INTRODUCTION - JESUS MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE APOSTLES -(v.16)- AND GAVE THEM UNLIMITED POWER

• Jesus gave them a Challenging Command- and a grand & glorious promise of great power!
• They worshipped him- but some doubted (v.17) and so today we miss the great power offered
• Greater than any other time- we need this power, and are defeated without it-

How can we have the power of the presence of the Almighty Christ today?

I. THE COMMAND - GO! - EVANGELIIZE, MAKE DISCIPLES

This is the Great Commission- Command- not the 10 Commandments, or earlier great Command-

"GO YE THEREFORE" - ALL NATIONS, TO EVERY CREATURE, Matt 28:19, Mark 16:15

• We have developed a Cloistered Religion- not a vibrant, living, powerful faith- what is wrong?
• We would all go- for great adventure across water; when we cannot- we send our money! ??
• But this means everyone MUST go- right here to neighbors, friends, PTA, Unions, Politics, etc.

JESUS SAID "TEACH, PREACH THE GOSPEL, BAPTIZE, " AND WE HAVE NOT OBEYED UNTIL WE DO!

• Our entire purpose centers on making contacts for Christ- presenting the Gospel- of Christ
• The message is Rom 1:16 the Power of God unto Salvation- Our job is to witness-, tell all
• This must lead to Baptism - an open confession of the trinity- so do not forget DOCTRINE

ALSO "TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU:" - v. 20a

• This involves teaching ALL the word of God- this takes organization, Baptist Distinctives
• This involves Consecration- the Love of God - piety, respect, worship, other worldliness.
• We need the cooperative work of a church to cover every Bible truth- but it must be done!

This is God's Command to every Christian- and don't claim to be a "little Christ" and be disobedient

II. THE PROMISE "LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY" - 20b

The Lo of Isaiah 6:6,7 is the empowering that made Isaiah the great prophet of God - today?

"LO, I AM WITH YOU" THE TENDER PRESENCE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

• The presence of Jesus is the power and Glory of Almighty God with this we can face anything
• This power does not give peace, tranquility, ease, personal glory, enjoyment, authority-etc.
• This power does give glory to the martyr, power to the preacher, grace to sinner,-joy to all

"ALWAYS" THE UNCONDITIONAL PRESENCE THAT WE CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON TO BE WITH US

• This promise is unconditional- Gal 2:20 -Christ in me - When you are saved, the Lord will always be with you
• But sometimes we are weak- Rom 7:19- When I would do good- evil is present with me- weak
• But sometimes powerful- Eph 1:19- finding out what is the greatness of His power to usward

THERE IS NO GLOW IN THE LO WITHOUT THE GO!  - A TONGUE TWISTER THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT!

• We can get our batteries charged at Church- but we have no command to shine bright here!
• While we are trying to outshine here- the world is in darkness- blind, helpless-
• The real glow of the power is when we go out into the darkness- where the lost are in need!

We must attack the strongholds of Satan when we go- we can expect God's supply of Power

III. THE POWER -ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME v. 18

The power to heal the sick, cast out devils, raise the dead was just His warmup-

JESUS CHRIST HAS THE POWER TO DO ALL THINGS EVEN TO HELP YOU HAVE JOYOUS VICTORY IN LIFE

•  We face the most disastrous of all times, the power seems to be hidden, unseen among us
• Jesus can turn defeat into victory, depression to Enthusiasm, self pity to service for others
• Every Christian wants this power -  the world would buy it if it could, and we let it rust.

WHY DO WE NOT REALIZE THIS GREAT POWER THAT GOD HAS MADE AVAILABLE FOR US?

• Parents are afraid of their children, Adults of the young- teachers of students, police of criminals
• Christians are afraid they cannot stand up against the battle, so they hide in Church
• We need a staging area, not a Cloister - we need an army, not a sewing circle of old maids

HOW CAN WE REALIZE THE POWER CHAT GOD HAS FOR US, AND USE IT FOR HIS GLORY? WE MUST DO SO

• We must make sure of our own salvation- Do you know the power of Jesus in your heart?
• We must be willing to go - so constrained to share our faith, nothing can stop us - do or die
• We must proclaim Christ to every creature in Phoenix, in our neighborhoods

If you cannot see this power of God- why not experience it yourself - God has it for you

CONCLUSION - DO YOU WANT THE POWER OF THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST WITH YOU? IF YOU WANT LO, YOU MUST GO!

• If you are not saved, stop playing around- march forward in strength of faith- receive Christ
• If you are saved, but never felt power of soulwinning witness to others - words, tracts
• If you want real power- launch an assault against Satanic powers for Christ's Glory!