Part 1: Defining the Mission

Justin Turney

Kingdoms Collide • Sermon • Submitted a year ago

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As Jesus concluded His earthly ministry, he didn't depart until he had established the mission for His Kingdom moving forward. As we begin a series looking at what happens when Kingdoms Collide, we see the mission of Jesus defined for us. There are orders handed down, a call to focus on the right kingdom, and a reminder that there is no time to waste!

Notes

Transcript

February 5, 2023

INTRO

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 1:1–11 ESV

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

1) We have orders handed down. (28:18-20)

Directive Given by Supreme Authority

Mandate to go to all the world

Mission to make disciples

Method to teach to obey all that Jesus commanded

We need to understand that we have a purpose in God’s Kingdom.

The Great Commission is not just for the 12…its for the saved!

We are to obey all that Jesus commanded

We are to teach others to do likewise.

Who you are in Jesus is should be that you are a disciple who makes disciples.

How’s you disciple making? Are you obeying Jesus? Who are you teaching to obey Jesus?

You have your orders handed down…Will you obey or disobey?

2) Focus on the right Kingdom. (1:1-8)

We have to make sure that the focus of our lives and our concerns are for the right Kingdom...

Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God.

The disciples were concerned about the Kingdom of Israel.

Jesus calls them to focus on the bigger picture.

“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem AND in all of Judea AND Samaria AND to the end of the earth.”

Too often, you and I have our concerns set on the wrong Kingdom.

Jesus when will you make my world better? Jesus when will my circumstances change? Jesus when will you restore this nation?

Jesus says, “That not you concern…Your concern is to be my witnesses in your home AND in your job AND in your city AND in your social group AND in any other place or circumstance in this world I send you.” That’s what Jesus says to us today!

We need to think about the bigger picture.

There is a kingdom of this world that is capturing the hearts and minds of people around us and dragging them to hell and destruction.

There is the Kingdom of God that is rescuing the perishing, giving assured hope and purpose, and redirecting people to eternal life...

Which Kingdom are we focusing on? Are you seeing the bigger picture?

3) There’s no time to waste. (1:9-11)

Don’t just stand there

Jesus is coming back unexpectedly

Jesus is coming back suddenly

Do you think that for one second any of the disciples expected what took place? If they did, do you think they’d be asking about restoring the kingdom of Israel?

They probably thought that they had more time…but the angels of heaven reminded them…stop standing around...

We have to get motivated for the mission and get moving in obedience for Kingdom advancement.

CLOSING

The true people of God live on mission for the Kingdom of God.

Do you realize you’re called to be on mission?

Are you focusing your life and purpose on the right kingdom?

Are you making the most of your time?

Jesus empowers us with His Holy Spirit for His Kingdom purpose. There are two kingdoms battling for your attention, your mind, and your purpose…which one do you serve?