Empowered to Fulfill the Great Commission
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound journey of Jesus from the Last Supper to the crucifixion and resurrection, emphasizing the Great Commission and the authority bestowed upon us as believers. Jesus' command to "go and make disciples of all nations" is not just a directive but a call to action that requires us to operate under His authority. This authority is not about our own power or righteousness but about the power of God working through us. The early disciples, despite being ordinary and uneducated, were able to spread the gospel across the known world because they relied on God's power and presence.
We delved into the book of Acts, where the disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, began to fulfill the Great Commission. Their journey was marked by miracles, opposition, and ultimately, martyrdom. Yet, their unwavering faith and commitment to the truth of the resurrection laid the foundation for the spread of Christianity. This legacy challenges us today to carry the mantle of the gospel with the same fervor and dedication.
The story of Peter and John healing the lame man at the temple gate illustrates the power of expectation and authority. God's power flows where He is present, where there is expectation, and where His authority is recognized. The miracle was not confined to the temple but occurred through the disciples, demonstrating that God's presence is not limited to physical spaces but resides within us.
We are called to be the church wherever we are, to live out the example of Jesus, and to share His love and truth with others. This involves inviting others into our faith communities, but more importantly, being the embodiment of the church in our daily lives. Worship plays a crucial role in this, as it invites God's power and authority into our lives, establishing His throne in our hearts and enabling us to be powerful vessels for His work.
Key Takeaways:
1. Authority in Christ: Jesus has given us His authority to carry out the Great Commission. This authority is not about our own abilities but about His power working through us. We are called to step out in faith, knowing that Christ in us is the hope of glory. [10:30]
2. Expectation of God's Power: God's power flows where there is expectation. Like the lame man who expected something from Peter and John, we must approach God with anticipation, believing that He can and will move in our lives. [16:47]
3. Presence Over Place: God's power is not confined to buildings or religious rituals. It flows where He is present, and His presence is within us. We are the vessels through which His power is manifested in the world. [15:25]
4. Living the Great Commission: We are called to be the church wherever we are, sharing the love and truth of Jesus with those around us. This involves living out our faith authentically and inviting others into a relationship with Christ. [26:37]
5. Worship as Warfare: Worship is a strategic battle plan against the enemies of our lives. It invites God's power and authority into our lives, establishing His throne and enabling us to overcome challenges and strongholds. [30:11]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:49] - The Great Commission
[06:20] - The Disciples' Journey
[08:14] - The Cost of Truth
[10:30] - Authority in Christ
[12:32] - First Miracle in Acts
[15:25] - Presence Over Place
[16:47] - Expectation of God's Power
[18:02] - The Role of Expectation
[21:15] - Recognizing Authority
[23:24] - Power and Authority
[26:37] - Living the Great Commission
[30:11] - Worship as Warfare
[33:35] - God's Power Through Us
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:18-20
2. Acts 1:3-8
3. Acts 3:1-10
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Observation Questions:
1. What command does Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20, and what authority does He claim? [02:49]
2. In Acts 1:8, what does Jesus promise His disciples will receive, and what will this enable them to do? [02:49]
3. Describe the miracle that Peter and John performed in Acts 3:1-10. What was the reaction of the people who witnessed it? [12:32]
4. How did the early disciples, despite their lack of formal education, manage to spread the gospel according to the sermon? [06:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the authority given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 empower believers to fulfill the Great Commission? What does this authority mean for believers today? [02:49]
2. In what ways does the promise of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8 relate to the authority and power believers have to witness? How does this impact the way believers live out their faith? [02:49]
3. Reflect on the story of Peter and John healing the lame man in Acts 3. What does this story teach about the relationship between expectation and experiencing God's power? [16:47]
4. The sermon mentioned that God's power flows where His presence is recognized. How can believers cultivate an awareness of God's presence in their daily lives? [15:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Jesus has given believers authority to carry out the Great Commission. How can you personally step out in faith this week to share the gospel with someone in your life? [26:37]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of expectation in experiencing God's power. What is one area of your life where you need to approach God with greater expectation? How will you do this? [16:47]
3. Worship was described as a strategic battle plan. How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine to invite God's power and authority into your life? [30:11]
4. The early disciples were ordinary people who relied on God's power. What is one way you can rely more on God's power rather than your own abilities in your current circumstances? [06:20]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of being the church wherever you are. What is one practical step you can take this week to embody the church in your workplace, school, or community? [26:37]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in a powerful way. How can you create more opportunities to experience His presence in your life? [15:25]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of inviting others into faith communities. Who is one person you can invite to your small group or church this week, and how will you approach them? [26:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Authority in Christ: Empowered for Mission
Jesus has given believers His authority to carry out the Great Commission, emphasizing that this authority is not about personal abilities but about His power working through us. The early disciples, despite their ordinariness, were able to spread the gospel across the known world because they relied on God's power and presence. This authority is a call to step out in faith, knowing that Christ in us is the hope of glory. As believers, we are invited to operate under this divine authority, trusting that God will work through us to accomplish His purposes. [10:30]
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV): "And Jesus came and said to them, '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.'"
