The Great Mission

As Christians, we are all given the responsibility to tell others about our Lord an all He has done for us. (see Mark 5:18-20; Psa 66:16)  However, the Lord has given His local assembly of believers added responsibilities as we minister for Him.  What are those responsibilities?  How important are they? 



In this lesson, we all be looking at the mission the Lord has given to His local assemblies on earth.

THE SCRIPTURES:

Matt 28:16-20 (KJV)

16) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

THE STUDY:

As we begin our study of the responsibilities given to the local assemblies of Christ, it is important to notice to whom the Lord is speaking…

Matt 28:16-20 (KJV)

16) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Here, we find the eleven apostles (the twelve minus Judas) meeting with the Lord.  They were meeting with Him on the mount, separated from the great multitudes that had been following Him.  These apostles, were the very beginning foundation of the Lord’s local church with Jesus, Himself, being the cornerstone of that assembly. 

Our Lord clearly taught this principle in the writings of Paul to the local church at Ephesus…

Eph 2:19-22 – “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.     

(see also Matt 21:42-45; Roms 9:33; 1 Pet 2:7-8)

18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

As the Lord begins to address the very beginnings of His local assembly on earth, He reminds us that He is the one that possesses the power (authority) of God Himself.  The word for “power” does not speak of physical strength… it speaks of authority.  Jesus possesses all authority over both the physical and spiritual creation of God. (1 Peter 3:21-22)

Our Lord Jesus has the right to tell us what He would have us to do for Him.  He is our Creator (John 1:1-4), He is our Redeemer (1 Pet 1:18-21) and, therefore, He is our Master (Rom 9:20-21, 1 Cor 6:19-20).    

The Lord now turns our attention to the three great responsibilities He has given to His local assemblies….

19) Go ye therefore,

Here, we are told to “go”.  This sums up the local church’s responsibility.   We should not expect the lost world to come to us and join us in the cause of Christ.  We are to go forth into the lost, and spiritually dead, world fulfilling the great responsibility we have been given.  (Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47-48)

As we go into the world we should be going with the authority, power and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ… our warfare is to be by Him, and for Him, not through the carnal means of a sinful world (2 Cor 10:3-5)

As the local church ministers among the lost world their goal should be three-fold:

and teach all nations,

The word for “teach” here is a Greek word that means “to evangelize”, in other words to take the gospel message to those who are unsaved. 

The first goal of the local assemblies is to take the gospel to the lost (through our words and actions), (Rom 10:13-17; Rom 16:25-26; Acts 26:16-18) and then pray for them, that Christ might bring them to Himself. (Psa 68:20, 2 Tim 2:24-26). 

baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Following their receipt of salvation, we are to immerse in water those who have believed.  This is the public declaration of what the Lord has done for them. It pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.  It also pictures the believer’s death to sin and new life in Christ. (Rom 6:3-5, Col 2:12-15)

Once baptized, the believer is eligible to become the member of the local assembly.  

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

The word for “teach” in this verse is a word that means “to indoctrinate”, or “to teach”.  This local church responsibility involves instructing those who are members of the church. 

We are to teach church members the practical and doctrinal truths of God’s Word.  This involves teaching the Word in its entirety.  (2 Tim 4:1-5, 2 Tim 3:16-17)

Note this instruction involves the practical application of His Word to member’s life (“teaching them to observe…”)

and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Lord is promising to accompany the local church as its ministers for Him on earth.  (Matt 18:20, Rev 1:11-13)  It is only through His enabling and intervention that the church can fulfill its mission for Him. (Matt 10:16-20, 1 Pet 1:12, 1 Cor 1:18-24, Rom 1:16)

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

For those who have trusted in Christ.

As believers, our Lord would desire for us to be scripturally baptized and then to join a Bible believing church.  During our time of church membership, we are to be instructed from His Word, and then to live out these truths as faithful servants of Christ.

For those who have never trusted in Christ.

If you have never trusted in Christ as your Savior… the first priority of your life should be to search the Scriptures, recognize your sin and the True Savior, Jesus Christ.  Turn from your sin, trust in Christ and His work as the basis of your salvation and accept Him as Lord of your life.  It is only after you have trusted Christ that you can follow Him in baptism, church membership and faithful service to Him.

If you have any questions concerning the way of salvation please feel free to visit or call a Bible teaching church in your area.  They will be happy to speak to you about the Lord Jesus and the salvation He graciously gives.

Or, if you would rather, feel welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com.  I’ll be more than happy to answer any question you may have. 

Also, if you look at my blog page “How To Have A Relationship With God”.  On this page, you will find several blog entries explaining the way of salvation.

Please visit the “Settled In Heaven Ministries” homepage – http://www.settledinheaven.org

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www.settledinheavenbibleblog.posterous.com

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To see this lesson taught on video please go to my Video Blog at  http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven

If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com.    I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.

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 May the Lord bless your study of His Word.  Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”