On Mission Matt. 27:35-37, 45-50; 28:5-10, 18-20
Nov. 25, 2007
Introduction
Our Lord realized He was on a mission while here on
this earth. We who belong to Him
must also realize while we live on this earth we are On Mission.
Our mission centers on telling
others about Him, and seeking to serve Him in every way we can. Why
should we be on a
mission? Because Christ paid the penalty for our sin, God's power
resurrected our Lord for us and Jesus planned for our
service.
1. On Mission Because
Christ . . Paid The Penalty For Sin. 27:35-37, 45-50
A. Paid The Penalty Including The . . Mockery. 27:35-37
35 After crucifying Him they divided His clothes by casting lots. 36
Then they sat down and were guarding Him there. 37 Above
His head they put up the charge against Him in writing:
THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS
B. Paid The Penalty Including The . . Misery .
27:45-49
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole
land. 46 At
about three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice,
"Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?"
that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" 47 When some of
those standing
there heard this, they said, "He's calling for Elijah!" 48 Immediately
one of them ran and got a sponge, rallying cry it with
sour wine, fixed it on a reed, and offered Him a drink. 49
But the rest said, "Let's see if Elijah comes to save Him!"
C. Paid The Penalty Including The . . Mastery . 27:50
50 Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.
In paying the price for our sin Jesus endured
the mockery and misery as He proclaimedHis mastery over death and the
grave. It is recorded earlier that Jesus told the disciples, "I
lay down my life, that I might take it again. . . . I have power to lay
it down, and I have power to take it again." Jn.10:17-18
KJV). With that kind of proclamation from our Lord why
wouldn't all Christians desire to be On Mission for Christ?
How long has it been since you watched a newer Christian on
fire for the Lord? They are exciting and
demonstrate to all of us how we need to be serving.
2. On Mission Because
God's . . Power Resurrected Jesus For Us. 28:5-10
A. On Mission Because Resurrection Power Was . .
Prophesied. 28:5-6
5 But the angel told the women, "Don't be afraid, because I know you
are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not
here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come
and see the place where He lay.
B. On Mission Because Resurrection Power Was . .
Proclaimed. 28:7-8
7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, 'He has been raised from the
dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you
will see Him there.' Listen, I have told you." 8 So, departing
quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His
disciples the news.
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C. On Mission Because Resurrection Power Was . .
Proven. 28:9-10
9 Just then Jesus met them and said, "Good morning!" They came
up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then
Jesus told them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers
to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there."
Do you
remember Jesus prophesied His resurrection even before His death? Our
text
records an angel proclaiming the resurrection occurred just like Jesus
told them it would. The angel sent the women on ahead to proclaim
the fact of His resurrection to the disciples, and
on their way Jesus appeared to them. He removed any possible doubt
about His resurrection to
these ladies as He appeared to them. Time and time again I have heard
the testimony of the Lord
removing doubts and fears through an overwhelming sense of His presence
to a troubled
Christian. Because He is the living Lord we need to be On Mission.
3. We Are On Mission
Because Christ . . Planned For Our Service. 28:18-20
A. On Mission Because Of The . . Authority Of The Plan.
28:18
18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and on earth.
B. On Mission Because Of The . . Anchor Of The Plan.
28:19
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,
C. On Mission Because Of The . . Ages Of The Plan.
28:20
20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And
remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
HCSB
Over 2,000 years ago the Lord made an
overall plan for us to be involved in mission as
He talked about the authority, anchor, and ages of the plan. If we
recognize His authority gives
us a mission, then we look for the anchoring principals of the mission,
and know through all ages
His followers will continue this mission because He is with us. If we
ask who gave us authority
to go into all the world? The answer is He did! If we ask what is the
anchor of our message? The answer comes; Make disciples! If we ask how
long must this mission continue? The
answer comes until the end of the age, and all that time He is with us!
Well then do all
Christians need to be On Mission? Amen? Amen!