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to step out in faith, trusting in the authority of Christ to guide and empower you?
Day 2: Expectation of God's Power: Anticipating Divine Intervention
God's power flows where there is expectation. The story of Peter and John healing the lame man at the temple gate illustrates the power of expectation and authority. Like the lame man who expected something from Peter and John, we must approach God with anticipation, believing that He can and will move in our lives. This expectation is not about demanding miracles but about having a heart posture that is open to God's intervention and presence. When we live with this expectation, we create space for God to work in and through us in powerful ways. [16:47]
Acts 3:5-6 (ESV): "And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, 'I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to cultivate a greater expectation of God's power and presence? How can you begin to do that today?
Day 3: Presence Over Place: God Within Us
God's power is not confined to buildings or religious rituals. It flows where He is present, and His presence is within us. The miracle performed by Peter and John demonstrates that God's presence is not limited to physical spaces but resides within believers. As vessels of His presence, we are called to manifest His power in the world around us. This understanding challenges us to recognize that we carry the presence of God wherever we go, and we are called to be the church in our daily lives, living out the example of Jesus. [15:25]
1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV): "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"
Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's presence within you throughout your daily activities? What practices can help you cultivate this awareness?
Day 4: Living the Great Commission: Being the Church
We are called to be the church wherever we are, sharing the love and truth of Jesus with those around us. This involves living out our faith authentically and inviting others into a relationship with Christ. The early disciples' unwavering faith and commitment to the truth of the resurrection laid the foundation for the spread of Christianity. Today, we are challenged to carry the mantle of the gospel with the same fervor and dedication, being the embodiment of the church in our daily lives and communities. [26:37]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally reach out to this week to share the love and truth of Jesus? How can you be an ambassador for Christ in your interactions with them?
Day 5: Worship as Warfare: Inviting God's Power
Worship is a strategic battle plan against the enemies of our lives. It invites God's power and authority into our lives, establishing His throne and enabling us to overcome challenges and strongholds. Through worship, we align our hearts with God's purposes and invite His presence to dwell within us. This act of worship is not just about singing songs but about living a life that honors God and invites His transformative power into every area of our lives. As we worship, we become powerful vessels for His work, equipped to face the battles of life with His strength. [30:11]
2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (ESV): "And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, 'Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.' And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed."
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine as a way to invite God's power and authority into your life? What specific challenges are you facing that you can bring before God in worship?
