The King's Mission
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Introduction
Introduction
New dog - the challenges of housebreaking. Got dog because it doesn’t shed and intelligence. Proving to be not so smart. Asked people, watched youtube videos, etc. Lots of advice, but nothing authoritative!
Over the course of any given day, you hear lots of voices, opinions, advice, etc. How do you know who to listen to?
We believe there is one who is authoritative. Jesus doesn’t speak opinions or advice; He speaks truth.
We’re ending the Gospel of Mark by going to the Gospel of Matthew - because Matthew records the last words of Jesus after His resurrection and before His ascension. These are words we need to hear and apply.
Last week, resurrection. Today, how we live in light of the resurrection. Four realities in this passage.
Mark’s ending.
Mark’s ending.
Why not study the last verses of Mark’s Gospel? Simply put - the best evidence suggests that these last words of Mark’s Gospel are not authentically Mark’s.
Textual criticism - studies the 5000 manuscripts we have of the New Testament to determine what the original manuscripts said. The Greek manuscripts date from A.D. 135 to A.D. 1200. No originals - but we are confident that the manuscripts that exist get us very close the originals. They agree remarkably well - painstakingly copied by Christ-followers to make sure we can know that this is what the NT writers wrote.
The oldest manuscripts were not discovered until the 19th century. The oldest are considered most reliable because they put us back to the time of the biblical authors. They end at verse 8. And, the early Church Fathers the wrote commentaries on Mark’s Gospel do not mention verses 9-20. These verses probably added sometime throughout history to give Mark a “better” ending that sounded more like Matthew and Luke.
If you read, they don’t sound like what Mark wrote. Mary Magdalene and and seven demons? Sounds like a first introduction, but Mark already mentioned Mary three times in Gospel. Vs. 19 - Lord Jesus - Mark never refers to Jesus this way in rest of Gospel.
Last verses are a patchwork of what we read in the other Gospels, with exception of picking up snakes - Maybe a reference to what Paul did? And drink poison? Don’t see that in NT.
So, what did happen after resurrection? According to Matthew, guards reported to chief priests what that the tomb of empty. The chief priest paid them off to lie - desperate to protect their religion! Willing to lie! The story that circulated around Jerusalem was that the body of Jesus was stolen by His disciples. A weak story - a bunch of scared disciples getting past Roman guards?
Eleven go to Galilee, where the angel told the women that Jesus would meet them. Worship and doubt… More than 11 present? Hand’t seen Jesus. He was glorified. Didn’t look the same. Was it really Him? So much had happened. So much confusion.
Then, Jesus speaks - How significant these words are - He’s back from the dead! No doubt - He’s God - Can you imagine how much weight His words carry now, knowing that He has overcome death! What will He say?
Since Jesus lives you can rest.
Since Jesus lives you can rest.
All authority in heaven and on earth - Rome doesn’t have ultimate authority. Nor does Israel. Jesus does. Nor does Donald Trump or Kim Jong-Un or Vladimir Putin. They do not control the world, Jesus does.
- at the right hand of the Father. A place of rule - executing royal power. A place of favor - He can bring you before the Father in full acceptance. - Jesus is our advocate, our defense attorney before the Father - offering up His life for ours.
Since Jesus lives you can finally rest. Why?
Because Jesus has authority you can have tremendous confidence. If He has all authority, He will execute in this world what He desires on behalf of His people for our good and His glory. This is a good news in a politically divided nation and an evil world.
Because Jesus has authority you can have tremendous calmness. You belong to God. Nothing separates you from His love. ()
For many of us: chill out. Life’s going to be ok. God loves you, He wants to use you for His Kingdom, and He as good for you. Rest in your authoritative King knowing that it is well with your soul.
Since Jesus lives you must listen and obey.
Since Jesus lives you must listen and obey.
If Jesus is alive and has all authority He calls the shots of your life. It’s really that simple.
You have one mission: make disciples. (Main verb) That’s it! Not - make converts, build churches, fundraise for the churches, etc. But, make disciples who are fully surrendered to King Jesus and His mission.
Disciple = someone who give their full allegiance to Jesus. Christian used 3x in New Testament. Disciple used 281x in the New Testament. Disciple defines who we are and what we do.
Go = As you are going. Across the street, your job, little league practice - everywhere you are your mission is the same. Every area of influence is a platform for the mission. Part of your daily life. Of all nations = Shock to disciples. God’s plan was global - beyond Israel. () We talk about the second coming when most of the world hasn’t heard of the first!
No one exempt from the mission. No one can say, “I don’t feel called. Making disciples is not my thing. I don’t have time. I’m not a teacher, etc.”
Baptizing = First step. Evangelism - sharing our faith. Public identity with Christ. (Baptisms in Russia) Teaching = teaching people what Christ commanded. Not simply leading a Bible study, but intentional investment into your kids and others helping grow to maturity.
Are we fulfilling the mission? How many people can you point to that you can say because of your influence they are maturing followers of Jesus Christ?
You will never produce what you are not becoming. Why can’t you point to people who you have helped mature in Christ? You’ve never taken your own calling to be a disciple seriously. You will never produce when all you think about is what you want to get out of life. Other centered? Radical reorientation!
No one exempt from the mission. No one can say, “I don’t feel called. Making disciples is not my thing. I don’t have time. I’m not a teacher, etc.” Time to learn!
Dgroups - Get in one!
Since Jesus lives you can live empowered.
Since Jesus lives you can live empowered.
The great promise - you’re not doing this alone. In fact, you can’t do it alone.
- Jesus is with us when we gather.
- Jesus is with us when we go.
It’s not about your ability, but it is about your availability.
Jesus has given you everything you need to do what He has called you to do: His Word, His Church, spiritual giftedness, spiritual wisdom, and His presence.
Available? We’ve made ourselves available to lots of good things, but have we made ourselves available to the one thing that Jesus has called us to do?
What do you need to make yourself unavailable to in order to be available to what you know God wants from you?
Since Jesus lives He will finish what He started.
Since Jesus lives He will finish what He started.
“To the end of the age.” Promise - He will always be with His people.
There is an end - - As soon as Jesus ascended to the Father a promise that He would return to bring to an end what He started.
Good news for us - When the world’s history is over, Jesus will be there. He is how it’s going to end - - to bring us home from this broken world, to wipe away every tear, to make everything right, and to reward you for your faithfulness to His mission.
Christ’s call on our lives is not easy. It demands our all, it’s challenging, it’s never-ending, but it ends in victory - our victory - and victory for ever person that God has used us to bring to Christ and to help mature in the faith.
When the end of your life comes, when the end of the age comes, will you know victory? Have you given your life to the One who brings you victory by dying in your place and rising again to forgive your sins and give you new life?
Four challenges:
Own it - This morning, may be past time to change your understanding of what the Christian faith is about. Not about going to church or being a better person, but growing as a disciple and making disciples.
Become what you want to reproduce. () If someone were to imitate your faith in its present condition, what would that person’s faith look like? It’s time to start becoming what you want to reproduce in the lives of others. What will that mean for you in 2019? Change of priorities? New disciplines? Renewed desire for Christ? Or, are you going to keep on in old, sinful habits.
Stop making excuses. “I don’t have time.” “I don’t know how.” “It’s too hard.” You’re excuses simply aren’t going to hold up before an eternal God.
Start somewhere. Invite someone to church. Pray for someone who’s difficult to love. Intentionally invest in someone you know needs Christian influence. Invite a lost family over for dinner and talk to them about Jesus. Join a Dgroup. Start a Dgroup. Do something! The eternity of souls is at stake!