
• It brings ultimate purpose into your life.

THE CAUSE
I read an article this week that suggested we rebrand the great commission for a new generation. They suggested THE CAUSE.
We live in a world that is running after causes. Causes gather a lot of attention and energy. Causes draw a collective of people working for something greater than themselves.
This great commission, this cause, is the cause of all causes. Whatever you wish to call it, Redemption Church we need to come together and embrace the work of Jesus Christ.
Before Jesus left Earth… Before He ascended into Heaven… He spoke some final words. He gave a final command.
Think about how important final words are. Some of you remember the final words of loved ones. You hold dear those final convcersations. We are about to look at the final conversation of Jesus before He leaves His disciples.
Jesus gave this CAUSE before he ascended. He wants it fulfilled before His return.
I asked you earlier if you know your mission. And I asked you if you know where to find this CAUSE in your Bible?
This command, commission, and cause is found times in scripture. The great commission is found in each Gospel and in the first chapter of Acts. They all read differently but point to the same mission. We are going to cross reference this passages.
Matthew 28:18 (NIV2011) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Matthew 28:19 (NIV2011) 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,
Matthew 28:20 (NIV2011) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Let’s make note of what Jesus commanded us to do.

• GO (Nations – Not just Israel)
• Make disciples/Teach
• Baptism
• I am with you/Spirit
• The Name

Turn to Mark 16.
Now let’s look at Mark’s version of the same account.
Mark 16:15 (NIV2011) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Mark 16:16 (NIV2011) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:17 (NIV2011) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
Mark 16:18 (NIV2011) they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Mark 16:19 (NIV2011) After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
Mark 16:20 (NIV2011) Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Let’s take note of what we are commanded to do in Mark 16.

• Go into all the world
• Preach (make disciples/teach) leads to BELIEF & SALVATION
• Baptism
• The Spirit’s power v 17-18 AND The Lord working with them
• The Name (In my name they will drive out demons)

Turn to Luke 24. You should be noticing patterns in these verses.
Luke 24:46 (NIV2011) He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
Luke 24:47 (NIV2011) and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luke 24:48 (NIV2011) You are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:49 (NIV2011) I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Luke 24:50 (NIV2011) When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
Luke 24:51 (NIV2011) While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Luke 24:52 (NIV2011) Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
Luke 24:53 (NIV2011) And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Let’s take note of this cause Jesus gave.

• Repentance
• Forgiveness/Remission of sins (Baptism) (Greek word – aphesis)
• Preach & Witness (make disciples/teach)
• The Name
• All nations (GO)
• The Spirit – Promise of the Father/Christ with them

Turn to John 20.
John is always interesting. He always has his own way of describing events. This is true also of the Cause Jesus gives before He ascends.
John 20:21 (NIV2011) Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
John 20:22 (NIV2011) And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
John 20:23 (NIV2011) If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Take note..

• Sent (Go into all the world)
• The Spirit/Christ with them
• Forgiveness/remission of sins (Same Greek root word from Luke 24:47 – aphiēmi)

We have one more place where Jesus gave us this cause.
Acts 1:7 (NIV2011) He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
Acts 1:8 (NIV2011) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:9 (NIV2011) After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
It is interesting that Luke is the writer of Luke & Acts and his version of the story in both writings differs and focuses on different points. Let’s take note…

• The Spirit/Christ with them
• Witnesses (Preach/teach/make disciples)
• Go/all nations/TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

This is our mission. This is our Cause. We should be fulfilling this command of Christ.
Where in your Bible is the great commission, the cause of Christ, first fulfilled?
Your new testament doesn’t just record the giving of this cause! The New Testament records the disciples accomplishing the command of Christ.
Turn to Acts 2.
Acts 2:1 (NIV2011) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
Acts 2:2 (NIV2011) Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3 (NIV2011) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
Acts 2:4 (NIV2011) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
TAKE NOTE!
The Spirit arrives and fills these followers of Christ! It happens just like Jesus said it would.
Acts 2:5 (NIV2011) Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
TAKE NOTE!
EVERY NATION is present. They were called to take this cause to every nation, to all the world.
Acts 2:14 (NIV2011) Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
TAKE NOTE!
They were called to GO! They were called to PREACH & TEACH! Peter with the rest of the apostles stands up and raises his voice! YOU MUST GIVE YOUR VOICE TO THIS CAUSE! YOU MUST STAND UP!
Acts 2:22 (NIV2011) “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
Acts 2:23 (NIV2011) This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
Acts 2:24 (NIV2011) But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
TAKE NOTE! Peter preaches Jesus! Peter speaks THE NAME OF JESUS! Peter preaches THE GOSPEL, the death, burial, & resurrection of Jesus Christ – Just like Mark 16:16 said Peter should.
Acts 2:37 (NIV2011) When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
TAKE NOTE! These people heard the gospel message and they BELIEVED. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved!
They ask Peter and the other apostles “what shall we do?” WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO!
This commission carries commands that YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING. Peter’s response is not… well if you believe then you have done everything you need to do. NO! Here is Peter’s response!
Acts 2:38 (NIV2011) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
TAKE NOTE!
REPENT!
BE BAPTIZED!
IN THE NAME!
FORGIVENESS/REMISSION OF SINS (Same Greek word – aphesis in Luke 24)
You shall receive THE SPIRIT!
Acts 2:39 (NIV2011) The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
TAKE NOTE! This promise is for every generation & nation! This promise is for you! This promise is for your family. Friends… Plano… Dallas… School… Job… YOUR CHURCH!
Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Atheists, every denomination…
Red, Yellow, Black, & White
It was the mission of the church! It still is the mission of the church.
Acts 2:41 (NIV2011) Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
3000 added! 3000 baptized! THE POWER OF GOD IS PRESENT WHEN WE ARE CONNECTED TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST!
 
MAKE THIS YOUR CAUSE
This is not just Peter & John’s cause.
This is not just your pastor’s cause.
This is not just your parent’s cause.
THIS IS YOUR CAUSE! Jesus gave it to you!
I recently talked to someone who went to do ministry at a summer youth camp. At this camp they did something they never did before. They baptized a young person. They looked me in the eye and said “Chris I didn’t know I could do that.”
Not only can you do that… you are called to do that! You are called for the cause!
You are called to GO, MAKE DISCIPLES, INVOKE THE NAME, SEE NEW BELIEVERS, LEAD PEOPLE IN REPENTANCE, BAPTIZE THEM, SEE PEOPLE BORN AGAIN BY THE SPIRIT.
These altars are open right now. Come make this your cause.
The gospel has been preached today! God’s power is present. Come receive a miracle in the 1^st 2 feet of this stage. We want to pray for you.
Come commit yourself to the cause.