Quotes
1) "You know, these men and women, they brought the truth. They brought the truth of God to us, and they paid for it with their lives and with their families. And, you know, I was thinking about how every quarter we have child dedication, and for every baby we dedicate, we give them a Bible. You know, a little blue one for the boys, a little pink one for the girls. And that privilege is just common in our culture today, but that privilege was paid for by the blood and the lives and energy of countless thousands of people. And now Jesus says, now it's your job. It's mine. It's my job to take that gospel message to your generation. There's no more Justin Martyrs, Tertullian. There's no more Paul and Peter. It's just you." [08:14] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Stop and think about that for a minute. We just read they were ordinary, common people, not something special. They were uneducated, not great speakers. They were people like us. You would look at this message and you'd say, that sounds like a good message for a missionary, you know, or a pastor. But remember, these guys were fishermen. You know, they were common people. Luke was a doctor. They were ordinary folks. And yet God chose them and his power went with them. And it's our job to hold on to the gospel. They were pressured to change the story. They were pressured to deny what their eyes had seen. And yet they died so they wouldn't give up the truth. It's our job now to not let this gospel message be changed by the political shenanigans of our world today. God's word is truth. It's unchanged. And the Bible says God's word will stand when the world is on fire. We hold on to that truth. That's your job now. That's my job. And each of us has to go forward in that." [10:30] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "I want to challenge you today that God still wants us to walk in his authority. He said, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. And I want you now to take that authority and go with it and show the truth and the power of God's word. And so that's exactly what they did. We read that in Acts chapter 1, and then in Acts chapter 3, you see the first bona fide miracle of the New Testament church." [10:30] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "God's power flows where he's present. Okay. That's really simple, but I want to emphasize that because he was, the guy kept coming to this building. Okay. The crippled man and nothing was happening for him. How many of you realize that just because a building has God's name on it, it doesn't mean it has God's presence inside of it. You can have a steeple, all the religious people, a cross. God doesn't, oh, there's a cross there. I have to go. That's not how God responds. And far too many places, you house a lot of religion in those buildings, but not a lot of God's presence." [12:32] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "The lame man was at the temple gate his whole life, but he never experienced the power of God. On this day, the power of God happened outside the temple. Why is that? Well, it's because the power of God wasn't in brick and mortar. It was in Peter and John. And so Peter reached out his hand. He said, I'm going to do this. I'm going to do this. I'm going to do this. I'm going to do this. And he touched him and the man was healed. And so here's the question. Who touched that man? Peter or God? And the answer is yes." [15:25] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "The second thing is that God's power flows where there's someone who expects it, where there's expectation. Verse 5 says he looked up to Peter and John expecting something, you know. Expectation is the belief that something's about to happen. He just believed something's going to happen. And I don't think he knew what was going to happen, but that's the beautiful thing about God, is that you don't have to understand what's going on to experience what's going on. You don't have to understand God to experience God." [16:47] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "God's power flows where his authority flows. Is recognized. Something interesting about this story is John and Peter never prayed for the lame man. That's the first thing we do, right? Can I pray for you? They don't ask him for prayer if he could be prayed for. They don't ask him anything about his life. They just walk right up to him and say in the name of Jesus. We don't really use that language a whole lot, in the name of, you know, you know, if I said. Would you go get me a cup of coffee? You would be like, in the name of Pastor Jerry, I want a cup of coffee. We don't really talk like that. But in those days, that phrasing meant in the authority, in the authority of Jesus." [21:15] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "If Jesus has all authority, how much authority does the devil have in your life? This is super important for you as a believer because the reason we're not going out on the streets and sharing the gospel, the reason we're not praying over people at work or at school when they're in crisis is because we feel like we're not able or we don't have what it takes or there's something in your life that you feel like is out of order. And I'm telling you, whatever there is in your life, a sickness, an addiction, a weakness, a sin issue, that Satan has no authority in your life. No authority because Jesus has all of the authority." [21:15] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "I want to see somebody today believe for their own personal breakthrough, for God's authority. Change your life today. At the end of service, we have prayer times. We want to pray for you to see God's authority change something in your life. And really, it's not just for you. God's power is in you so it can go through you. Everything God does is so that he can minister in your life and reach through you to reach other people. That's what the Great Commission is all about. That is why Jesus begins the Great Commission by saying all authority has been given to me. Therefore. Go. I'm going to give you that authority. I've got everything you need. I'm going to put it inside of you. Now you go take it to other people." [23:24] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "Why do we come in here and just keep singing and worshiping? Well, there's something in that, in the story, Acts chapter three, that we just read. I want to read you a couple more verses of it. There's two words in there that jumped off the page at me. Verse eight. Okay. He raises him up. He prays for him or actually speaks, speaks over him, God's authority. And it says in verse eight, he jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with him into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God. and when all the people saw him walking and praising God they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had just happened." [30:11] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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