- Go Ye -
Matthew 28:91

I welcome you into this month of great commission the mandate Jesus the high priest had given to us from the beginning of the world is for us all (believers) to share our faith with others. Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." He did not just send us without equipping us, in the book of Matthew 28:18. He gave us an assurance that all authority has been given unto Him and He therefore encouraged us to go in His name “Matthew 28:18 "Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go..." these calling or mandate of every believer can be divided into 4 Parts .

The Mandate: There is no higher mandate, no greater authority in heaven or earth than the authority of Jesus Christ. The Holy One who will determine the destiny of every single person in the world has commanded us to go and speak and act in His name. What a high honour to be called his ambassadors. The basis of our mandate.

The Purpose of Mandate (Matthew 28:19-20): Deep in every Christian, there is awareness that we are on this planet for purposes greater than having a career, paying the bills, loving our families, and fulfilling our roles as citizens. Even going to church and worshiping God. After all, we'll worship God for eternity in heaven. We don't need to be here on earth to do that. But there is one supreme role we can only fulfil while here on earth that will have eternal consequences. In the short time God has given us on earth, we can make an impact that will outlast us here on earth indeed will last for eternity.

The construction of this sentence shows Jesus was placing the emphasy on His strategy, to "make disciples". This was the primary task - disciple making. Everything else was subordinate, if we forget this, if we neglect this, if we ignore this we loose our mandate and we will loose God's blessing. In Acts 1:8, Jesus added, "You will be my witnesses". That is all Jesus ever calls us to be. To tell what Jesus Christ has done in history, to tell what Jesus Christ has done in our lives.

The Extent of Mandate (Matthew 28:19-20): "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... to the very end of the age." All nations - We have a world-wide mandate. All time - We have a timeless mandate but we have a strategic mandate - we start at home - in our own Jerusalem before we attempt to reach Judea or Samaria let alone the ends of the earth. Our mandate is to share the love of Jesus with those we live with, those we know.

Let’s start with one typical believer, who is learning to be a disciple of Jesus. He doesn't do anything significant in his local church. He doesn't hold any office or title; he doesn't read the lesson or teach Sunday school. What he does do however, largely unnoticed, is make friends with unbelievers. He takes an interest in their lives. He demonstrates authenticity, integrity, moral courage, compassion, empathy. The self giving love.

Jesus knew what he was talking about. He was commissioning a movement that was both radical and revolutionary, but using a strategy that is both simple and practical becoming contagious in the lives of a few family and friends. Investing our lives in a few people who in turn will invest their lives in others, everything we do as a church should be driven by this motive, judged by this strategy, shaped by this mandate - of turning irreligious people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

The Fulfilment of Mandate (Matthew 28:20): "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Who will always be with us? The one who has all authority in heaven and on earth, it is not so much that He goes with us. It is rather that we go with Him. Jesus is not like the general waving his troops off as they go into battle as he remains safe behind the lines. He commands and we obey. He leads and we follow. May the good Lord Grant us all understanding and enablement as we take up our mandate and follow Him.

Shalom!
Pastor Yomi

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