Sermons on Matthew 28:18-19


The various sermons below interpret Matthew 28:18-19 with a shared emphasis on the church's mission to actively engage in discipleship and outreach. They collectively highlight the church as a welcoming and healing community, akin to a spiritual hospital, where individuals seek hope and restoration. A common thread is the call for the church to extend its mission beyond its walls, reaching out to diverse ethnic groups and emphasizing inclusivity, as seen in the interpretation of the Greek term "ethnos." Additionally, the sermons underscore the importance of teaching new believers to obey Christ's teachings, ensuring the faith is passed on to future generations. The authority of believers, derived from their relationship with Christ, is also a recurring theme, likened to a police officer's authority, which is based on position rather than personal merit.

In contrast, the sermons diverge in their focus and theological themes. One sermon emphasizes the church as a place of healing and hope, stressing the need for sensitivity to the needs of those seeking Jesus. Another sermon highlights love as the primary means through which Jesus is seen by others, advocating for intentional relationships and visible faith in action. A different sermon presents the theme of believers' authority in Christ, focusing on their position "in Christ" as the source of their authority over spiritual matters. Meanwhile, another sermon distinguishes between making disciples and making believers, emphasizing the transformative process of discipleship that requires sacrifice and commitment.

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Matthew 28:18-19 Interpretation:

Being the Church: A Mission of Healing and Hope (Hope Cathedral) interprets Matthew 28:18-19 as a call for the church to be a welcoming and healing community, likening the church to a hospital where people come seeking spiritual healing and hope. The sermon emphasizes that the mission of the church is not just to gather but to actively go out and make disciples, starting from one's own home and extending to the broader community.

Being the Church: Love, Unity, and Discipleship (Hope Cathedral) offers a unique interpretation by focusing on the Greek term "ethnos" in Matthew 28:19, which means every ethnicity. This interpretation highlights the inclusivity of the Great Commission, emphasizing that discipleship should extend to all ethnic groups without discrimination. The sermon also stresses the importance of teaching new believers to obey Christ's teachings, thus passing on the faith to the next generation.

Embracing Our Authority in Christ (RVCC Lake Elmo) interprets Matthew 28:18-19 by emphasizing the authority given to Jesus and, by extension, to believers. The sermon highlights that Jesus' authority is not just a title but a functional power that believers are called to exercise. The pastor uses the analogy of a police officer's authority, which is not based on personal merit but on the position and uniform, to explain that believers' authority is derived from being "in Christ." This interpretation underscores that the authority to make disciples and baptize is not about personal capability but about the authority vested in believers through their relationship with Christ.

Aligning Our Perspective: The True Nature of Church (ChristWay Church) interprets Matthew 28:18-19 as a call for the church to reach the world and make disciples, not just believers. The sermon emphasizes that the church's mission is to create disciples who are willing to sacrifice and follow Christ, rather than just comfortable cultural Christians. This interpretation highlights the active role of discipleship and the global mission of the church as outlined in the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:18-19 Theological Themes:

Being the Church: A Mission of Healing and Hope (Hope Cathedral) presents the theme of the church as a spiritual hospital, emphasizing the need for the church to be a place of healing and hope. The sermon underscores the importance of welcoming everyone, regardless of their background, and being sensitive to the needs of those seeking Jesus.

Being the Church: Love, Unity, and Discipleship (Hope Cathedral) introduces the theme of love as the primary means through which Jesus is seen by others. The sermon emphasizes that love is the key to discipleship and that it should be demonstrated through time and intentionality in relationships. It also highlights the importance of faith in action, showing that faith should be visible and active in the lives of believers.

Embracing Our Authority in Christ (RVCC Lake Elmo) presents the theme of believers' authority in Christ as a central theological concept. The sermon emphasizes that this authority is not based on personal righteousness but on the righteousness of Christ. The pastor explains that believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places, which grants them authority over spiritual matters. This theme is distinct in its focus on the believer's position "in Christ" as the source of their authority, rather than their own actions or merits.

Aligning Our Perspective: The True Nature of Church (ChristWay Church) presents the theme of discipleship as a transformative process that requires sacrifice and commitment. The sermon distinguishes between making disciples and making believers, emphasizing that discipleship involves a deep, personal commitment to live for Christ and to be willing to give up past habits or comforts for the sake of following Him.

Matthew 28:18-19 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Being the Church: Love, Unity, and Discipleship (Hope Cathedral) provides historical context by explaining the Greek occupation of Israel and how it influenced the language and culture of the time. The sermon notes that the New Testament was written in Greek because of this historical influence, and it highlights the cultural and religious differences between Jews and Greeks, which Philip had to overcome to introduce the Greeks to Jesus.

Matthew 28:18-19 Cross-References in the Bible:

Being the Church: A Mission of Healing and Hope (Hope Cathedral) references Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4, where Jesus declares his mission to bring good news to the poor and freedom to the captives. This connection is used to emphasize the church's role in continuing Jesus' mission of healing and hope.

Being the Church: Love, Unity, and Discipleship (Hope Cathedral) references John 3:16 to illustrate God's love for the world and John 13:35 to emphasize that love is the mark of true discipleship. The sermon also references Mark 2, where friends bring a paralyzed man to Jesus, demonstrating faith in action.

Embracing Our Authority in Christ (RVCC Lake Elmo) references Ephesians 1:19-23 and Ephesians 2:4-6 to support the interpretation of Matthew 28:18-19. Ephesians 1:19-23 speaks of the immeasurable greatness of Jesus' power and His position above all rule and authority, which is used to illustrate the authority given to believers. Ephesians 2:4-6 discusses being made alive with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places, reinforcing the idea that believers share in Christ's authority.

Aligning Our Perspective: The True Nature of Church (ChristWay Church) references several other Bible passages to support the interpretation of Matthew 28:18-19. Acts 14:23 is used to emphasize the importance of an elder-led church, while 1 Timothy 4:13 highlights the necessity of public reading of Scripture. Hebrews 3 is cited to encourage daily exhortation among believers, and Galatians 6:1-2 is referenced to stress the importance of bearing one another's burdens. These cross-references collectively underscore the communal and supportive nature of the church as it fulfills the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:18-19 Christian References outside the Bible:

Aligning Our Perspective: The True Nature of Church (ChristWay Church) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians when discussing Matthew 28:18-19.

Matthew 28:18-19 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Being the Church: A Mission of Healing and Hope (Hope Cathedral) uses the analogy of a hospital to illustrate the church's role in providing spiritual healing and hope. The sermon draws parallels between the speaker's personal experience in a hospital and the church's mission to welcome and care for those seeking Jesus.

Embracing Our Authority in Christ (RVCC Lake Elmo) uses the analogy of a police officer to illustrate the concept of authority. The pastor describes how a police officer's authority is recognized not because of personal attributes but because of the uniform and badge, which symbolize the authority granted by the state. This analogy is used to explain that believers' authority comes from being "in Christ," similar to how the officer's authority comes from their position.

Aligning Our Perspective: The True Nature of Church (ChristWay Church) uses the analogy of Twitch streaming and sports viewing to illustrate the concept of perspective. The sermon compares watching someone play video games on Twitch to watching a sports game, highlighting how perspective can change the way we view activities. This analogy is used to emphasize the importance of having the correct perspective on church and discipleship, viewing it as an active participation rather than passive observation.