Sermon Tone Analysis

*Matthew 28:18-20*

*The Neglected Doctrine*

 

“Jesus … said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”[1]

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harles Spurgeon, the great British Baptist preacher of nineteenth century London relates the following story about the Duke of Wellington.

“‘Is it of any use to send missionaries to India?’ a gentleman asked the Duke of Wellington.

‘What are your marching orders?’ said the Duke.

‘Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’”[2]

There was no need for further discussion.

The Great Commander had spoken, and that was the conclusion of the matter.

Indeed, those are the marching orders issued to all Christians and binding upon each individual confessing His Name throughout the entirety of the present Dispensation.

We have no business debating whether these are prudent orders or not; they are sure to be good if they come from Christ!

Our duty is to do as our Commander commands us.

Every word of Christ, if we would see Him do wonders in our midst, must be obeyed.

Not the great precepts only, but the little ones, too, must be acknowledged and obeyed.

Spurgeon continued as he spoke of required obedience to the command of Christ, “It behoves Christians to reject that cant about non-essentials of the Christian Faith.

Every command of Christ is essential to us as servants.

Being saved, and being servants of Christ, every command that comes from our great Captain is essential for those who profess to be His soldiers.

It matters not though His command appears to be merely ceremonial; we have no right to alter it.

What would the court-martial say to any soldier, who, having received an order from an officer, should say, ‘Well, I did not consider it to be exceedingly important?’

‘Drum him out of the regiment!

Sir, there is an end to all discipline in the army when soldiers criticize their orders.’”[3]

The great preacher was absolutely correct concerning Christ's law.

If Jesus commands it, obey it; and if it be the Lord's law, make haste to keep the Master’s statute.

Let the Word of God be paramount within the soul, all dissent being hushed.

However, as I survey the scope of contemporary Christendom, I see that the Great Commission is neglected by the professed people of God; it is no longer obeyed among the churches.

It requires almost two score professing Christians to bring one person to open commitment to the Faith each year, testifying to a grievous disobedience among the people of God to the Master’s command.

Perhaps the world is growing more callused toward the Faith of Christ Jesus, perhaps people are more self-centred than in years past, but */we have no excuse for failure to obey/*.

Whether anyone believes the message or whether all reject our pleas, we are commanded to disciple others, bringing them into the fellowship of the assembly of the Lord and there building them in the Faith.

*The Basis for the Commission We have Received* — Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

In the verses before us, the word */all/* occurs four times.

Jesus claims */all/* authority for Himself.

He sends disciples to make disciples of */all/* nations.

They are to teach those who are discipled to obey */all/* that He commanded.

Finally, He promises to be with those who follow Him */al/*[*/l/*] ways (lit.

“all the days”).

That first universal statement is vital for all that will follow.

When tempted by the devil, Jesus was offered all that the evil one could offer.

Matthew records the offer.

“The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me’” [*Matthew 4:8, 9*].

The devil can offer all the kingdoms of this world; for God has permitted him reign within that temporal kingdom.

However, the Son of God has received “all authority in heaven and on earth.”

The Father has given all things into the hand of the Son [*John 3:35*], and this includes “authority over all flesh” [*John 17:2*].

Jesus is both “Lord and Christ” through appointment by the Father [*Acts 2:36*].

Nothing is outside the control of the Saviour [*Hebrews 2:8*].

“Angels, authorities and powers” are subject to Him [*1 Peter 3:22*].

Because He has all authority, He is appointed to “execute judgement” [*John 5:27*].

The consistent testimony of Scripture is that Jesus has all authority.

What does it mean to us that Jesus has all authority?

What is the practical implication of this authority He possesses?

First, it means that He has freedom to do as He wills, and we know that He wills what the Father desires [*John 5:30*].

We know that the will of the Saviour is intertwined with the will of the Father [*John 6:38*].

It is the Father’s will that all who receive the Son as Master of life will be saved, and that none of them will be lost [*John 6:39, 40*].

Therefore, we know that the will of the Saviour is that all who are destined for life will come to life through faith in Him.

In the declaration that He had received all authority, is the answer to the prayer He taught His disciples.

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.”

[*Matthew 6:9-13*]

 

“Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven!”

The will of the Father is that all mankind will honour the Son.

Though at the present time we dare not say that all honour the Son, we know there awaits a day when “at the Name of Jesus every knew should bow, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father [*Philippians 2:10, 11*].

I wonder if we know the Saviour in the majestic glory that is His.

We speak of worship, but I see little sense of awe at the knowledge of His authority and might.

When John saw the Risen Son of God on Patmos, he “fell at His feet as though dead.”

The Risen Son of God is awesome!

When we review the songs of the saints in Heaven, they sing praise to the Lamb of God because He ransomed people for God and made them a kingdom and priests to God.

Now, by His authority, the redeemed shall reign on earth [*Revelation 5:9, 10*].

When Jesus returns, He will present Himself as “King of kings and Lord of lords” [*Revelation 19:16*].

The Lord will “come in the clouds with great power and glory” [*Mark 13:26*].

He promised to come “with His angels in the glory of [the] Father” [*Matthew 16:27*].

Consider what is stated.

The Risen Son of God possesses authority.

When every eye shall see Him, He will appear with great power and glory—the glory of His Father.

My point in all this is to remind you that the God we serve is awesome and mighty.

He is worthy “to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing” [*Revelation 5:12*].

Daniel informs us that when the Son of Man was presented before the Ancient of Days, He was given

 

“…dominion

and glory and a kingdom,

that all peoples, nations, and languages

should serve Him.”

He continues by testifying that

 

“His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

which shall not pass away,

and His kingdom one

that shall not be destroyed.”

[*Daniel 7:13, 14*]

 

The Son of God has received all authority.

Therefore, when He speaks we are obligated to heed His voice and do what He commands.

Listen to much of contemporary praise music and you will find yourself gravely disappointed.