INTRODUCTION - JESUS MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIS DISCIPLES - v.16 AND GAVE THEM A GREAT COMMAND

• This Great Commission has sparked men's hearts throughout the entire age of the Church
• This is the final instruction, last will and desire, of the Lord before He left Earth
• He was saying- in view of my Authority, I commission you with full power of attorney to carry out the work that I was sent to earth to start, & continue till I return!

I. THE GREAT COMMISSION v. 19

These words cannot be removed from the sacred scripture, nor minimized in any way

A. "GO YE THEREFORE" THE ATTENTION GETTING COMMAND FROM OUR LORD BURNS DEEP INTO HUMAN HEARTS

1. GO- Anti Monasticism- there is no way this can be interpreted apart from an outreach-
2. YE- Jesus spoke to the 11, but the command rings down through the centuries to every Christian
3. THEREFORE -Because of what has gone on before- 1.-Christ's power, 2, Their Experience.

B.  "AND TEACH ALL NATIONS" (Gr. Mathéteuó) - a STRONG WORD MEANING MAKE DISCIPLES - DISCIPLINE

1. The job is Teach- make disciples- and this involves leading one way or other to full surrender
2. The scope is All Nations- some anti Foreign Aid today- bouncing into missions-cannot be!
3. The plan- Acts 1:8- explained in the Apostolic Commission- Wait for power-then go

C.  BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST!

1. What kind of Baptizing- Greek word! to dye immersion, no other way is Biblical-Death-burial-resurrection
2. In the name (singular) then the name of Trinity-3, a mystery but not impossible-faith
3. Unless you have some function in the fulfilment of the Great Commission- what purpose?

When the early Church did not willingly go - Acts 8:2,4 God helped them with persecution!

II.  SPECIFIC COMMISSION v. 20

This verse establishes the preacher, teacher, scripture reader, Sunday School, BTU, -many offices-

A.  TEACHING THEM (The Job) - HERE IS A LESSER FORM THAN V.19 THIS IS DIDASKO - to Instruct

1. The idea is to set up a class, school, use didactic methods, and to transfer information!
2. To meet this command- we have a S.S. - Total CE Work- & Throughout world- teaching missions
3. This is the basis for our Bible Schools- Colleges- to better equip people to do Lord's work

B.  TO OBSERVE (The Goal) THIS WORD IS FROM GREEK TEREO meaning to Keep

1. To watch (observe) as a spectator, as the church struggles- criticize but never help-some do
2. But to KEEP as a watchman keeps a city, to preserve, protect, and defend - this is more truth
3. To Treasure - to lovingly, obediently, sacrificially,- do as commanded,- 

C.  THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU (The Scope) This is no small item, see it well!

1. Too often the human trick is to yell loudly about one violation to cover one's own guilt-
2. There are many cults, denominations, that stress some- we try to teach all of God's word
3. For this reason we have a curriculum -S.S.- don't miss a class- it is important-

We need your help it takes us all working together to do this! We need a few more teachers

III. THE GREAT PROMISE v. 18 & 20

God does not call upon us to do a job without equipping us with sufficient power & tools

A.  "ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH" - v. 18

1. The word is authority- Jesus is the Authorized one for full action and decision!
2. Men today are afraid of authority, therefore in the world there is confusion-cross currents
3. But nothing can stand in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilling His purpose

B.  "AND LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY," 20b - OUR TROUBLE TODAY IS THAT WE TRY TO GO WITH OUT THE LO!

1. If your Christian life is dry, uninspiring, no zip & excitement- no glow- you've missed Lo.
2. The Christian walk has its hard jobs, many ministers today folding others - wanting out - hurt
3. But it is because they have missed this part of the Lord's promise- His presence-Holiness

C.  "EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD" The duration of the commandment, & promise (all the way)

1. Signs of the end are upon us- Satan cult, Wars, Peaceniks, confusion,-immorality, drugs
2. A strange wave of New Evangelism-Bit without the Church as we know it "Look! something missing!"
3. Without the promise of the Lord's presence clean through to the end- I would be afraid

I am glad that the Lord has given us such great and precious promises-

CONCLUSION - CAN YOU CLAIM THIS IMPORTANT PROMISE OF THE LORD, AND EXPERIENCE ITS POWER AND HELP?

1. You cannot unless you are Born Again- If you are not one of His- Accept Christ NOW
2. You cannot unless you have been taught-made a disciple-(personally obedient to Him)
3. You cannot unless you have exercised the GO that He has for YOU 

Are you fulfilling the Go in His command for you? If not, come and seek that personal commission!